DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,644

TRUTH HARDWARE
W. HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA

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 February 25, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by the Glass, Molders. Pottery,
Plastics and Allied Workers International Union, Local 90, on
behalf of workers of Truth Hardware, West Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
The workers produce window locks.
Workers at the subject firm were certified eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance on March 11, 2003 (TA-W-50,629); that
certification expired March 11, 2005.
This investigation revealed that the subject firm increased
their reliance on imported window locks while decreasing employment
and production levels at West Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
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 articles
like or directly competitive with window locks produced at Truth
Hardware, West Hazleton, Pennsylvania contributed importantly to
the total or partial separation of workers and to the decline in
sales or production at that firm or subdivision. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:


"All workers of Truth Hardware, West Hazleton, Pennsylvania
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after March 12, 2005 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 16th day of March, 2005.

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance