DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,850

HILL FASTENER CORPORATION
ROCK FALLS, ILLINOIS

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 (19
USC 2273), as amended, 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)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on October 22, 2004, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of the workers at Hill
Fasteners Corporation, Rock Falls, Illinois. The workers are
engaged in activities related to the production of screws.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
at the subject firm declined from 2002 to 2003, and during
January through September 2004 when compared to the same time
period of 2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of screws. This survey
revealed increases in customer imports of screws during the
relevant time period.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26
USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of its investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
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 increases of imports of screws
like or directly competitive with those produced by Hill
Fasteners Corporation, Rock Falls, Illinois, contributed
importantly to the decline in sales or production and to the
total or partial separation of workers of that firm. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Hill Fasteners Corporation, Rock Falls,
Illinois, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 20, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 22nd day of November, 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

__________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance