DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,498

HIBBING TACONITE
HIBBING, MINNESOTA

Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), 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 adjustment assistance,
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers in
the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision thereof,
have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or
appropriate subdivision have contributed importantly to
the separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute
decline in sales or production.

The investigation was initiated on June 25, 2001 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Hibbing Taconite,
Hibbing, Minnesota. The workers produce taconite pellets.



The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
Taconite pellets are not being imported either by Hibbing
Taconite or by its major customers. Any slabs purchased by these
firms do not substitute for taconite obtained from Hibbing
Taconite.
Hibbing Taconite's major domestic customers also share
ownership in the firm. None of them is currently under
certification for Trade Adjustment Assistance.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Hibbing
Taconite, Hibbing, Minnesota, are denied eligibility to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 7th day of August, 2001


/s/ Linda G. Poole

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