DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,137

GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION (GBC)
BUFFALO GROVE, 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 eligi-
bility 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 September 16, 2002 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at General Binding Corporation (GBC), Buffalo Grove,
Illinois. The workers were engaged in employment related to the
production of punching and binding machines. The workers were
not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that plant production and
employment declined during the relevant period.


The investigation further revealed that the company
increased their reliance on imported punching and binding
machines during the relevant period.

Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like
or directly competitive with punching and binding machines at
General Binding Corporation (GBC), Buffalo Grove, 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 General Binding Corporation (GBC), Buffalo
Grove, Illinois, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after August 26, 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 in Washington, D. C. this 15th day of October, 2002.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
_________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance