INSIDEUSW@WORK Goodyear Settlement Solidarity Helped Bring About a Settlement to a Strike at 08 Goodyear Tire and Rubber Plants in the United States and Canada

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USWPOWERcast INSIDEUSW@WORK Goodyear Settlement Solidarity helped bring about a settlement to a strike at 08 Goodyear tire and rubber plants in the United States and Canada.

ASARCO Settlement USW-represented copper workers win unprecedented con- 21 tract victory against a company that had been hell-bent on wiping out retiree benefits and busting the union.

POWERcast is the United Steelworkers’ internet radio program, a fast new way to get union news and reports of interest to all working families. To subscribe, click on the POWERcast logo at WWW.USW.ORG.

International Milwaukee Iron Executive Board Steelworkers at Harley Davidson's Milwaukee facilities Leo W. Gerard 28 International President ensure expansion in the famous motorcycle's hometown. James D. English Int’l. Secretary-Treasurer Labor never quits. Thomas M. Conway Int’l. Vice President We never give up (Administration) “the fight — no matter Fred Redmond Int’l. Vice President how tough the odds, (Human Affairs) Legendary USW Leaders Pass no matter how long Former President Former General Counsel Ken Neumann Nat’l. Dir. for Canada it takes. George Becker Bernie Kleiman

Richard LaCosse Int’l. Vice President George Meany” Gary Beevers American labor leader, 1894-1980 04 26 Int’l. Vice President James H. Dunn Associate Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hoover Exec. Vice President (R/PIC) ONTHECOVER Lewis Peacock Mike Pate, of Troy, Tenn., wears a hard hat Features: Vice President (Organizing) explaining his position on replacement Scab Speaking Out 03 James K. Phillips, Jr. workers at Goodyear. Worker Economics 16 Vice President at Large AP Photo/The Jackson Sun, Andrew McMurtrie News Bytes 36 Directors CAPITOL LETTERS 39 David R. McCall, District 1 Jon Geenen, District 2 Stephen Hunt, District 3 William J. Pienta, District 4 Communications Staff: Volume 02/No.1 Winter 2007 Michel Arsenault, District 5 Marco Trbovich, Assistant to the President/Communications Official publication of the United Steelworkers Wayne Fraser, District 6 Gary Hubbard, Director of Public Affairs, Washington, D.C. Direct Inquiries and articles for USW@Work to: Jim Robinson, District 7 Jim McKay, Editor Ernest R. “Billy” Thompson, District 8 United Steelworkers Aaron Hudson and Kenny Carlisle, Designers Communications Department Stan Johnson, District 9 Lynne Baker, Kelly Barr, Jim Coleman, Deb Davidek, Gerald Dickey, Five Gateway Center John DeFazio, District 10 Joanne Powers, Wayne Ranick, Frank Romano, Scott Weaver, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Barbara White Stack Robert Bratulich, District 11 phone 412-562-2400 fax 412-562-2445 Terry L. Bonds, District 12 on-line: www.usw.org J.M. “Mickey” Breaux, District 13

Co-Directors USW@Work (ISSN 0883-3141) is published five times a year by the United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO•CLC, Five Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA Gerald P. Johnston, District 1 15222. Subscriptions to non-members: $12 for one year; $20 for two years. Periodicals postage paid at Pittsburgh, PA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: USW@Work, USW Membership Department, 3340 Perimeter Hill Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 Lloyd Walters, District 9 Kenneth O. Test Copyright 2007 by United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO•CLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the United Steelworkers.

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SpeakingSpeaking OutOut USW active and retired members and their families are invited to “speak out” on these pages. Letters should be short and to the point. We reserve the right to edit for length. Mail to USW@Work, Five Gateway Center, Pittsburgh PA 15222 or e-mail to [email protected]. Compassion and professionalism second-place winner of the photo con- I would like to take this opportunity to test, "The Inspector." The employee pic- our nation is of extreme concern to us say how impressed the members of Local tured is climbing or simulating the climb- because I am afflicted with the horrible 4370 in Point Comfort, Texas are with two ing of a barrel ladder with something in his disease of Rheumatoid Arthritis and representatives of the USW Health, Safety, hands. Anyone climbing a ladder should Osteoarthritis. and Environmental Department. not be holding material or equipment. My husband and I were outraged after On Jan. 2, the worst thing that could We need to show a good example when reading the article entitled Medical happen in a workplace — a fatality — we say safety first. Many of our fellow Tourism (Vol. 1/5 Fall Issue). It is outra- became a reality for us. Brother John workers are injured or killed just trying to geous that the health of workers has Dorton, 37, an electrician/instrument tech- earn a living for their families. Thank you become a commodity to be outsourced to nician and USW member, lost his life in an for allowing me to express my views. some third world country that may not industrial accident. Edward H. Breach, Safety Coordinator have the proper technology or equipment Staff Representative Jerry Storms guid- USW Local 1688, Steelton, Pa. to provide proper health care to its own ed us to the USW Emergency Response citizens. Team Hotline (866-562-3480). Within 20 Steelworker Toys for Tots minutes, I was contacted by Duronda Pope I am writing about a great bunch of Elizabeth S. Ball and Steve Sallman from the Health, Safety, union brothers and sisters — Local 4889-3 Cudahy, Wis. and Environmental Department. In true from Morrisville, Pa. Goodyear strikers fought for all Steelworker form they arrived on the scene Wanting to do something for the local Let's not forget the workers at within hours. U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Goodyear. They walked to protect the dig- Brother Sallman dove right into the drive, we set a goal of 50 gifts. Well, with nity of retirees everywhere. This fight was investigation with Mine Safety and Health a strong sense of Steelworker pride, we about protecting our retirees. Administration (MSHA) representatives raised over 150 plus bicycles and scooters. For those of you who still have benefits, and our local union investigators. His I am very proud of this group. remember you are just one contract away knowledge and professionalism provided Chris Chapman, Unit President from the company trying to take your ben- Brother Dorton with representation and USW Local 4889-3, Morrisville, Pa. efits away. Only our union stands there to dignity in death, as he had in life. fight for us. Sister Pope, with her soft-spoken com- We made a difference We are all under attack by Corporate passion, provided our deceased brother's Congratulations brothers and sisters on America. family with the right information to allow the results of the November election! The them to begin healing. Rapid Response program and all of the Steve Skvara On our darkest day, the USW provided hard work of its teams helped turn the Valparaiso, Ind. Brother Dorton, his family, and the 430 table on the corporate government that is members of Local 4370 the compassion tearing apart working families. The labor Time for a change and professionalism needed for us to move movement worked tirelessly to help elect Hurray for the United Steelworkers on with our work and lives. these candidates. We need to turn up the strike against 16 Goodyear plants in the heat once again and pressure them to sup- United States and Canada. Perhaps this is Clay Maxwell, President port legislation that supports us! This elec- the beginning of needed change. USW Local 4370, Point Comfort, Texas tion showed that if labor works together I am a middle-aged office worker in Safety first we can accomplish amazing things. Pennsylvania, who has been laid off from In the fall issue of USW@Work, I good jobs twice in the past five years. Dan Peterson noticed a few things that should have been Now I have a "crap job." I have to live off USW Local 10-86, West Point, Pa. corrected. We are always preaching safety savings just to exist. I wish office workers first. Let's practice what we preach. State of health care could be unionized. Page 12 shows Ms. Jendrejeski pulling My husband is a member of USW It's long past time that something was a test in front of a furnace and a gaping Local 1343 District 2. I read each issue of done to change the plight of the American hole that she could quite easily fall into. USW@Work from cover to cover as the worker. I wish we could see a meaningful Her aluminized coat isn't fully closed invit- union and the magazine speak on issues increase in all union activities. ing the possibility of her being burned by that are important to my family and me. Janis Simons molten steel. One of those extremely important issues Boyertown, Pa. Also observed on page 35 was the is health care. The state of health care in USW@Work • winter 2007 3 40912_P01_40X.qxp 2/7/2007 4:39 PM Page 4

eorge Becker never backed down from a fight. And so it was with his long and painful battle with prostate Gcancer, which he resisted with the same relentless spirit that characterized much of his life and leadership. A second-generation steelworker who became the sixth international president of the United Steelworkers (USW), Mr. Becker finally succumbed to the illness Feb. 3 at his home in Pennsylvania, surrounded by his family. He was 78. Mr. Becker, who served seven years as the union's international president, was a respected union organizer and strategist and an internation- ally-known spokesman for industrial safety, workers' rights on the job and fair global trade. He was elected president in 1993 and again in 1997.

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"George did as much as any president Whether it was a local strike or an tration starting in 1985. He chaired the in our history to strengthen our union,'' international trade battle, Mr. Becker union’s Aluminum Industry Conference said USW President Leo W. Gerard, sought to involve the USW membership and led its collective bargaining in that who served as international secretary- through education and mobilization. He industry. treasurer under Becker and succeeded launched the union's pioneering Rapid In 1986, a year after he became vice him as president in 2001. "He was a Response program, which activates president, Mr. Becker was put in charge powerful voice for the interests of our workers and their local unions to lobby of mobilizing members for what became members. He had a unique ability to Congress and state legislatures on issues a long lockout by USX Corp., the first give voice to the frustrations and con- crucial to them, and the Legislative labor dispute since 1959 against what is cerns of workers, their right to be treated Leadership Program in Washington, now U.S. Steel. with dignity and decency — values he D.C., which provides member-activists believed in deeply." with training in lobbying and political Combating corporate renegades Internally, Mr. Becker convinced the action. Mr. Becker also led the union's orga- union's executive board to take a his- Rapid Response was created by Mr. nizing program as vice president and toric step in consolidating the USW's Becker to influence legislative decision organized several major corporate cam- administrative districts in the U.S. from making after he cut off "soft money" paigns, the best known of which target- 18 to nine and the size of the Executive contributions to political parties because ed Ravenswood Aluminum, a West Board correspondingly. The move they were not sufficiently effective in Virginia company that in 1990 locked increased the efficiency and political supporting the USW members' interests. out 1,700 USW employees and hired strength of the Union. He also persuaded "George's legacy within the union is permanent replacements. The conduct of hundreds of smaller local unions to join that he put a lot of attention into what the campaign is chronicled in forces by amalgamating for the same we call empowerment today. He Ravenswood, The Steelworkers' Victory reasons. believed there is tremendous power in and the Revival of American Labor, by the union and that we have to harness Tom Juravich and Kate Bronfenbrenner. Inspired member activism it," said USW Secretary-Treasurer James The fight at Ravenswood, led by He also orchestrated mergers English, who served as Mr. Becker's fugitive international financier Marc with the United Rubber Workers executive assistant for seven years. Rich of Switzerland, took the union and the Aluminum, Brick and Prior to his election as president, Mr. across international borders in Europe Glass Workers Union, bringing Becker served two terms as the union's and South America as it appealed for 140,000 new members to the international vice president for adminis- support from companies, customers and USW. financial backers.

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In 1992, the permanent replacements Commission. Mr. Becker also served on NAFTA was intended to protect indus- were fired and Steelworkers returned to the U.S. Trade Deficit Review trialists and bankers. The only institution their jobs at Ravenswood. It was a victo- Commission and during the Clinton that protects working people is the union ry both for workers in the small town of administration was a member of the movement." Ravenswood and for the entire labor President's Export Council and the U.S. movement, proving that unions could Trade and Environmental Policy Up from the shop floor still win, and win big against a large cor- Advisory Committee. He got an early look at industrial life poration. In the continuing fight for the sur- and unionism. As a boy, Mr. Becker Immediately following the merger vival of the steel industry, Mr. Becker grew up yards from his father's employ- with the Rubber Workers union, Mr. was instrumental in establishing Stand er, Granite City Steel in Illinois, where Becker led a similar 28-month world- Up for Steel, an alliance of the union the heat was so intense it penetrated the wide campaign against Bridgestone/ and steel producers that fights unfair doorway to the family home. In 1944, Firestone, which had fired 6,000 work- trade practices, including the illegal at 15, he took a job on an open hearth ers. That campaign also resulted in a dumping of foreign steel on U.S. mar- labor gang. new contract and the return to work of kets. His early work background also thousands of our union's members. Mr. Becker was a tireless opponent of included stints of employment as a crane Mr. Becker shifted more of the the North American Free Trade operator at General Steel Castings and union's resources into organizing and Agreement (NAFTA), which he relent- as an assembler at the General Motors played a leading role in promoting the lessly indicted for wiping out hundreds Fisher Body plant in St. Louis. 1995 election of John J. Sweeney as of thousands of family-supportive U.S. He twice served the country in its president of the AFL-CIO. Who ran on a jobs. He led the union's executive board armed forces, first as a Marine toward campaign to revitalize the labor move- members on trips across the border to the end of World War II and again dur- ment. witness Mexican workers living in ing the Korean War, when he was draft- abject poverty while working in state-of- ed into the U.S. Army, owing to a criti- Championed fair trade the-art plants owned by U.S.-based com- cal shortage of light weapons infantry Nowhere was Mr. Becker's voice panies in the maquilladoras. leaders. more powerful, though, than in the "NAFTA was the greatest betrayal of On July 21, 1950, he married Jane struggles against unfair trade, an issue workers in my lifetime," Mr. Becker Goforth, who supported him in his that held his interest into retirement as said while president. "NAFTA was advocacy for workers for more than 56 an appointed member of the U.S.-China never intended to protect workers — years, along the way establishing herself Economic & Security Review as an accomplished political organizer.

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In those early years, Mr. Becker before leaving work and lead testing for for president of the union against a dis- hired on at a new Dow Chemical alu- the plant's neighbors. He soon was sident challenger, Edward Sadlowski, minum rolling mill in Madison, Ill. He pressing for safety and health reforms Jr. McBride won the 1977 election and became a shop steward for Local 4804, throughout the district and the union. named Mr. Becker an assistant to local treasurer and then vice president. That activism led to his appointment Williams, who had just been elected the By 1961 he was the local union's presi- as a technician in the union's health and union's international secretary. dent. safety department at Pittsburgh head- After Mr. McBride died in office in Tom Griffin, an international staff quarters and to meet former President 1983, Williams ran for interim president representative, took Mr. Becker under Lynn Williams, then director of District and was elected. In 1985, Mr. Becker his wing, encouraged him and taught 6 in Canada. ran for election as vice president on the him to debate, to bargain and to cost In 1969, Mr. Becker testified as an Williams slate, replacing the retiring out benefits. By 1965, Lloyd McBride, expert witness on lead poisoning before Joe Odorcich. then director of the former District 34, Congress as it was debating the estab- Williams was another mentor to Mr. appointed Mr. Becker as a staff repre- lishment of the Occupational Safety and Becker. When Williams retired, he pro- sentative in Granite City. Health Act (OSHA). posed that Mr. Becker lead the team In the mid-1970s, Mr. Becker was that succeeded him. Mr. Becker became A breath of fresh air instrumental in proposing OSHA safety the first person since USW founder It was as a staff representative that standards for exposure to lead and for Phillip Murray to be elected president Mr. Becker came into contact with the the use of arsenic. As a result of his of the union without an election chal- adverse effects of lead poisoning at a efforts, workers who are exposed to lenge or without the death of a prede- plant he serviced, National Lead, and lead must be removed from exposure cessor. his outrage over what he saw there led without loss of pay and cannot be Mr. Becker is survived by his wife him to become an expert on occupa- returned to work until blood lead levels Jane; three sons, George, Greg, and tional health issues. are reduced. Matthew; 10 grandchildren; five great Workers at the plant were punch grandchildren; and a sister, Jacqueline drunk with lead poisoning. Mr. Becker Led McBride's campaign Straus. He was interred at St. John's discovered that the employer was sav- Near the end of I.W. Abel's tenure as Cemetery in his hometown of Granite, ing money by nightly turning off the third president of USWA, Mr. Becker Ill. The family has asked that any bagging system used to purify the air. took a leave of absence from the head- donations in Mr. Becker's name be Reforms were initiated, including clean quarters staff to run the campaign of directed to Habitat for Humanity. changing rooms, mandatory showers then District Director Lloyd McBride

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f there was one thing that helped the picket lines, and helped to sustain ing. In some places, strikers waved mock bring about a settlement to a bitter 86- their resolve during difficult times — pink slips and Donald Trump "You're Iday strike at Goodyear, it was solidar- especially the Thanksgiving and Fired!" signs as the replacements ity — workers and communities sticking Christmas holidays. punched out for the last time. together. Picket lines remained strong. In the "The credit really belongs to our Fight for the middle class end, less than 3 percent of USW mem- members and their families, whose soli- "The community did not just see us as bers listened to Goodyear's pleas and darity prevented the company from 'those poor men and women on the pick- crossed, despite the extraordinary finan- short-changing them, despite all of its et line over there,' " said David Prentice, cial pressures that they and their families attempts,'' USW President Leo W. Gerard political coordinator for USW Local 2 in faced. said after a new three-year contract was Akron, Ohio, where Goodyear is head- Members like James Merriner, Jr., approved. quartered. "They identified with us as who had 32 years of service at a rubber That solidarity came not just from their brothers and sisters in the fight to products plant in Marysville, Ohio, within the United Steelworkers and its hold onto the middle class and an protested Goodyear at a NASCAR event nearly 15,000 members at 16 production America that takes care of one another." in New York and marched the picket sites in the United States and Canada, but The USW and Goodyear, the world's lines at his own plant and in Akron, from the labor movement at large, and third-largest tire maker, reached a tentative where his father, James Sr., retired after from the communities where Goodyear three-year agreement on Dec. 22 to end the 40 years of service. Father and son took operates tire and engineered rubber prod- strike that began Oct. 5 over issues includ- time to picket together. ucts plants and retail outlets. ing retirement, security and jobs. The senior Merriner was concerned People across the country donated USW members returned to work just and bewildered by Goodyear's attack on food, firewood and both moral and finan- after the New Year, and temporary retirement benefits and was worried that cial support. They stood in soli- replacement workers — jeered as scabs he could not afford changes on a fixed darity with our members on from the picket lines — were sent pack- income. Photo by James Hamrick.

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"I think when a man retires from der-to-shoulder with us," Gerard said. Kim set up a "Kelly Kids" fundraiser to Goodyear with a contract, that's the way Even with the USW paying out about provide toy store gift cards for 655 chil- it should be. He's earned his retirement $1.5 million a week in strike benefits dren whose parents were on strike. with no givebacks,'' James Sr. said. through the locals, the financial toll on "I'm proud of the people I work The support strikers received was members was incalculable, what with with," Dickson said on the 62nd day of evident in both large and small ways winter heating bills, mortgages and rent, the strike as Christmas neared. "I'm ranging from a massive National Day of medicine, food and other expenses. proud people are still out. It's something Action at Goodyear retail locations USW members in both the U.S. and we believe in and are fighting for, so around the country to individual dona- Canada raised funds through plant gate why punish our children over it." tions from retirees, neighbors, mer- collections and distributed turkeys and United Auto Worker Local 686 char- chants, churches, other unions and pro- other food for the holidays. Christmas tered a school bus to bring food, toys gressive organizations. toy drives helped children enjoy the hol- and other Christmas supplies to striking On Dec. 17, just days before the final idays. Staff members at the USW and workers at the Goodyear-Dunlop plant round of negotiations resumed after a the AFL-CIO kicked in too. in Tonawanda, N.Y. long hiatus, an estimated 50,000 union "We wanted to make sure they had members and supporters turned out at Giving is a USW tradition meals and toys for the kids," said Local hundreds of Goodyear retail locations to "Generosity is a steelworker tradi- 686 member Jim Krolikowski. "With all protest and boisterously tell consumers tion," Wayne Fraser, the USW's the uncertainty in the business right how the company was treating its Ontario/Atlantic Director in Canada, now, it could very easily have been us employees. It was the single largest said after members in Sudbury and Sault on strike." labor protest in the United States in at Ste. Marie raised more than $15,000 in a Michael Shupe, of Fayetteville, N.C., least 15 years. week. recalled how one fellow striker was In Topeka, Kan., a car dealer donated given $200 from others on the picket Standing shoulder-to-shoulder $10,000 to Local 307 just before line when they found out he needed to "Special thanks go out to all of our Christmas because many of his friends, travel because of a death in the family. AFL-CIO union affiliates, activist neighbors, relatives and employees had "That's what these people are all groups, community organizations, busi- worked at Goodyear. about,'' Shupe said as the strike ended. nesses and public officials who not only In Tyler, Texas, 22-year Goodyear "They're family." understood our struggle, but stood shoul- employee Ronnie Dickson and his wife Photo by Gerald Dickey.

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he contract campaign and subsequent strike at Goodyear required the USW to push its communications efforts out to new parameters. T In addition to distributing Solidarity Alerts and Bargaining Updates to our members, we maintained a negotiations web site and posted information to the USW web site. As the strike wore on, we added Investor Alerts and another web site for Wall Street and the investment community.

Local, national coverage Each local had designated media contacts that worked in conjunction with the International to make sure our stories were getting covered by newspapers and broadcast media. These efforts resulted in solid print, radio and TV coverage in local as well as national markets, contributing to unprecedented levels of community support at our strike locations. We purchased billboard space and ran a series of radio spots in our plant communities. Later, media buys were expanded nationally to coordinate with demonstrations at major cities throughout all USW districts and the AFL-CIO's National Day of Action. That effort included radio spots in New York during NASCAR week, as striking workers joined USW staff and others in three days of actions and protests in the heart of Manhattan. The Wall Street Journal ran a major story on our "viral marketing campaign" after we posted our TV and radio spots on the popular YouTube Internet site. On the first day, our TV spot jumped into the Top Twenty most viewed videos.

Media push pays off As the campaign escalated and we bore down on Goodyear, the USW bolstered its efforts by contracting with a noted Washington, D.C. labor public relations firm. We extended our media push into more national markets by further publicizing our rallies and demonstrations, and through placing opinion and editorial pieces in newspapers all around the country. In the end our efforts paid off. Our members remained solid on the picket lines. The communities gave us great support, and Goodyear and Wall Street recognized that the only solution was returning to the bargaining table and negotiating a fair and equi- table contract.

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he battle for health care and good jobs was a call to arms “T for all union members. Goodyear's attempt to cut health care benefits for retirees was of enormous concern to everyone. CWA’ers were proud to join the USW in this fight and to help bring about victory. "This kind of solidarity is the thinking behind the creation of a n many ways, the Goodyear struggle was a bil- Steward’s Army, a force of volunteer activists and stewards from lion-dollar battle over the preservation of family- every union. At the CWA, we're building a Steward’s Army of supporting industrial jobs and America's middle 50,000 activists who will mobilize around critical issues like the I class. Employee Free Choice Act, industry campaigns and national issues When bargaining started last year in this round of such as health care reform. rubber industry negotiations, it quickly became "We all need to understand the direct connection between bar- apparent that Goodyear was going to be difficult. gaining rights and our health security, retirement security and job security — and it's all on the line today. The squeeze on the middle We turned instead to BFGoodrich, a unit of class — working families' health care, living standards and good Michelin Group, and negotiated a contract that was jobs — is no accident." intended to be a pattern for the rest of the industry. The agreement retained health care coverage for he Goodyear strike was important to the entire labor retirees, saved defined benefit pensions, protected “Tmovement. We considered it to be a very strategic USW-represented plants from closure and protected strike because Wall Street and all of the companies had wages of current members. their eyes on Goodyear. But Goodyear ignored industry tradition and "If Goodyear had been able to take away retiree refused to settle on that basis. Apparently embold- health care and impose some of the other draconian cuts ened by others in manufacturing slashing health care they talked about, as the first one out of the box this year, coverage, reducing wages and shifting production everybody else would have wanted the same thing from every other union and from all other working people. offshore, Goodyear management demanded more "So we were able to break that cycle, put down a advantages than their competitors had bargained. marker that says when people earn benefits, when they earn a pension and retiree health care, the entire labor Past sacrifice ignored movement is going to stand behind them and make sure Goodyear's proposals were especially insulting they get what they earned." because they came just three years after USW members made major sacrifices that brought the compa- e were proud to stand with the Steelworkers. We had about ny back from the brink of bankruptcy and restored “W25 local coalitions around the country engage in leaflet its profitability. actions on the Dec. 16 National Day of Action and we participated "Three years later, Goodyear amassed over $1 in protests against Goodyear at NASCAR events in New York. billion in cash. The stock had increased in value by "It was easy to get support for the strikers because people 500 percent. The bosses paid themselves multi- understood this was an important campaign for all working people. The issues with Goodyear — job security, retirement security — million dollar bonuses," said Ron Hoover, R/PIC involve not just Goodyear workers. They are issues for all of work- executive vice president. "Everybody had done well ing America. except the workers." "If Goodyear had been allowed to do the things that it wanted, it Although other stakeholders had benefited from would have emboldened other companies around the country and Goodyear's turnaround, we were ignored for rewards the world to do the same thing. We had to stop them." even though we took the hard steps that made the difference. Those steps included accepting wage, pension and health care cuts, improving plant pro- ductivity, and allowing the closure of a plant in • Defended health care for current and future retirees against company Huntsville, Ala. attack by securing a $1 billion-plus, company financed benefit trust. Instead, Goodyear wanted additional concessions and plant closures that would have furthered its abil- • Tripled to $550 million the company's commitment to invest in ity to outsource more jobs and the productive capac- USW-represented plants. ity of our plants. Since 2004, Goodyear had • Protected at least 90 percent of product ticket and manning levels. invested millions in overseas production • Secured wages with grandfather protection for all current employees. • Won continuation of COLA payments. • Restored two-year frozen pension credit with $55 multiplier. • Preserved affordable quality health care coverage. • Won right for all members to return to work with full seniority for time on strike plus 24 hours of pay for missed holidays.

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including a plant in China, a joint venture tire factory that pays offered a range of protections to Goodyear employees that were its employees 42 cents an hour. entirely absent from the original proposals that drove us out on That initial stance flew in the face of our primary objectives strike. of securing jobs by obtaining major capital investment in our "Goodyear borrowed a billion dollars to try and break our plants and protecting more than 30,000 retirees and surviving strike and we took it away from them," said USW Vice spouses from major increases in health care costs. President Tom Conway, who headed the union’s Goodyear bar- Initial proposals from the company called for closing up to gaining team. four USW-represented plants, eroding retiree health care and Significantly, the contract protects retiree medical coverage gutting wages and medical benefits. It also sought to eliminate by securing initial funding of more than $1 billion for a benefit COLA and impose a two-tier wage and benefit package. trust. That's an 80 percent increase from the company's pre- Under the company's demands for wage restructuring, strike proposal of $560 million. almost 70 percent of the work force would have been forced to We also enhanced the ability of USW-represented plants to take big cuts. Many of us would have been required to work meet the challenges of global competition by requiring side by side with new employees earning a lot less and receiv- Goodyear to invest $550 million in them, triple its previous ing zero benefits and vacation time. capital investments. "We said no," said John Rutherford, president of USW Local 843 at Goodyear's engineered products plant in Marysville, Globally competitive Ohio. "This was one of those struggles we didn't ask for. But it "To secure jobs, we had to obtain enough money to keep our was a struggle we couldn't walk away from. It was a struggle plants globally competitive,'' said Conway. America couldn't afford for us to lose." In addition, the agreement required Goodyear to rescind its Negotiations began in June and there were many months of demand for immediate closure of the Tyler plant and instead intensive bargaining. By the time the company forced us out on provide a one-year transition during which workers can take strike Oct. 5, we were still facing demands for multiple plant advantage of retirement buyouts. closings and short-changing of retiree benefits. Despite efforts by the international and local leaders and strong support from the community in Tyler, Texas, plant secu- Goodyear borrows $1 billion rity could not be won there beyond the end of 2007. Goodyear management wanted to push its retiree health care Although we're not happy with the outcome at Tyler, the obligations off the company's books and onto a trust fund. But union was able to ensure that the tires now built there will it wanted to finance the fund only at an irresponsibly low level. have to be produced at other USW-represented facili- Adding insult to injury, Goodyear hired replacement workers ties as long as Goodyear stays in that market. not long into the strike and announced the closing of its Tyler, Texas, plant. It borrowed $1 billion to fight the strike and issued another $1 billion in unsecured notes that were gobbled-up by Wall Street speculators. The tentative deal reached Dec. 22 and ratified shortly afterwards AP Brad Smith. Telegraph, Morning Photo/Tyler

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SW-represented workers at Stora Enso in Central This was truly an example of Wisconsin broke new ground in paper industry bar- “ how the USW and paper Ugaining with a contract that enhances job, retirement and health security. management can negotiate

The contract, approved by a majority of 1,410 USW to ensure the success of the members at facilities in Stevens Point, Whiting, Biron and Wisconsin Rapids, is a strong first step in turning around the industry and the well-being“ lack of pattern bargaining that has plagued paper industry unions for decades. of the workers, who make it “The membership voted in support of a new direction and all possible. strategy for unions in the paper industry,” said Tom Richard LaCosse, Peplinski, who chaired the USW’s Stora Enso bargaining USW International Vice President council. “We have shown Stora Enso that we will fight together to achieve our goals, that we will leave no one behind, and that they too can prosper in the end, if they choose to work with If one of the USW-represented Stora Enso facilities is sold, us,” he added. leased or transferred, successor language guarantees that the Local and International representatives worked together to new owner has to honor the existing agreement until its expira- create an agreement that gives workers greater job and eco- tion date. nomic security while providing Stora Enso the work restruc- The union also won the right to review the company’s con- turing it needed to succeed in the highly competitive paper tracting out plans and to propose ways to perform the work in industry. house on an equal or lesser cost basis. The reviews are subject In addition to security, the contract provides wages, health to arbitration. care benefits and pensions to USW members who are at the top tier of the paper industry. Wages hikes, signing bonus “This was truly an example of how the USW and paper The five-year contract, which is retroactive to the original management can negotiate to ensure the success of the expiration date and expires March 31, 2010, gives workers a 9 industry and the well-being of the workers who make it all percent increase in base wages (3 % at ratification, 3 % in 20 possible,” said USW Vice President Richard LaCosse. months and another 3% in 32 months). Additionally, a $3,000 signing bonus was due at ratification. Contract breakthroughs Stora Enso will pay 80 percent of the health care premiums The breakthroughs at Stora Enso included common con- for active employees. There is a 73 percent increase in the pen- tract expiration dates among USW-represented facilities. sion multiplier raising the amount paid per year of service from Undoubtedly, this will strengthen our bargaining power. $40 to $55. The company also agreed to stay neutral in USW organiz- Workers will have a voice in the redesign of how they do ing drives at its non-union plants and to not interfere with their jobs. Once they finish the transition to a team-based, cus- workers’ rights to form a union. tomer-focused and self-directed work system, they will receive In a first for the paper industry, the contract contains a $1,000 bonus. unprecedented job security language. No active employee When Stora Enso’s business improves, the workers will ben- will lose permanent employment as a result of the contract- efit monetarily. The USW will have a say in the targets, rules ing, work restructuring or work competitiveness provisions and procedures established for the gain-sharing, which could of the labor agreement. amount to as much as $1,000 per quarter for each employee.

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The USW will also have a voice on the Stora Enso European Work Council, which looks at company issues ranging from finance to long-term strategic planning. There also will be a USW representative at division cooperation meetings.

Members mobilized Mobilization of the membership plays a major role in the national paper bargaining program, and negotiations for the Stora Enso contract was no excep- tion. “The approach of the representatives was measured, thoughtful and helpful,” said Local 1306 member John Loomis. “They kept us informed and up-to- date.” “There were more information meetings and written notices put out on the contract this time,” said Steve Orlikowski, a Local 359 member. “Because people were so informed, we got a better contract.” Every Tuesday Local 359 members wore their blue USW T-shirts to mobilize for a good contract. “We stuck together as a team,” said Local 359 member Brian Itzen. “The Whiting mill was pretty blue on Tuesdays. It brought us all together and it made management realize the people were thinking about the contract.” Orlikowski’s local used a network of members to get the word out. He said the national paper bargaining program also influenced the negotiations. “It unified people,” Orlikowski said. “Through national paper bargaining and the efforts to get information out, members were a lot clearer about what was involved in negotiations. They got the bigger picture.” Itzen said he did not think the local would have gotten as much without the national paper bargaining program. He said the new contract builds a base for Enso. Photos bt Stora future negotiations. “In three years when we next negotiate we’ll have a lot more people to put their foot down and secure the future for everybody,” he said.

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Worker Economics

Union Representation Petitions Drop nion representation petitions to the National Labor Relations Board dropped by more than 25 percent in 2006 — evidence that the current system remains Ubadly broken. Meanwhile, illegal firings for union activity have risen sharply, with about one in five union activists who tried to organize being fired since 2000, according to a new study by the Center for Economic Policy Research. In a year-end report, the labor board said it handled 3,643 representation cases PBGC Reports Fifth Deficit during the last fiscal year, a 25.6 percent decrease from 4,894 in fiscal 2005. he federal pension-insurance agency Petitions to deauthorize bargaining units have also risen. reported a long-term deficit of $18.1 AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said the decline in representation petitions is billion in 2006 — its fifth straight evidence that the current NLRB system is so broken that working people have aban- T doned using it. annual shortfall — but showed improve- ment from 2005. The narrower operating deficit reported Job Growth Lags in Current Recovery by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. here have been four economic recoveries since 1961 that have lasted at least was down from a shortfall of $22.8 billion five years. Of those four, job growth has been the slowest in the current in 2005 and a record $23.3 billion in T recovery, which began in November 2001. 2004. Each bar in the accompanying graph shows percent growth in jobs for both total The agency, which insures private pen- payrolls and private sector payrolls (excluding government) over the first five sion plans for 44 million workers and years of the economic expansion that began in the month shown on the X axis of retirees, reported assets of $60 billion to the graph. cover pension liabilities of $78.1 billion. This uniquely weak perfor- PAYROLL GROWTH: mance in employment growth is 18.2% RECOVERIES LASTING The pension agency was created in 18% 17.3% one reason why the benefits of 16% 16.4% FIVE YEARS 1974 as a government insurance program 16% the expansion have been slow for traditional, defined benefit pension 14% to reach many working families. Total Private plans. Its report comes as an increasing 12% On average, payrolls nation- 10.3% number of Americans are feeling anxious 10% 9.5% about their retirement security. ally gained 153,000 jobs per month in 2006, slightly behind 8% 6% BLS establishment survey Source: Steel Imports Hit Record the monthly averages of both Growth Payroll 4.5% 4.6% he United States imported a record 2005 (165,000) and 2004 4% amount of steel in 2006, another (175,000). 2% sign that our government must 0% T Feb-1961 Nov-1982 Mar-1991 Nov-2001 address unfair trading practices by China and other Asian exporters. Preliminary data from the Census Executive Cash Bonuses Skyrocket Bureau indicated that steel imports could hile most of us are struggling to maintain health care coverage and modest reach 46 million tons once final figures standards of living, top corporate executives are awash in ever-rising cash are in for last year, besting the previous bonuses. WEven Wall Street noticed at year's end when Goldman Sachs gave its chief execu- record of 41.5 million tons set in 1998. Much of the import increase stems tive, Lloyd C. Blankfein, a record bonus of $53.4 million. from countries with a history of unfair The highest paid executives last year received a 48.2 percent increase in their annu- trading including China and India, al cash bonus and were paid 31.2 percent more total cash compensation, according to according to the American Iron and Steel data compiled by the Economic Research Institute from 45 publicly traded companies. Institute (AISI), which represents over 30 For the highest paid executives, the average base salary last year was $1,273,978. U.S. steel companies. The average cash bonus was $3,521,615. Average total cash compensation hit $4,795,096.

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Training Funds Drop A few quick facts showing the size and raining workers to meet global scope of the lobbying industry in competitive challenges is essential Washington, D.C.: T to America's future and can be especially important to the 70 percent of Amount spent on federal lobbying, the work force without a college degree. 1999 Yet the federal government's commit- $1.5 billion ment to training and employment assistance has been declining, a review of Amount spent on federal lobbying, spending by the Department of Labor 2004 (DOL) shows. $2.1 billion The DOL, the primary source of federal support for job training and The amount Interpublic Group of employment services, has seen its expenditures fall from $6.1 billion in Companies, the top lobbying firm from 1986 to $5.8 billion in 1996 and $5.2 billion in 2006. 1998-2004, spent during that time Considering that the labor force grew by almost 30 percent from $265 million 1986 to 2006, DOL spending on training and employment services fell even more dramatically in per capita terms, from $63 per worker in Number of federal lobbyists, 2000 1986 to only $35 per worker in 2006. 16,000 DOL block grants enable states to pay local agencies for classroom and on-the-job training — which for many can be the key to a better job Number of federal lobbyists, 2005 or any job at all. 35,000 Economy Straps Young Adults Number of companies that lobbied the oung adults today are feeling the deep impact of a massive shift U.S. House of Representatives from in the U.S. economy and are often no longer able to sustain a 1998-2004 Yfamily, build a career and grow assets the way their parents did. 17,300 A combination of stagnant wage growth, growing debt, and high costs of education, homeownership and health care challenge the ability Number of companies that lobbied the of America's youth to start and sustain an economically stable adult life, U.S. Senate from 1998-2004 according to Demos, a national nonpartisan public policy group. 17,200 "For the young generation of workers, the economy no longer gener- ates widespread opportunity and security, and our public policies Number of former members of haven't evolved to pick up any of the slack," said Tamara Draut, direc- Congress or heads of federal agencies tor of the Economic Opportunity Program at Demos. now working as lobbyists Reports on youth challenges including higher education, paycheck 240 paralysis, generation debt, housing and the costs of raising a child are available at www.demos.org. Number of former senior government officials now working as lobbyists The High Cost of Energy More than 2,000 lthough gasoline prices have dropped from the $3 a gallon seen last year, prices remain well above relatively recent levels. Average salary for a lobbyist A The accompanying chart shows prices of gasoline, diesel and $89,944 home heating oil since 1998, adjusted for inflation. Number of congressional earmarks, Fiscal Year 1996 958

Number of congressional earmarks, Fiscal Year 2005 14,000

Total value of congressional earmarks in 2004 $32.7 billion

Source: Think Progress, a project of the American Progress Action Fund

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ou can join a political party, a fast, and unions are a key to bridging gaining. We need to use this Congress fraternal organization or commu- our nation's growing economic divide," and our energy to change that direction," Ynity and church groups in the AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said. USW President Leo W. Gerard said. United States simply by signing up. Yet "People should be able to choose "We ought to make no mistake about that freedom of association stops when whether to form a union free from it. What we can do for our kids and our you get to work. employer intimidation and coercion," grandchildren is to re-establish the right When employees try to form a union Sweeney added. "Our current labor law of workers to join a union without fear, they face concerted anti-union harass- is broken, and America's working fami- without the concern of discharge, with- ment and intimidation that often lies are paying the price." out the concern of intimidation, without includes firings during the usually tense By law, employers in the United the boss interfering." run-up to an election. States are prohibited from intimidating, The United Steelworkers and other coercing or firing employees for exercis- Card check recognition unions are pushing hard for the new ing their right to form unions. Yet each In fact, the Employee Free Choice Democrat-controlled Congress to quick- year, more than 23,000 workers are fired Act would give workers the right to ly pass legislation that would help to or penalized for union activity. union recognition if a majority of work- restore freedom of choice at work. Firings are only part of the arsenal ers sign membership cards — a process On Feb. 6, U.S. Rep. George Miller employers have at their disposal. Three called card check recognition. introduced the Employee Free Choice out of four employers hire anti-union Employee Free Choice also calls for Act (EFCA) in the House. It would help consultants that specialize in union mediation and arbitration in the event to restore workers' free choice to join avoidance techniques, 78 percent force that an employer and union are unable unions and bargain with their employers employees into personal meetings with to reach a first agreement within a limit- for better wages and benefits. supervisors and 98 percent demand ed 90-day period. It would also impose closed-door anti-union meetings. stronger penalties on employers for vio- Rapid Response "The purpose of the National Labor lating labor laws during organizing and Thanks in large part to the USW's Relations Board is to promote collective first-contract bargaining. volunteer Rapid Response network, the bargaining, yet it has a 40 or 50 year U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, a lead bill had 230 co-sponsors in the House history of doing everything it can to sponsor of the bill in the Senate and the at the time of its introduction. stymie, erode and weaken collective bar- new Senate Health Education, Labor "America's middle class is shrinking and Pensions committee chairman, has

rrol Hohrein, 57, is an experienced worker for complaining directly to Front boilermaker hired last March as a Range President Dan Sanders, Jr. E key player in the startup of a $50 Hohrein and his co-workers reached million ethanol distillery in northern out to the USW to make things right. "It Colorado operated by Front Range was theft by deception," he said of the Energy, LLC. company's failure to keep its promises. National demand is booming for ethanol as a renewable automotive fuel Targeted by management additive, and Congress is authorizing all When Hohrein began passing out defied management and voted for the kinds of tax incentives to build distil- union authorization cards, he was target- union by a one vote margin, 12-11, in an leries to produce billions of gallons. ed by management. NLRB election held on Dec. 18 and 20, But Hohrein and the new-hires at "They followed me, threatened to fire 2006. USW organizer Doug Fennell Front Range quickly discovered the tax me and constantly wrote me up," he received the federal certification notice deals that built the refinery and pro- said. "They acted like monsters and designating the USW as the bargaining duced millions in monthly profits didn't wouldn't let co-workers near me for representative on Jan. 5, 2007. extend to them. The company reneged equipment maintenance consultations On the very next day, Hohrein report- on promised wage rates and even fired a without prior permission." ed to work as a USW member and dis- The Front Range refinery workers covered the night shift had allowed the

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promised that passage will be an objec- Nor is pro-union "coercion" a problem basis is left up to the employer. An tive of the new Congress. in states where majority sign-up proce- employer can refuse to recognize the "We're going to give workers a fair dures similar to those of the EFCA have union and insist on an NLRB election shake at last," Kennedy told unionists already been implemented even if 100 percent of employees have who marched on Capitol Hill last The USW-backed American Rights at signed authorization. December to demand workers' rights. Work coalition polled 430 randomly With Employee Free Choice, the deci- There is intense opposition to the act selected employees at locations where sion would no longer be left up to the from business interests eager to maintain NLRB elections or card check campaigns employer. Employees would be able to the pro-management tilt of labor law. were conducted to determine whether it present the signed authorizations to the On its face, the opposition's main was true that card check campaigns leave NLRB, and if the NLRB determines argument appears to be powerful. employees more vulnerable to union authorizations have been signed by a Business argues that the EFCA would pressure. majority of employees, the employer strip an employee of the right to choose, would be legally required to recognize freely and anonymously, while exposing Management pressure real and bargain with the union. employees to undue pressure from Those employees participating in the As under current law, the NLRB unions. survey reported management pressure would continue to order elections when That argument has intuitive appeal was a much bigger issue than pressure there is a genuine question as to whether because secret ballots, voting alone in a from unions. Four times as many workers employees want a union. ballot booth, are how we elect our gov- reported being "greatly" coerced by man- In fact, the Employee Free Choice ernment leaders. But union elections agement as opposed to the union (22 per- would guarantee greater employee partic- under the NLRB do not work in the same cent vs. 6 percent). ipation in the process because a majority way. Under current law, an employer can of eligible employees must sign autho- legally recognize a union if a majority of rizations before a union can be certified. Coercion illegal employees demonstrates the wish to be In an NLRB election, only a majority of It is already illegal for anyone to represented by the union by signing the ballots cast determines the outcome. coerce employees to sign a union autho- authorization cards. In union elections, as with our political rization and there is little evidence that However, the decision whether to rec- elections, not all eligible voters typically such coercion exists. ognize the union on this kind of majority come to the polls and cast ballots.

gas boiler to freeze. Savvy to the prob- long history as a Vietnam veteran, a high lem, he got it going. school history teacher and two decades of "It was a tense situation and we all service as a boilermaker at another area were cursing and yelling because all of plant. my co-workers know I have a hearing "I have one flaw, and that's telling the disability, but it was just the bogus truth," he said. excuse Sanders needed as company presi- Employment is tight in northern dent," he said. Colorado. While he's looking for a new Hohrein was sent home on a suspen- job, Hohrein is not expecting quick jus- sion and got a call on Jan. 8 telling him tice. In fact, Front Range sought to kick he was terminated. "It was revenge for him when he was down and out by chal- my talking up the union," he said. lenging his application for state unemployment compensation. Labor law violations alleged Nevertheless, Hohrein was awarded a The USW filed six charges with the monthly jobless benefit by the state hear- NLRB for an accumulation of labor law ing officer, who said he was "discharged violations at Front Range Energy that for hostile actions toward other employ- include harassment, providing non-union ees. The available evidence does not sub- supporters with better conditions than stantiate this allegation. In the absence of union supporters, and ordering employ- a volitional act on your part, you are not ees not to talk to union advocates. responsible for the separation." Hohrein is no troublemaker. He has a It's not yet justice, but it's something.

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wo years after the Ormet plant in He was met with a positive approach. hiring preference at the restarted smelter Hannibal, Ohio, was shut down by By July, members of Local 5724 for rolling mill employees. T bankruptcy and a bitter labor dis- voted to accept a new agreement that A dramatic drop in the price of alu- pute, USW members are again making included a signing bonus, wage increas- mina forced the closure of the Burnside, aluminum. es, profit-sharing and guaranteed fund- La. refinery at year's end. The company The first batch of metal was poured ing for retiree benefits through a VEBA, promised to shut down the refinery so it less than a week before Christmas with or Voluntary Employee Beneficiary can be reopened quickly should alumina about 500 employees back at work. Association. Another agreement cover- prices rise. Employment is In Hannibal the expected to grow to restart has brought a 1,000 by April. new spirit of coopera- "It means a lot to tion that is clearly evi- us," Loren dent at the plant, rank- Hartshorn, president and-file members and of USW Local 5724, union leaders said. said when the first "People are cooperat- metal was poured on ing. They're working Dec. 19. ing an alumina refinery in Burnside, La., together," Hartshorn, the local union About 1,500 USW members struck in was also approved. president, said. "It is something that 2004 when a bankruptcy court judge Investors including major shareholder needed to happen." allowed Ormet to void its labor con- MatlinPatterson Asset Management of tracts. New York provided more money to fund Glad to be back the restart. A new long-term power deal Bob Maine, a grievance committee Road back difficult was negotiated with American Electric member, described the new positive The road back to work was difficult Power (AEP). atmosphere in the plant as the difference and full of pitfalls. It took new manage- between night and day when compared ment and a willingness of negotiators on Electricity turned on with the old regime before the strike. both sides to look beyond past problems. Ormet's new power agreement was "It was a long two years,''added "Finally, something positive is hap- approved by state regulators in Maine, who works where molten alu- pening at Ormet," Ohio's new governor, November, and, after workers prepared minum is poured into molds. "Was it Ted Strickland, said. "People are work- smelting pots, the electricity was turned worth it? Hell yes. Every bit of it." ing together to build a positive future." back on in December. The strike was 19 months old when Campbell, an Ohio native who relo- tentative labor agreements were cated from New York to run the plant, announced last June 30. But the said when he first arrived local residents company still faced huge bankruptcy would tell him how important it was for court claims and the loss of a favorable the plant to resume operations. power contract. "I had a fear of disappointing the New CEO Ken Campbell approached community," he said. "That was my USW District 1 Director Dave McCall, greatest motivation." USW negotiator Mark Shaw and Ron During the dispute, Ormet sold its Bloom, special assistant to USW rolling mill in Hannibal to Aleris President Leo W. Gerard, to see International Inc., which removed equip-

Photo by Scott McCloskey/The Intelligencer. if the talks could be resumed. ment. The union, however, negotiated Photo by Jim McKay.

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wo and a half years of solidarity, that provides substantial economic ments agreeing the USW would lead the determination and courage by gains, and landmark security protections negotiations and that District 12 Director T some 1,600 copper workers has never before achieved in the U.S. min- Terry Bonds, who chairs the USW's resulted in an unprecedented victory ing industry. Nonferrous Industry Conference, would against a company that had been hell- be the chief spokesman for all the bent on wiping out retiree benefits and Struggle and solidarity unions. When the contracts expired on busting the union. In 2004, there were seven different July 1, 2004, the workers refused to It took a strike, a corporate campaign labor agreements with varying contract accept the company's concessionary against Grupo México — the third language, expiration dates, and pension demands but continued working for a largest copper producer in the world, plans. The USW, along with seven other year without a contract. assistance from unions in our global unions representing workers employed When bargaining began at Arizona's alliances, a bankruptcy and finally the by ASARCO, began bargaining in the Ray Mines in May 2005, the company replacement of management before spring of 2004 only to find that the com- continued to demand concessions. meaningful negotiations got under way pany was demanding massive wage and Workers again refused and the union to reach an agreement that fulfills the benefit concessions. filed Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) needs of our members and retirees. Prior to the commencement of nego- charges with the NLRB. When the Ray ASARCO workers in Arizona and tiations, all the other unions signed state- Mines contract expired in July 2005, all Texas have won a new labor agreement ASARCO workers began a ULP strike. Photos by Jack Kurtz.

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The company attempted to break the Even after their members returned to "After the 1983 Phelps Dodge strike by hiring scabs. work, local unions immediately began strike," he reflected, "many so-called That summer, ASARCO, owned by preparing for the fight to come. The experts said that unions would never Grupo México, filed for Chapter 11 recently concluded agreement is the again win a strike against a copper com- bankruptcy reorganization in response to product of this extraordinary struggle. pany. But our members proved them growing environmental and asbestos wrong. We don't have to accept inequal- obligations. In October, the NLRB CEO gets the boot ity or economic injustice. Our members issued a complaint against ASARCO for With the company in Chapter 11, the have proved that we can fight back and unilateral changes to policies, direct atmosphere surrounding the negotiations win." dealing and for illegally threatening and changed dramatically. The company's Highlights of the settlement include a intimidating hourly workers in addition management group was moved aside by single Master Agreement that replaces to other charges in response to the ULP the creditors' committee. Grupo the seven different contracts and their charges filed by the union. México's directors and CEO were tossed varying language and expiration dates. The tide was clearly turning against out and an independent board of direc- With a single agreement, the unions will Grupo México. tors and later, a new CEO were named now bargain, and if necessary, take col- With the involvement of the credi- to lead the company. lective action together. Other key items tors’ committee formed in ASARCO’s The new management chose a path of include: bankruptcy case, the USW and the com- cooperation with the unions, rather than • A $3,000 signing bonus, substantial pany agreed in November 2005 to settle confrontation. wage and benefit improvements. the strike by extending the labor agree- The two and a half year struggle Instead of the massive wage and ben- ments for one year, with the USW gain- ended in late December 2006 when the efit concessions the company origi- ing successorship protections regarding unions were able to conclude a new nally demanded, the agreement any sale of the company and manage- agreement, subject to ratification by the increases wages and pensions. ment giving up the right for one year to membership. ask the court to nullify the contract, Director Bonds has been involved in retiree benefits, or the pension plan. copper negotiations since becoming director of District 12 in 1998.

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• Restoration of health care benefits for Following approval by the bankruptcy court, the agreement is retroactive to retirees to previously negotiated levels. Jan. 1, 2007, and expires on June 30, 2010. The 1,600 ASARCO employees cov- In 2003, Grupo México unilaterally ered under the agreement are members of the United Steelworkers, IBEW, changed retiree health care benefits dra- Machinists, Boilermakers, Teamsters, Operating Engineers, Millwrights and matically increasing the cost to retirees. Pipefitters. Benefits will be restored with affordable premiums. • Stronger corporate protections regarding the sale of the company or single plants. The renewed and improved protections included added requirements that ASARCO invest in its properties. hen USW President Leo W. Gerard signed a strategic global alliance Restrictions also prevent a parent com- in Phoenix on April 13, 2005, with Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, presi- pany or investor from siphoning off Wdent of the National Union of Mining, Steel and Allied Workers of cash. the Republic of Mexico (SNTMMSRM), few would have predicted how • Greater bargaining power. important it would be to winning the fight against Grupo México. The new agreement sets the stage for They pledged cooperation and assistance during the struggles to win con- increasing the union's bargaining tracts with the common employer — Grupo México. They agreed to form strength by securing a pledge that cross-national networks of unions to continue on-going exchanges between ASARCO remain neutral in future orga- SNTMMSRM and USW activists to refine the alliance and develop joint nizing campaigns and allow the unions strategies. to participate in new employee orienta- SNTMMSRM lived up to its commitment. The Mexican union sponsored tion programs. a demonstration where more than 700 of their members joined a delegation of USW members and marched from union headquarters in Mexico City to Grupo México's headquarters. It was the first protest in the history of the Mexican labor movement that was held in Mexico on behalf of an American union. Solidarity meetings were held in Peru and Mexico City between the USW and SNTMMSRM, and with representatives of metals and mining industry unions from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Trinidad. The global alliance increased communications, collaboration and coordina- tion across national borders and put the ultimate pressure on Grupo México, leading the creditors' committee in ASARCO’s bankruptcy to recognize that the existing management was a major roadblock to an agreement. "The Mexican Mineworkers Union has proved to be a strong ally to our union, joining in decisive battles to support our members," said Leo W. Gerard. "I've come to know and establish a close personal friendship with their president, Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, who is establishing a reputation as a great leader in the North American labor movement." Photo by Jack Kurtz.

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John Cunnard President Local 1211

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159-year-old copper producer plant is the leading busbar producer in result is that there has not been a work founded in Pittsburgh is bucking the world, supplying the electrical power stoppage in over a quarter century and A a national trend by ignoring distribution industry. grievances are rare. pressure to build a non-union plant in Hussey is facing intense foreign com- "We've only had two written griev- Mexico. petition, especially from companies with ances over the past year," said John Managers at the firm, Hussey locations in Mexico. Even worse, Cunnard, president of Local 1211. Copper, say they are proud of their many of Hussey's customers have plants "When we have a problem, we work it USW-represented work force. Workers in Mexico and they want Hussey to out on the shop floor." at Hussey have been producing quality build a facility there, saying they need Cunnard credits his highly skilled copper products since the company's local sourcing. membership for making the company founding in Pittsburgh in 1848. Its what it is today. He is especially proud major product then was roofing material. Great work ethic of Leetsdale's safety performance. "We The company now operates two "That's not what we are about," says haven't had any lost time injuries over plants. One is located in Leetsdale, Pa., Hussey's executive vice president David the past year in the casting operation. where 225 workers are members of Allen. "We've got a dedicated work That means no burns or strains. Our Local 1211. The other is in Eminence, force with a great work ethic. They plant is very safety conscious. We see a Ky., where 116 workers are represented really take pride in what they're doing problem, we get if fixed." by Local 1693. The two plants produce and we can deliver our products just as The workers produce the highest a variety of copper products, including well from here." quality copper products in the world. transformer winding, copper tape, cop- Management respects the workers, They take personal pride in the MADE per strip, sheet and plate. The Eminence making for good labor relations. The IN U.S.A. label on every shipment.

Leetsdale's reverbatory furnace, fueled by natural gas and oxygen, casts 20 million pounds a month and is the only one like it in the U.S. Photos by Gerald Dickey. Roller Joe D'Alessandris takes the copper strip down to a quarter inch.

Wheelman Eugene Curenton separates coils to go on a payoff reel that feeds the Tisken Mill.

Plate saw operator Helen Silvak checks and records the gauge.

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In countless ways, the United Steelworkers is a better labor union for the 46 years Bernie Kleiman spent as its general counsel, lead steel industry negotiator, trouble shooter and close advisor to five international presidents. "Bernie Kleiman was in fact the most important person the union ever had,'' USW President Leo W. Gerard said at a memo- rial service for him at Pittsburgh headquarters. "I can't imagine the union without him."

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union in the most profound and unwaver- was truly revolutionary," said Bloom. ing way imaginable,'' said Ron Bloom, "But the truly astounding part... was special assistant to the president. "His when he asserted, with a completely was a devotion rooted in an unshakable straight face, that the company giving knowledge that what we do sits at the away this right was in fact good for them very core of making the world a better — that this proposal was so good for the place for ourselves and our children…" company that if the company were really smart, they would be proposing it them- Created legal department selves." Mr. Kleiman created the union's well- During his tenure as general counsel, respected Legal Department in 1965, and the union had 18 cases before the U.S. r. Kleiman, 78, died unexpect- played a key role in the April 1974 feder- Supreme Court. The union won 13 of edly on Dec. 13, 2006 of heart al Consent Decree that brought the steel them and lost five. One was the Weber Mfailure. He was the union's industry into compliance with the Civil case, which affirmed the legality under general counsel from 1965 through 1997 Rights Act. That agreement opened mill Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of affir- and was most recently special counsel to jobs to minorities and women. mative action plans in employment. Gerard. He also served former presidents Mr. Kleiman was also the principal He worked with companies including George Becker, Lynn Williams, Lloyd negotiator and designer of the 1973 Allegheny Ludlum, Bridgestone/ McBride and I.W. Abel. Experimental Negotiating Agreement Firestone, Continental Tire, Gerdau (ENA) with the steel industry, which Ameristeel, Goodyear, ISG (International Great strength, determination barred strikes in return for contract arbi- Steel Group), Kaiser Aluminum, "He had a great strength, a great deter- tration when there was a dispute. Newport News Shipbuilding, WCI Steel, mination to do what is right," Williams The ENA was designed to persuade U.S. Steel and many others. said of Mr. Kleiman at the service. "His domestic steel users not to buy foreign energy, dedication and hard work were imports every three years when union High school center legendary around the union." contracts were up for renegotiation and Born in Chicago, Mr. Kleiman grew Although Mr. Kleiman officially product stockpiling occurred. up in Kendallville, a small town in north- retired from the union last summer, he The agreement was in place for nearly eastern Indiana where his father was a continued to put in long days at work a decade and is credited with raising the scrap dealer. In that basketball-crazy without pay. Just the week before his average wage of state, Mr. Kleiman played center death, he participated in a "Solidarity steelworkers from on his high school varsity team. Tour" of striking Goodyear locations. $2.50 an hour to Mr. Kleiman enlisted in the His role with the union was much $12.50 an hour, U.S. Army after graduation from broader than the typical duties of general English said. high school just after the end of counsel. In addition to his legal work, he When the 1980s World War II and served in Korea. was a respected contract negotiator, labor brought a downturn After the service, he returned to strategist, counselor and political activist. in steel, he pio- Indiana and attended Purdue In essence, he was the union's chief neered strategic University, majoring in metallurgi- contract bargainer along with the USW approaches to bar- cal engineering. He then enrolled presidents he served over the decades, gaining that were at Northwestern University School said USW Secretary-Treasurer James aimed at saving the of Law, where he was awarded a English. industry while pre- law review position. He especially enjoyed working with serving employment In 1960, he became counsel to the union's rank-and-file members and opportunities. He also helped to negotiate the Steelworkers' former District 31 cov- proudly represented their interests at bar- the creation of the Institute for Career ering Northwest Indiana and the Greater gaining tables in many industries. Development (ICD), a company-paid Chicago area. As District Counsel, he "Bernie will always be close to my program that provides lifelong learning brought a successful lawsuit to force the heart,'' said Pete Savoy, president of a opportunities for USW members. state of Illinois to reapportion the state USW local at a Gerdau Ameristeel plant legislature on a one-person one-vote in Beaumont, Texas. "He was not just a Protected jobs basis, thereby giving urban, predominant- negotiator, but a friend to Local 8586 and Among his significant contributions ly working-class voters a much greater myself." was contract language in steel that gave voice in the election of lawmakers. Mr. Kleiman was known for marathon USW members job protections from out- Word of his talents spread through the negotiating efforts, getting by on a few side contractors. Basically, he established union and in 1965 he was named general hours of sleep and carrying a "magic the principle that our members have first counsel of the entire union by I.W. Abel. briefcase" stuffed with notes from count- priority for all work in steel mills that Outside the union, he was active in the less bargaining sessions. His warm and they are capable of doing. Democratic Party, the Americans for generous spirit never wavered. "For those who know something about Democratic Action, and the American "He believed in the mission of this the structure of labor agreements, this Civil Liberties Union.

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he Steelworkers who build the world-renowned Harley- Davidson power trains have made sure that Milwaukee TIron — the affectionate name long-time riders give to their machines — will stay in its hometown of Milwaukee. The 1,600 USW members employed at Harley's Milwaukee facilities were faced with a tough choice. The company proposed investing $120 million to expand power train capacity locally, enhancing job security for the workers already employed there and creating more than 100 new jobs. But the company sought difficult conditions. It wanted the union to agree to a second tier of lower wages for new hires, suspend cost of living adjustment (COLA) until 2012 and implement a contributory health care plan. "This was a hugely emotional issue for the membership," Jim Wheiland, president of USW Local 2-209, said after the members in November approved a memorandum of agreement to their contract with Harley- Davidson.

First offer rejected The first offer was soundly rejected on Oct. 16. The local union then returned to the table and came back with an offer that represented an increased investment by the company, reduced the wage gaps for new hires, and answered other questions about the previous offer. Demand for the big bikes con- tinues to be strong, making Harley- Davidson an American icon after 103 years in business. Previous expansions saw the company put production facilities in York, Pa., and Kansas City. But all big bike power train production remains in Milwaukee. The company's Made-in-America success can be linked to partnerships with its workers' unions — a unique approach that helped to propel the company back to success after being on the brink of bankruptcy in 1994. Through the USW-Harley Davidson Partnership Agreement, our union learned that another expansion was coming. Needing more Big Twin and XL power trains, the company was planning to build

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a new facility outside of Wisconsin. when they are hired full time. power train production jobs, but the There was, however, no doubt that the The bargaining committee went to union-negotiated training program will work would continue being done in the the membership again, this time with a encourage workers to move up into USA. different approach. Rather than rush to machine operator positions that will pay Union representatives made it clear a vote, the new proposal was printed and $24.42 an hour. Current employees in from the beginning that moving outside distributed well in advance. They held a those positions will continue to earn of Wisconsin was unacceptable and the series of informational meetings at all $28.83. expansion had to take place in work sites, covering all shifts. Emotions COLA payments will be suspended Milwaukee. The company expressed its still ran high but the membership came until 2012 for all employees and the concern about labor costs, prepared a to understand what was at stake. new hires will not be eligible to partici- proposal and presented it to the union. "We have the finest, most talented pate in the contributory annuity that is With the labor agreement in effect and most dedicated work force in the administered by the company. The new until 2008, there was no traditional bar- country," said Wheiland, the local union hires will be covered under the defined gaining. The union did not have the president. "Based on our record alone, benefit pension that pays a multiplier of right to strike. The company's initial we've earned this new investment." $47 for every year of service. offer was take it or leave it. But the company was still concerned A new cost-sharing health care pack- with labor costs and would not expand age will cover new hires on Jan. 1, Rush to a decision in Milwaukee without a reduction. 2007, and cover all employees on July The local union leadership did not 1, 2008. It has the same choice network like the offer but they understood what A tough choice as the existing plan. Two levels of cov- was at stake. If they rejected the pro- "It's a gun put to our head," said Sue erage require no employee contribution. posal, a new production facility would Anderson, a stator operator with 16 The third one, called the Heritage Plan, be built in another state. It would have years of service. "We didn't have a will require a monthly contribution of state of the art equipment and lower choice. I don't want this company mov- $15 to $25 for a single person, and labor costs. In years ahead, members of ing down South." between $47 and $78 for family Local 2-209 would face competition "With a gun to my head, I'd rather not coverage. from another plant. have it go off," said Ken "Whitey" Ard, "The health care plan will remain in The local union took the proposal and a winder operator with 36 years of ser- effect until 2012," Wheiland said. "The within four days, printed it and present- vice who plans on retiring in 2007. "I'd company cannot change it, no matter ed it to the membership in an auditorium rather have a job." how much health care costs increase. big enough to hold everyone. It was a "We can't give our work away," said Our membership is protected." raucous affair. Passions were running Don Captain, a 38-year veteran. "We high as members filled the hall. Workers need to keep our jobs." were in no mood to listen to anything Jamie Fatla, a union member for about concessions. The proposal never 14 years who rebuilds engines for deal- had a chance. At the end of the tumul- ers, summed it up best. "I'm looking tuous meeting, the proposal was rejected forward to 30 and out. No one likes to by a vote of 934-297. give up anything but our bargaining Following the rejection, the company power is strengthened by having one Photos by Gerald Dickey. announced that it would proceed with its plant make the engines. This agreement expansion plans outside of Wisconsin. assures our future." "We couldn't let this happen," said This time, Local 2-209 members District 2 Director Jon Geenen. "This had more than a week to review the work belongs in Milwaukee. Our proposal and get their questions union's priority was to keep the answered before coming to a decision. jobs right where they are. We In voting conducted at work sites, the wanted to protect our members proposal was approved 943 to 536. and the community." The union approached the compa- Looking forward ny a second time in an effort to fix "Now we can look forward to the more odious provisions of the expanding here, rather than worry proposal. The company agreed to about a rival plant that would produce narrow the wage gaps between the the same product," Wheiland said. two tiers and include 44 season- The lowest starting wage rate for al, casual workers who are new hires will be $18.25 an hour for union members to be included in the first-tier work force

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he United Steelworkers was instrumental in persuading the T U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigations Board (CSB) to call for new federal regulations to control industrial dust that can ignite and explode with fatal consequences. "Dust explosions are catastrophic," said Carolyn W. Merritt, chairwoman of the safety board. "They come with no notice. People get caught from falling debris or in fireballs. They can't get away." Many USW represented facilities are exposed to combustible dust hazards. Dust explosions occur primarily in plants making rubber, plastics and chemicals along with those that make metal, lumber, wood and food products.

USW safety experts testify Safety experts from the USW testified before the CSB, which has recommended that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration adopt standards that deal explicitly with the hazard. "Combustible dust is a real problem all over industry,'' USW safety specialist Steve Sallman told the CSB. He discussed two flash fires that took place in the compounding room at the Continental General Tire plant in Mayfield, Ky. during a nine-month period in 2005. Those fires were relatively minor when compared with three other industrial explosions in 2003 that prompted the chemical board to launch a two- year probe ending with its recommendations to OSHA. Those three accidents resulted in a total of 14 deaths and 81 injuries. On Jan. 29, 2003, a fatal dust explosion at West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. near Kinston, N.C. killed six workers and injured 38 other people including two fire fighters. A Feb. 20, 2003 accident at CTA Acoustics in Corbin, Ky., a producer of fiberglass insulation for automobiles, killed seven. Later that year, on Oct. 29, a maintenance worker died in an explosion at Hayes Lemmerz International, a wheel manufacturer in Huntington, Ind. The blast at West Pharmaceutical totally destroyed the plant, which

burned for two days and now is a AP Photo/Bob Jordan.

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rusted shell. The explosion was felt 25 miles Protection Association. But OSHA inspectors away. Burning debris ignited fires in wooded are rarely trained on that standard, and it is not areas two miles away. widely accessible. "It was a great big boom," recalled former "Unfortunately, right now they're simply worker Delma Moore, who vividly remembers guidelines and OSHA is pushing voluntary the day of the explosion. "It shook the house. compliance," the USW's Sallman said in an Then it looked like, you know, how the atomic interview. "But the problem with voluntary bomb looked when it went off. That's the way compliance is not everybody volunteers to the mushroom was in the sky." comply." The West Pharmaceutical investigation discovered that polyethylene dust the consistency Safety data inadequate of talcum powder had accumulated above a Additionally, raw materials sold in bulk to dropped ceiling over a production area where factories are not often labeled as being potential slabs of rubber were made. The rubber was fire hazards, he said. used to make medical items including syringe "Material safety data sheets do not talk about plungers and rubber stoppers for vials. dust. They do not adequately convey informa- "The ultimate source of the large explosion tion to employers and employees and their rep- that destroyed the plant was the dust accumula- resentatives about the hazards of dust,'' Sallman tion, and that is where future efforts need to said. focus," said Steve Selk, the lead CSB investiga- When OSHA has a standard, Sallman said tor. "Without accumulated fuel, dust explosions employers go to greater lengths to understand simply do not occur." the requirements and resources are provided to achieve compliance. Without a standard or reg- Oversight flawed ulation, management typically does not commit During its two-year investigation, the CSB the resources necessary to protect their workers. found weaknesses in the oversight of manufac- "It is most definitely needed," Sallman said. turing plants where combustible dust can be U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao has 180 found. OSHA has no specific standards dealing days from the board's recommendation, made with the potential hazards of dust, which can last November, to formally respond. If she become explosive under certain conditions declines to implement the board's recommenda- because their surface area is large relative to tion, she must state a reason. weight. The chemical board isn't always successful State and local fire codes often address the at persuading OSHA to improve workplace issue, but factory sites are rarely inspected to safety. In 2002, the board called on OSHA to check for compliance. OSHA currently relies impose stricter rules governing the mixing of on a "General Duty Clause" in its regulations reactive chemicals, but no rules were adopted. which simply require that employers provide a That inaction may have had unfortunate con- safe and healthy workplace free from recog- sequences. Mixing reactive chemicals is sus- nized hazards capable of causing serious injury pected of causing a late-night fire last October or death. at an Environmental Quality Co. plant in Apex, There are voluntary "consensus" standards N.C. The resulting toxic cloud forced about such as one developed by the National Fire 16,000 people to evacuate their homes. Given the Bush administration's past record on siding with workers, Chao's OSHA may very well ignore the recommendation for a Safety Board Conclusions standard despite the obvious need. In that case, • Dust explosions and fires occurred in workplaces in 44 states between 1980 and a new administration could pick up the ball after the 2008 election. 2005. The incidents killed 119 people and injured 718 people. USW safety specialist Steve • Dust explosions occur primarily in industries producing rubber, plastic, Sallman testifies before the U.S. chemicals, metal, lumber and wood products. Chemical and Safety Board. • No U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard adequately addresses combustible dust hazards. • Fire code inspectors rarely inspect industrial sites to enforce local and state codes addressing combustible dust. • Makers of raw materials fail to warn customers that their products are dangerous.

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va Rowe, 22, was driving from Hornbeck, La. to see her "You forget what your mom sounds like," she said. parents in Texas City when she stopped for gas and As part of the settlement, BP promised to donate $32 mil- E heard on the radio that the BP refinery had exploded. lion to various colleges and hospitals in Texas, Tennessee and She tried to call her mom but received no answer. Both her Louisiana. Rowe and her attorney have donated $100,000 each parents worked six to seven days a week as contractors at the to educational foundations. refinery. "I was horrified and really scared," she said. "I feared the Safety problems addressed worst happened. My mom always answered her cell phone." BP also promised to address problems at the Texas City The worst did happen. James and Linda Rowe were two of refinery including moving trailers away from operating units the 15 fatalities from the March 23, 2005 explosion and fire at and to replace blowdown drum pressure-relief systems with BP's Texas City refinery that also injured over 170 people. flares. Those killed were working in temporary trailers at the The younger Rowe blamed London-based BP's cost-cutting time of the explosion. for her parents death and filed a civil lawsuit against the com- Now that the case is settled, Rowe said she plans to go to pany that was settled out of court late last year. college, buy a house, do charity work and advocate for work- She wanted the company to change its approach to health place safety nationwide. She is pressing for occupational and safety and insisted on BP giving back to the community health legislation that would improve refinery conditions. and making public internal documents related to the case, so that such an explosion could not happen again. Even though other lawsuits related to fatalities had been settled, Rowe stood by her demands. It was only when attor- neys were getting ready to select jurors for trial that the lawsuit was concluded. The settlement called for BP to donate millions of dollars to schools and medical facilities, including one where victims were treated after the explosion, in addition to an undisclosed amount for Rowe. BP also met her demand that the company continue to release documents related to the case. "I'm very satisfied with the outcome to be able to help so many people in the community and make a difference for long-term things," Rowe said. "I didn't want my parents to be forgotten."

Small town girl Eva Rowe grew up in Hornbeck, a small town in western Louisiana. Her father usually worked out of town at refineries in Texas and Louisiana, and her

mom was a teacher's assistant at the local high AP Photo/The Galveston County Daily News, Kevin Bartram school for about 10 years. About a year before the explosion, James, 48, and Linda, 47, decided they wanted to work together so they could live with each other. It would be the first time during their 30-year marriage that they did not live apart. "My mom was like my sister. I was really lost and didn't know what to do," she said. "We laughed a lot, fished and used to do everything together." For a long time after the accident she rang her mother's cell phone just to hear her mom's message.

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n independent review panel led At each of the refineries the panel safer and that future tragedies like the by former Secretary of State found a lack of operating discipline, tol- Texas City accident can be avoided." A James Baker found serious defi- eration of serious deviations from safe Recognizing that adherence to safety ciencies in BP's approach to keeping operating practices and complacency starts at the top, the panel recommended workers safe at its U.S. refineries. toward serious process safety risks. that BP management, including the The Baker panel, which included a BP focused and measured personal board of directors and top executives, USW representative, was convened at safety such as slips, falls and vehicle not only voice the importance of process the urging of the U.S. Chemical Safety accidents, instead of real process safety safety but ensure their actions and poli- Board after the Texas City explosion. hazards such as leaks, spills, equipment cies reflect their commitment to it. The panel's recommendations focused malfunctions, excessive temperatures, The panel urged BP to establish and on improving BP's corporate safety over- corrosion and metal fatigue. put into practice an integrated and com- sight, safety culture and safety manage- Not unique to BP prehensive process safety management ment at all five refineries. "We are under no illusion that the system that consistently identifies, The USW represents workers at BP's deficiencies we have identified are reduces and manages process safety facilities in Texas City, Texas; Carson, unique to BP," Baker said. "If other risks. It said a system should be in place Calif.; Toledo, Ohio and Whiting, Ind. refining and chemical companies consid- to ensure all employees and contractors BP’s refinery in Cherry Point, Wash., is er our recommendations and apply them, possess an appropriate level of process non-union. we believe that those workplaces will be safety knowledge and expertise.

ederal investigators blamed BP's equipped with an attached vent stack. responsible to cut budgets related to cost-cutting and failure to act on The flammable mix overflowed onto safety and maintenance without thor- F known safety hazards for a March the ground with the force of a geyser. oughly examining the impact on the risk 23, 2005 explosion that killed 15 work- Contract workers in nearby trailers were of a catastrophic accident." ers and injured more than 170 others at killed and injured when the mix ignited the company's Texas City, Texas refin- and caused a series of explosions. ery. BP engineers in 2002 proposed Notably, the U.S. Chemical Safety replacing the blowdown drum with a he USW took the lead in demand- Board said the explosion could have safer flare system in keeping with coming an independent investigation of been avoided if BP had installed a safety pany policy, but this was never done T the March 2005 explosion at BP's flare system on the unit that exploded. because of cost pressures, said CSB lead Texas City refinery, and is making sure Similar hazards exist throughout the investigator Don Holmstrom. lessons are learned from the incident so industry, the board said. The CSB's investigation showed that that it never happens again. "The experience at BP should serve BP's global management was aware of Immediately after the explosion, the as a cautionary tale to every oil and problems with maintenance, spending USW sent Kim Nibarger, a health and

AP Photo/The Galveston County Daily News, Kevin Bartram chemical company," CSB Chairwoman and infrastructure as a result of audits safety specialist, to be the union's lead Carolyn W. Merritt said. conducted in 2003 and 2004 well before investigator. When the Chemical Safety On the day of the Texas City explo- the explosion. Board called for an independent review sion, a distillation tower was inadver- Stringent budget cuts throughout the panel to examine BP's safety culture and tently over-filled with highly flammable BP system caused a progressive deterio- systems, the union appointed Glenn liquid hydrocarbons during start up of ration of safety at Texas City, the board Erwin, who directs the USW's Triangle the refinery's octane-boosting isomeriza- found. Maintenance and infrastructure of Prevention program. Erwin worked in tion unit (ISOM). Critical alarms and expenditures were reduced. Training the chemical plant at Texas City when it control instrumentation malfunctioned. staff and control board operation posi- was owned by Amoco. Pressure built up in the distillation tions were cut. The union and the company have tower, causing emergency relief valves "Every successful corporation must agreed in principle on a comprehensive to open and empty the liquid and vapors, contain its costs," Merritt said. "But at joint safety initiative to carry out the which overwhelmed a blowdown drum an aging facility like Texas City, it is not panel's recommendations.

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iberia, home of a huge Bridgestone/Firestone rubber plantation

and rich forests and iron ore mines, is emerging from a long and Photos by Mari L brutal civil war and the USW is playing a role in promoting labor law reforms and a stronger presence for organized labor. The West African country is suffering from serious poverty that was greatly exacerbated by 14 years of war and the resulting destruc- tion of the economy. Roads, electricity and water supplies and other infrastructure were destroyed. Unemployment is high. Illiteracy soared during the war years as schools were destroyed during the conflict in which children fought on the front lines. Since a newly elected democratic government took office in 2006, international donors have pledged aid to rebuild schools, hospitals and roads while multinational corpo- rations are preparing to again invest in the country, giving unions a unique opportunity to affect labor policies and renegotiate rules governing operations of multinational companies. Mittal Steel Mittal Steel, the world's largest steelmaker and a major USW employer in the United States, has entered into an agreement to develop iron ore mines that were abandoned and destroyed during the war. Mittal has promised to redevelop the mines and pour money into railways and port infrastructure. "It's a very exciting time in Liberia. They are at a critical moment," said Mike Zelinski, a staff member with the USW's strategic campaign department. "The needs in Liberia are enormous, but so is the potential for making a dramatic difference in the lives of workers." The USW and the AFL-CIO's Solidarity Center sent a delegation to Liberia last October that included Zelinski and Marilyn Brown, an activist from USW Local 1055 at the Bridgestone Firestone plant, in La Vernge, Tenn. Another delegation led by USW International Vice President Fred Redmond had visited the rubber plantation the previous July. Over 11 days, the delegation provided training for trade union leaders and rank-and-file activists on union building and strategic planning. They also worked to establish ties with two labor federations and activist workers involved in key

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sectors in Liberia, During the protest, tappers and other particularly the laborers cited unsafe and unsanitary by Marilyn Brown Bridgestone/ working conditions, inadequate health Firestone plantation, care and discrimination in addition to low iron ore miners and wages. Tappers said they were forced to forestry workers. enlist their families, including young chil- Liberia's trade dren, to help them meet production quo- union federations tas. They must tap 650 trees a day for the have been given a equivalent of $3.38. seat at the table as After tapping the trees, workers carry part of a tripartite two buckets each weighing as much as 65 dialogue with gov- pounds on their shoulders. Some must ernment and business aimed at walk from one mile to 15 miles to deposit overhauling the labor code. their loads. "We trained workers from the "They have to meet a quota, but it is Firestone plantation, from forestry so high that they have to bring their chil- and lumber products — regular dren along to help. If they don't make rank-and-file workers and some their quota, they dock their pay," Brown labor leaders," Brown said. "They said. are eager to get back into the work The plantation workers graciously force and eager to get unions back invited the delegation into their homes — up and working." one room shacks with no running water The delegation also spent time at or electricity. Families share outdoor bath- the million-acre rubber plantation, room facilities. which was established in 1926 by "It's slavery, glorified slavery," Brown Harvey Firestone and is now part of said. "They say because they pay them it the Tokyo-based Bridgestone Corp. isn't slavery. But you can never own any- Kofi Woods, the new Minister of thing because you live on their land. They Labor, is a former human rights can kick you out. You have nothing." activist who was instrumental in documenting labor and human rights USW donates to children abuses at the rubber plantation. As a result of the earlier delegation "While his agency is severely visit led by Vice President Redmond, underfunded and understaffed, he USW members attending the union's Civil appears to be committed to serious Rights Conference donated $1,200 that reform,'' Zelinski said of Woods. Brown used to purchase school supplies Before joining the government, that she passed out to children at Liberian Woods assisted the International schools. Labor Rights Fund (ILRF) in prepar- "We gave young kids pencils and pening a lawsuit filed against the compa- cil sharpeners and the older kids note- ny over both child and forced labor. books and pens. You would have thought International attention, including the they hit the lottery," Brown said, adding lawsuit, appears to have pushed that she hopes to continue collecting Bridgestone to make an effort to pro- clothes and other donations. vide more educational and medical Bridgestone/Firestone last year pre- facilities, but much more must be done. vented members of Brown's local in Positive change also resulted from a LaVergne, Tenn. from conducting volun- wildcat strike last February by 6,000 tary plant gate collections to help the workers who demanded improved liv- Liberian rubber farm workers — a move ing conditions and wages. The strikers that was angrily denounced by the union. included some 4,000 casual workers The USW intends to remain active in who score the bark of rubber trees to helping the Liberian workers and unions tap latex sap used in rubber-making. since many of our members in the United Latex has been Liberia's top States work for some of the same multi- export since the United Nations national companies that operate there. imposed a ban on the country's sales "We have a common interest in build- of timber and diamonds during ing strong unions around the world, the now-ended regime of for- unions that can work together to demand mer warlord turned president corporate accountability and respect for Charles Taylor. workers rights," Zelinski said.

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USW Wins $1.3 Million for Employees and Retirees everal hundred former employees and retirees of an aluminum smelter in Hawesville, Ky., now represented by the United Steelworkers, are entitled to Sshare the $1.3 million proceeds of a stock distribution from the reorganization of a mutual insurance company into a stock company, a federal appeals court has ruled. The favorable ruling for the union came from the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Last November, it reversed a previous decision in favor of Southwire, a former owner of the smelter that had been issued in 2004 by a federal court in Kentucky. "This ruling brings to a close one of our last remaining chapters with Southwire,'' said Gary Erwin, vice president of USW Local 9423. "We are delighted that the court ruled in this manner, as our retirees and members stand to recoup some of what was Stan Johnson lost under our former employer." New Director of District 9 The Appeals Court cited Kentucky law and the demutualization plan adopted by tan Johnson is the new director of the Prudential Insurance in making its decision to send the case back to district court for USW's District 9. He succeeded for- further proceedings consistent with the new opinion. S mer Director Connie Entrekin, who The smelter has been owned since 2000 by Century Aluminum, which also has agreed to work as a special assistant to claimed a right to the funds but stated that if it prevailed it would give the funds to USW President Leo W. Gerard. employees and retirees. A native of Springfield, Tenn., Johnson started his career as a production worker for Women of Steel bring joy to disabled girl Pirelli Armstrong Tire, where he held n addition to lending support in labor disputes, participating in legislative actions various local union offices including and contributing to their own basic union functions, USW Local 9477 in Maryland president of United Rubber Workers helps with the important job of building the union's image in the community. Local 670. I Each year members of the Women of Steel committee write down the charities they After the URW's 1995 merger with the wish to support and pick one by holding a drawing. The one chosen gets the proceeds USW, Johnson served in Pittsburgh as from an event the women organize. National Rapid Response Coordinator, This year the winner was the Sunshine Foundation, which bills itself as "the original director of the Dislocated Workers Program, wish-granting organization." The Women of Steel wanted to assistant to the International President, sponsor someone locally, so the charity promoted 7-year-old assistant to the International Secretary- Gabriella Corbett of Perry Hall. She was born with spina bifida Treasurer and special assistant to the and uses a wheelchair. Her wish was to go to Disney World. International President for Organizing. To fulfill her dream, the Women of Steel held their second Johnson relocated to Cornelius, N.C. in annual Halloween dance and raised over $3,000 to send Gabby, early 2003 as Sub-District Director. He her parents and older brother to Disney World in Florida. later moved to Birmingham, Ala., where he "She was so appreciative and kept saying 'thank you' over was subsequently appointed Assistant and over again," said Kathy Garrison, chair of the Local 9477 Director of Women of Steel committee. "It was very worthwhile to see District 9. Gabby smile and giggle." District 9 covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, DuPont Abandons Nerve Gas Plan uPont Corp. has abandoned a plan — opposed by the USW and community Mississippi, leaders — to treat a highly dangerous nerve gas waste at its Chambers Works North Carolina, plant in New Jersey. South Carolina, D The USW has opposed the plan to treat the VX nerve agent since 2005 and most Tennessee, and recently spoke out against it at DuPont's shareholders meeting in May 2006. the Virgin It was the second time in a year that DuPont scuttled plans to secure lucrative gov- Islands. ernment contracts. It previously dropped a bid to operate the Savannah River nuclear complex after the USW called attention to DuPont's lousy environmental and safety record during 40 years of managing the site.

