DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,207

IRWIN INDUSTRIAL TOOLS
HAND TOOL DIVISION, WILMINGTON PLANT #1
A DIVISION OF NEWELL RUBBERMAID
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF AEROTEK, INC.
WILMINGTON, OHIO

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on February 9, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Irwin Industrial Tools, Hand Tool Division, Wilmington
Plant #1, a division of Newell Rubbermaid, Wilmington, Ohio. The
workers at the subject facility produce chalk marking reels and
chalk.
The subject facility leased workers from Aerotek, Inc., Mason,
Ohio.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
facility decreased absolutely in 2004.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the preponderance
of declines in employment at the subject firm is related to a shift
in production of chalk marking reels to China.
Moreover, the investigation revealed that imports of chalk
marking reels and chalk are likely to increase.
In addition, in order for the Department to issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group
eligibility requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be
met. The Department has determined in this case that the
requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive
conditions within the industry are adverse.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to China of chalk marking
reels and chalk that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Irwin Industrial Tools, Hand Tool Division,
Wilmington Plant #1, a division of Newell Rubbermaid,
including leased workers from Aerotek, Inc., Wilmington, Ohio
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after February 5, 2003 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also
eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 27th day of February, 2004

/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance