DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,782

BRACH'S CONFECTIONS, INC.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Certification 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. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on July 8, 2002, and filed by the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local #738 on behalf of workers at
Brach's Confections, Inc., Chicago, Illinois. The workers produce
soft candy, hard candy, and chocolates. The workers are not
separately identifiable by product line.


The investigation revealed that overall production and
employment declined during the relevant period. The facility is
scheduled for closure on December 31, 2002.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
soft candy, hard candy, and chocolates increased during the
relevant period.
A petition for eligibility to apply for NAFTA-Transitional
Adjustment Assistance, filed by a company official on behalf of the
workers at the subject firm, was certified on May 14, 2002, NAFTA-
5896.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with soft candy, hard candy, and
chocolates produced by Brach's Confections, Inc., Chicago,
Illinois, contributed importantly to the decline in sales or
production and to the total or partial separation of workers of
that firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:









"All workers of Brach's Confections, Inc., Chicago, Illinois,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after June 4, 2001, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 30th day of August, 2002.

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