DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-80,161

GATEHOUSE MEDIA IL HOLDINGS, INC.
D/B/A ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
GRAPHIC DESIGN GROUP
A DIVISION OF GATEHOUSE MEDIA OPERATING, INC.
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended ("Act"), 19 U.S.C. § 2273, the Department of Labor
herein presents the results of an investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment
assistance.
The group eligibility requirements for workers of a Firm
under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a), are
satisfied if the following criteria are met:
(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in
such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the
firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;
(2)(A)(i) the sales or production, or both, of such firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and
(ii) imports of articles like or directly competitive
with articles produced by such firm or subdivision have
increased; and
(iii) the increase in imports described in clause (ii)
contributed importantly to such workers' separation or
threat of separation and to the decline in the sales or
production of such firm or subdivision

The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
filed on May 10, 2011 on behalf of workers of GateHouse Media IL
Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Rockford Register Star, Graphic Design
Group, a division of GateHouse Media Operating, Inc., Rockford,
Illinois (Rockford Register Star). The workers' firm is engaged
in activities related to the design and production of local
newspapers with associated news websites and special sections.
The subject location also houses a separately identifiable
worker group engaged in activities related to the production of
commercial printing to external customers. This group is not a
part of the petition investigation.
During the course of the investigation, information was
collected from the workers, the workers' firm, and the Illinois
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
The workers alleged that their work is being shifted
abroad.
Section 222(a)(1) has been met because a significant
number or proportion of the workers in such workers' firm have
become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to
become totally or partially separated.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(i) has been met because the sales
increased during the relevant period.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(ii) has been met because firm
imports of articles like or directly competitive with the
article produced by Rockford Register Star have increased.
Finally, Section 222(a)(2)(A)(iii) has been met because
increased imports contributed importantly to the worker group
separations and sales declines at Rockford Register Star.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended ("Act"), 26 U.S.C. 2813, 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.
The group eligibility requirements for workers of a firm
under Section 246 (a)(3)(A)(ii) of the Trade Act are satisfied
if the following criteria are met:
(I) Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older;
(II) Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess
skills that are not easily transferable; and
(III) The competitive conditions within the workers'
industry (i.e., conditions within the industry
are adverse).

The Department has determined that criterion (II) has not
been met.
The investigation revealed that the workers in the workers'
firm do not possess skills that are not easily transferable.
Employment within that geographical region and industry is
increasing.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of GateHouse Media IL
Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Rockford Register Star, Graphic Design
Group, a division of GateHouse Media Operating, Inc., Rockford,
Illinois, who are engaged in activities related to the design
and production of local newspapers with associated news websites
and special sections meet the worker group certification
criteria under 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a). In
accordance with Section 223 of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2273, I make
the following certification:












"All workers of GateHouse Media IL Holdings, Inc. d/b/a
Rockford Register Star, Graphic Design Group, a division of
GateHouse Media Operating, Inc., Rockford, Illinois, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after May 4, 2010, through two years from the date of
certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of
1974, as amended; and I further determine that all workers
of GateHouse Media IL Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Rockford
Register Star, Graphic Design Group, a division of
GateHouse Media Operating, Inc., Rockford, Illinois are
denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjust-
ment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974,
as amended."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 16th day of September, 2011


/s/Elliott S. Kushner
_____________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Office of
Trade Adjustment Assistance