DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,606

HIBBING TACONITE COMPANY
HIBBING, MINNESOTA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Trade 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. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated on January 22, 2002, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Hibbing
Taconite Company, Hibbing, Minnesota. The workers are engaged in
employment related to the production of taconite pellets.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject plant decreased during the period under investigation.
The subject firm is affiliated by ownership with Bethlehem
Steel, and sells taconite pellets to Bethlehem Steel=s Burns Harbor
Division, Chesterton, Indiana, plant. Workers at that plant were
certified eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance on January 24,
2002 (TA-W-40,175) based on increased imports of hot-rolled and
cold rolled steel, and coated sheets and plates. The taconite
pellets produced by the subject firm are a component part of an
integrated production process within corporately affiliated
facilities.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that an increase in imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject
firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Trade Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers at Hibbing Taconite Company, Hibbing, Minnesota,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after November 16, 2000, through two years from the date of
certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 4th day of February, 2002


/s/ Linda G. Poole
_____________________________

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