Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,193

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS
ITWSOUTHLAND DIVISION
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on September 24, 2007, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Illinois Tool Works, ITWSouthland Division, Virginia
Beach, Virginia. Workers manufacture gaskets, sealing systems and
spatulas. Workers are not separately identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that employment declined from 2005
to 2006, and during the period of January through August 2007, when
compared to the same time period in 2006.
Furthermore, the subject firm shifted the production of
gaskets to a country (Mexico) that is party to a free trade
agreement with the United States.
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 there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of articles 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 Illinois Tool Works, ITWSouthland Division,
Virginia Beach, Virginia, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after September 17, 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 5th day of October 2007

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