DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-58,259

U.S. UNION TOOL, INC.
BUENA PARK, CALIFORNIA

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), 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 November 4, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a state agency representative on behalf of
workers of U.S. Union Tool, Inc., Buena Park, California. Workers
at the subject firm produced carbide drills and routers for the
printed circuit board (PCB) industry.
The investigation revealed that sales and production at the
subject firm decreased from 2003 to 2004 as well as during the
period of January through October 2005 when compared to the same
period in 2004.
Employment at the subject firm declined during the relevant
period.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
carbide drills and routers for the PCB industry increased during
the relevant 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 do not possess skills that are 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 carbide drills and routers for
the PCB industry produced by U.S. Union Tool, Inc., Buena Park,
California, 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 U.S. Union Tool, Inc., Buena Park, California
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after November 2, 2004 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 8th day of December 2005.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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