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Holly Hart Appointed USW's Chief Lobbyist ashington, D.C. veteran Holly Hart has been named the USW's new legislative director. She succeeds William Klinefelter, who Wretired last year after holding the position for 10 years. Hart, who has served in the USW Washington office since 1991, is the first woman to act as the USW's chief lobbyist. She became a legislative representative in 2000, and assistant director last March. Her legislative priorities have included stopping bi-lateral U.S. trade agreements that lack enforceable labor and environmental standards. She

also helped to develop the USW's legislative intern program, which has Photo by Bill Burke/Page One Photography trained nearly 200 members. Hart began her USW career in 1973 as an administrative assistant in Reading, Pa., later moving to Harrisburg to work for the USW Pennsylvania legislative committee, which represented 100,000 workers statewide.

USW Participates in Lung Cancer Study Calling a Scab a Scab Wins Compensation ung cancer can be detected at its very earliest stage in 85 per- ational Fuel Services (NFS) in Erwin, Tenn., has cent of patients using annual low-dose CT screening, and, agreed to compensate a salaried employee dis- Lwhen followed by prompt surgical removal, the 10-year sur- Ncharged last year for referring to a replacement vival rate is 92 percent. worker who crossed a USW picket line during a strike as a Those study conclusions are the fruit of an international collabo- scab. ration, the International Early Lung Cancer Action Project, among The USW helped Kim Gordon file a charge for wrongful 38 institutions in seven countries including the United Steelworkers. termination against NFS with the National Labor Relations The USW study involved scanning 6,220 U.S. Department of Board after she was fired. Her termination letter cited a lack Energy Workers at DOE gaseous diffusion plants in Oak Ridge, of respect for newly-hired strikebreakers. Tenn., Portsmouth, Ohio, and Paducah, Ky. Some 375 members of USW Local 9697 struck on May Mike Wright, USW director of health, safety and environment, 15, 2006, over unfair bargaining and remained on strike said the union will work to incorporate low-dose CT screening into until October when they made an unconditional offer to OSHA standards and corporate medical programs. return to work. "The best way to stop cancer is through prevention by eliminat- NFS insisted the settlement agreement with Gordon con- ing the hazardous exposures which cause it,'' Wright said. "But this tain no admission of guilt. Gordon received a reference, study is good news for millions of workers at risk from past fully-paid family insurance until June 2007 and full back exposures." pay plus damages. USW Local in Aruba Reaches Agreement alero Energy Corp., the largest U.S. refiner of petroleum products, Vreached agreement on a five-year labor contract with USW-represented work-

ers at its plant in San Nicholas, Aruba. Photo by Gerald Dickey The December settlement included a substantial pay increase and ended a six-day strike by USW Local 1961, which represents 328 of the refinery's workers. The contract raised pay for the Aruba workers to about half the level of Valero refinery employees in the United States, said Francis Croes, a spokesman for the local. "We wanted a piece of the energy industry's record profits, and we got our fair share,'' Croes said. The local union, formerly the Independent Oil Workers Union of Aruba, affiliated with the USW last year. It has represented workers at the refinery since 1961.

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Steelworkers Slammed Duties Removed on Unfairly Traded Sheet Steel Used in Autos, Appliances teelworkers may pay with their Works near Pittsburgh. "We need to they had been forced to pay additional jobs for an International Trade honor that sacrifice by demanding our costs since 2004 because of higher steel S Commission (ITC) ruling that trade laws be enforced." prices. revokes tariffs on corrosion-resistant USW President Leo W. Gerard, and U.S. steelmakers argued the higher sheet steel used by auto and appliance Vice President Tom Conway, who both prices more accurately reflected the cost makers. testified in favor of the tariffs, said the of raw materials and production, plus The ITC voted 4 to 2 in December to vote turns back the clock on America's they needed to maintain the tariffs to remove the duties on steel from four steelworkers and once more puts us at prevent the kind of dumping of low- countries — Australia, Canada, France the mercy of foreign producers who priced and subsidized imports that had and Japan. Steel from Germany and have routinely taken advantage of the nearly destroyed them in the 1990s. Korea will remain subject to the tariffs, open market in the United States. From 1997 to 2004, an estimated 45 the ITC ruled. "We appreciate the important orders steel manufacturers, about 40 percent of The decision was a blow to both kept in place, but wiping out the rest of those operating in the United States, workers and domestic steel producers, these orders will force us to compete filed for bankruptcy court protection, who at year's end were troubled by soft- with dumped and subsidized imports and partly because of the influx of lower prices, excess inventory and continu- puts the industry's ability to continue priced foreign steel. ing record levels of imports. investing in the future very much at Along the way, more than 85,000 The tariffs were put in place 13 years risk," Gerard said. jobs were lost in steel regions including ago after waves of unfairly traded Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, imports contributed to plant closings, Steel auto showdown Illinois and West Virginia. bankruptcies and lost jobs and benefits The case was essentially a showdown Separately, the domestic industry and for thousands of American steelworkers. between U.S. steelmakers and the auto the USW are pressing the Bush adminis- "We made a lot of sacrifices to keep industry, which argued that the steel tration and Congress to stop subsidized this industry alive in the face of unfair industry no longer needed protection. steel imports from China. trade — workers lost their jobs, their DaimlerChrysler AG, Ford Motor Co., Government subsidies have fueled a retirement security, and their health General Motors Corp., Honda Motor doubling of Chinese steel production care,'' said Pete Janicki, president of Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota over the last three years to more than USW Local 2227, which represents pro- Motor Corp. had joined together on a 400 million tons in 2006. duction workers at U.S. Steel's Irvin trade case for the first time, arguing that Trade Commission Finds Imports Harm U.S. Paper Industry China, Indonesia, South Korea Causing Injury mports of coated freesheet paper are laid off to find new jobs in the area,'' Department will establish that foreign from Indonesia, China and South Caldwell said. producers are dumping and foreign gov- IKorea are harming American jobs After the company idles the No. 7 ernments are subsidizing expanded and the domestic paper industry, accord- machine, which was installed in 1904 paper-making capacity. ing to a preliminary finding by the U.S. and modernized several times, two paper "The Commerce Department took an International Trade Commission (ITC). machines capable of producing 550,000 important first step in initiating a coun- The growing influx of low-priced tons of coated paper annually will tervailing duty case to examine Chinese freesheet products from Asia have hurt remain in operation. subsidies," Gerard said. "We believe our domestic operations like NewPage Luke Paper's previous owner, government must enforce the anti-sub- Corp.'s paper mill in Luke, Md., which Westvaco Corp., merged with Mead sidy laws with all countries. Exempting is shutting down its No. 7 paper machine Corp. in 2002. Several hundred job cuts China from the application of U.S. coun- at the end of March. An estimated 130 followed the merger. A year ago last tervailing duties would make a mockery USW-represented jobs will be lost. January, MeadWestvaco sold its paper- of our trade laws." Tom Caldwell, a sheeter operator and making business to a private investment Coated freesheet paper is used in president of USW Local 676 at Luke firm in New York. The new company many high-end commercial printing Paper, told the ITC at a recent hearing began operating as NewPage last May. applications. End uses include annual that the 130 jobs are being eliminated USW President Leo W. Gerard called reports, coffee table books, magazines because of unfairly traded imports. the ITC finding an "important first step" and brochures. The USW represents about 1,100 in safeguarding American jobs from The USW represents more than employees at Luke, the largest employer unfair foreign competition. 275,000 workers in the paper and in Allegany County, Md. "It's going to Gerard said he expects the next inves- forestry products’ industries. be very difficult for our members who tigative phase by the U.S. Commerce

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CAPITOLCAPITOL LETTERS LETTERS The inside scoop on what's going down in D.C.

Christmas to all CEOs and to all a fatter teacher before money is spent on a politi- checking account. cal cause. This dispute could affect political activity by unions everywhere. The The check is in the mail. . . Colorado Supreme Court backed the Well, maybe your tax rebate check was teacher's union, but what's the chance in the mail. But now Bush claims he can Bush's stacked Supreme Court will? open your mail — without a warrant — if More tax breaks for the rich he thinks there are tough circumstances Decider or flip-flopper? In those dark days after Christmas, — like maybe he wants that check back Despite being "the Decider" and a when all those bills for gifts started to help pay off the monumental national cowboy-hat-wearing Texan, President rolling in, the Congressional Budget debt he created by cutting the taxes of Bush has demonstrated some difficulty Office (CBO) offered this bit of good millionaires. Bush awarded himself the lately sticking to his guns. You might news for the rich: Bush's tax cuts have power to open mail without a warrant just even say he flip-flopped, a trait he made it easier for them to stockpile their by saying he could do it in a statement he described as a fatal flaw in his wealth. The nonpartisan CBO reported attached to a new piece of postal legisla- Democratic Presidential opponent, John that federal tax rates declined most tion in December. Federal law requires Kerry. First there was that whole "stay sharply for families earning more than $1 government agents to persuade a judge to the course" reversal, and now he's million. In contrast, the CBO found that issue a warrant to allow them to open rescinded his contention that he didn't tax rates for middle-income people edged first-class letters. Agents could always need judicial approval for domestic sur- up in 2004. If that doesn't make you feel bypass this requirement if they believed a veillance. all warm and fuzzy, a report by the direc- ticking package contained a bomb. In Americans heard Bush assert for tor of the Center for Labor Market less-tense cases, agents must explain their three years that the county needed to Studies at Northeastern University might. concerns to a judge, who considers citi- "stay the course" in Iraq. His administra- Director Andrew Sum noted that five zens' rights to privacy and free speech tion said those seeking troop withdrawal Wall Street firms planned to distribute when mulling whether to grant the wanted to cut and run when "stay the $36 to $44 billion (yes, with a "b") in request. Bush claims he doesn't have to course" was essential. There was the holiday bonuses. The nation's 93 million bother with that judge-smudge stuff. Mail Aug. 30, 2006 speech Bush made to the working stiffs saw no such year-end tip. still will be delivered through rain or hail, Utah Air National Guard when he said, In fact, over the past six years, their com- sleet or dark of night, but Bush may rip it "We will stay the course. We will help bined real annual earnings rose a total of open first. this young Iraqi democracy succeed." A $15.4 billion. So over six years, 93 mil- year earlier, on Aug. 4, during a speech at lion working Americans shared less than Checks that shouldn't be mailed his Texas ranch, Bush said, "We will stay half of what 173,000 Wall Streeters A small number of Colorado teachers the course. We will complete the job in received as bonuses this year alone. Not are demanding that the state's teachers Iraq." A year before that, during a press counting their whopping tax cuts. union put checks in the mail constantly. conference at the White House on April And they've taken their case all the way 13, he said, "And, yet, we must stay the SEC fattens fat cats to the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard course because the end result is in our 'Twas the Friday before Christmas, arguments in January. In Colorado, teach- nation's interest." And four months before when all through the House, not a crea- ers don't have to join the union, but they that, on Dec. 15, 2003, during another ture was stirring, not even a corporate must pay a fee to cover the value of bar- White House press conference, Bush lobby-louse. Executives hung golf bags gaining the union dues for them. The said, "We will stay the course until the on chimneys with care; in hopes the non-union teachers are permitted to for- job is done." Then, suddenly, in an inter- Securities and Exchange Commission bid that any part of their fees be used for view in October 2006, he said, "Well, would soon give them a share. When political activity by the union. So twice a hey, listen, we've never been stay the what to their wondering eyes should year, the union mails the non-union course." appear, but a miniature SEC press release teachers letters asking if they want that Then, in January, Bush announced without notice or public vote. The SEC portion of their money back. That's not that he'd no longer listen to American's gift was a change to its rule for reporting good enough for the non-union teachers, telephone calls without a judge's permis- executive pay. Top dogs would not be who account for only four percent of the sion. He'd insisted that as the President required to report the total value of stock state's 80,000 instructors. The non-union he didn't need judicial review. But after option grants in one year. Instead, they teachers, supported by the state of being sued by civil rights groups and could spread the value over several years' Colorado and the Bush administration, after Democrats took control of reports, a scheme that will make the want the union to be forced to specifical- Congress, he copped a plea. windfalls appear smaller. Happy ly seek permission from each non-union

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Don Captain re-manufactures a motor at Harley’s Capitol Drive plant.

Have You Moved? Notify your local union financial secretary, or clip out this form with your old address label and send your new address to: USW@Work USW Membership Department, 3340 Perimeter Hill Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 Name New Address City State Zip