DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,039

PEERLESS CONFECTION COMPANY
CHICAGO, 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, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an 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 in response to a petition
received on February 28, 2007, and filed by International
Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 777 on behalf of workers at Peerless
Confection Company, Chicago, Illinois. The workers produce hard
candy.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined at the subject facility during the relevant
period.
The Department of Labor conducted a sample survey of the
subject firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases
of hard candy during 2005, 2006, and January through February 2007
over the corresponding 2006 period. The survey revealed that major
customers increased their purchases of imported hard candy, while
decreasing their purchases from the subject firm 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 articles
like or directly competitive with hard candy produced at Peerless
Confection Company, Chicago, Illinois, 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 Peerless Confection Company, Chicago,
Illinois, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after February 1, 2006, 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 May 2007.



/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance