LOCAL 1010 STEELWORKER 3rd Qtr. 2007 East Chicago, Indiana Volume 18; No. 3 Long History for 25 Year Picnic Story on Page 9

Photos by: Joe Gutierrez, Jim Spasoff and Seretha Woods Page 2 3rd Qtr. 2007

UNION SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT

Safety Committee Take immediate corrective 398-3100 x120 or 121 actions when possible. The [email protected] health and well being of the Ivan Agosto - Chairman next person may depend on 397-6934 Cell: 712-5631 you actions or inaction. Nick Valle - Vice Chairman Improper or lack of lockouts (708) 891-2272 and verification continue to Cell: 808-5377 cause accidents and serious John Gelon - Secretary near misses. Remember, you 690-1523 shall always lockout and Cell: 406-4190 verify anytime you can be in- Don Jones - Safety Coordinator jured by the unexpected start 838-4210 up or energizing of equipment From left: John Gelon, Nick Valle, Don Jones, Ivan Agosto Cell: 712-5610 or machinery. Remember, In the last addition of the Steelworker, brakes on mobile equipment are not just slapping a safety lock on some- we had an article that addressed Un- working, Red Tag the equipment and thing (Electrical switch, Valve, safe Condition Reports (U.C.R.). turn in the U.C.R. Also, remember to Lock box, etc.) does not mean you These reports represent an important document this condition on your mo- have locked out properly! Lockout part of improving safety in the work- bile equipment inspection checklist. verification is the OSHA standard and place. We have the responsibility to that is also what you need to do to get any unsafe conditions documented prevent yourself from being involved so they can be corrected. in a serious accident. It is everyone’s In that article, we stressed the impor- responsibility on each job to lockout tance of documentation and having a and verify every aspect of the lock- company representative (salaried) sign out. Are the switches locked out in the U.C.R. to acknowledge they re- the off position? Did you verify that ceived it. Keep a copy of the signed the switch is isolating the power? We report for future references. We need have had several electrical switches to ensure that follows-ups need to be fail. Just because these switches made so that the unsafe condition gets were put into the off position does fixed. However, we failed to mention not guarantee the switch is work- the importance of taking immediate ing properly and has actually de- corrective actions. If the unsafe con- energized the equipment! This dition is something you can immedi- needs to be verified! Are all valves ately remedy, take the time and cor- closed and seating properly? Have rect the situation yourself. If you see a you verified that there is not any bleed bad spot in the floor grating or hand through? Are all blocks and pins in railing missing, don’t just walk away place where called for? These are just and write up a report. Be pro-active some examples of different verification and at least flag off the area. If an elec- Your actions may prevent an injury or methods that must take place by ev- trical switch is not working properly a fatality. Simply documenting the situ- eryone that enters the point of opera- and immediate repairs cannot be made, ation is not enough. Don’t leave traps tion. Do not assume that someone it’s the responsibility of the person that for the next person. The next person else verified and that it was done may not notice the condition, thereby discovered the situation to Red Tag the correctly. You must verify to en- causing an unfortunate incident. switch and turn in an U.C.R. If the sure that the energy source has Steelworker Page 3 been isolated. Your life depends on on any job to prevent an injury. * How many lock out every time re- your verification. Always lockout The most important part of any safety quired? 505 of 1003 or 50.3% and verify. program are the people that are in it. * When locking out, how many verify? Vehicle collisions with heavy mobile Always “MAKE SAFE 282 of 505 or 55.8% equipment and trains remain a concern. OR DON’T DO IT.” * That means 282 of 1003 are lock- These are very large pieces of equip- The latest accident numbers reveal that ing out and verifying everytime. This ment that may have several blind spots June of this year we had 55 accidents, represents only 28.1% of the time we and can cause extensive damage and 31 were OSHA recordable (needed are we doing what is necessary to en- severe injuries. Traveling in the mill can medical treatment) and 10 of these sure a proper lockout. be a dangerous undertaking if every- accidents were lost workday cases. one is not paying attention to the task * Receive proper monthly safety meet- Compare that to last year when we had ings? 1194 of 1411 or 84.6% at hand (driving). Be very cautious at 42 accidents; 33 OSHA recordables rail crossings; stop, look and listen. If and 16 lost workday cases. We have * Receive regular toolbox safety meet- you drive over the tracks when a train had 254 accidents so far this year com- ings? 669 of 1271 or 52.6% is coming, the operator may be unable pared to 291 last year during the same * On a monthly basis view an MTS to stop the train in time to avoid a col- time frame. video? 1128 of 1413 lision. It would be a losing battle if or 79.8% you were to collide with a train or large The following are the latest survey re- * Know how to report an unsafe con- piece of mobile equipment. sults from the Safety Awareness train- ing have been compiled through June dition in writing? 1204 of 1416 or We must continue to stress to all op- 29th. 85%. erators of heavy equipment the impor- tance of understanding the dangers they may present to themselves and to smaller vehicles and their drivers. Inspect the equipment to make sure it’s safe to operate. If the mobile equipment is unsafe to operate, Red Tag the equipment and park it. The dangers of taking a chance by operat- ing defective equipment are too severe. We again ask that all operators and drivers of personal vehicles follow posted speed limits and watch out for all other vehicles (personal and com- pany owned). We have been very fortunate that a fatality has not occurred due to a ve- hicle collision in the mill with a large piece of mobile equipment or a train. But we do continue to have too many of these collisions, it will just be a mat- ter of time if we don’t start taking more precautions. Don’t assume anything on the job, check and verify everything. You are the first and last line of defense Page 4 3rd Qtr. 2007 Steelworker Page 5

Financial Report

ture” is something like past There is a common interest in the environ- things, started but will also pass ment and taking responsible steps to bet- Rosa Maria Rodriguez or do not want to accept change ter control what is going on in our world Financial Secretary because that is how it has always and creating opportunities and jobs to been done and the favorite of old make a better world. This has been some- timers, “I’ve been doing it for 30 thing that has been ignored long enough, years this way.” Well, this safety and now it is bitting us in the ass so many culture is not going away. Not if ways. There is talk of universal . Wow! It’s hard to believe, but it has been the union has any say so, and we do. Our Imagine, by taking this off the bargaining over a year since I began working as the President, Tom Hargrove, along with other table during negotiations we can speak of Financial Secretary at Local 1010. In re- officers and members, is visiting all the other important issues that affect us in our gards to finance, we are quite healthy. Con- departments, doing walk arounds and view- workplace. They each believed in bringing gratulations to Dustin Barlow Palmer, the ing for themselves unsafe conditions. We our military men and women home now. winner of this year’s ACT scholarship. He have entered into a different way of doing This was so important to me, as my young- is the son of Thomas Palmer from Mobile things, and all for the best. Think about it. est son is due to go to Iraq in mid-August Equipment. Please be advised, we will be- How many times have you done something and the daily fear of him going is hard. My gin accepting applications for 2008 begin- unsafe and gotten away with no one get- question is how are they going to get Cor- ning in September. The selection for the ting hurt? How many times have you done porate America to except doing business winner is determined by ACT and they in the job unsafe and hurt yourself or some- in the United States and embrace the turn contact this office, so please get those one else? How many have the scars, Unions’ involvement? Though they all applications in early. Recently we received wounds, and pain of unsafe practices? spoke on the same issues, all-important and your United Steelworkers membership Was there something that could have been mindful to each of us, what was more im- cards. You can come down to the Union done to prevent an accident? My interpre- portant was the conversation afterwards Hall during working hours and pick it up at tation of this whole culture awareness is to amongst the members. We argued, agreed, the Financial Office. Please call ahead so prevent causalities rather than the old phi- disagreed and teased each other of our fa- your card will be ready for you (398-3100 losophy, “Nothing gets done until some- vorites but we voices our opinions. We x101). one gets hurt or dies!” Be part of the solu- walked away with tools to see whom we I want to share with you what I have seen tion and get more involved in safety. would support. Now the work has begun happening, not as an officer but as a mem- One of the most important parts of my life to see who is the most qualified and who ber of Local 1010. I felt it important since I is volunteering. I have dedicated myself will represent us when they reach the White was one of the individuals who felt that to youth and community for about thirty House. our Union wasn’t doing enough for its years. I have seen unsung heroes and Yes, a lot has gone on in the last year and I members. I have seen for myself the in- many deeds gone unnoticed. It is not about know there is more to come. I wish more volvement and the dedication that goes on. just giving to a cause but the in- people would get involved to make a dif- And it isn’t an election year! volvement and caring to make a difference ference and be part of the change, whether and bring about change. And that is what Safety has come to the forefront. There it be safety, volunteering, or politically. It many of our brothers and sister do. From have been ongoing sessions and more in- all is part of who we are, Union brothers collecting money for Christmas gifts and volvement and commitment from both man- and sisters. agement and our members. There are still taking up a donation for a fallen member to stagnating elements that seem to keep the spending their own time off to work with In Solidarity, your sister, those less fortunate. There is so much that culture from completely being used or be- Rosa Maria Rodriguez lieved. One is a management supervisor. is being done that if I begin listing them, Hopefully, with the current training man- we could fill this whole newspaper up. It is agement is receiving, they will understand these precious moments of being involved the importance of the fact that Safety is a that make one proud to be a Union member. priority and not just lame talk. We have Recently we traveled to Ohio to hear Demo- been assured by management and the crat presidential candidates speak. The UNION Union of the development of a different speeches were what I expected, each told concept; MAKE THE JOB SAFE, OR us what we wanted to hear. What did pique DON’T DO IT! This philosophy has been my interest is that their platforms, though in existence for a long time. I believe a general, spoke of issues that pertain to the supervisor was fired over this issue. The working families. They spoke of renewing other stagnant element is us. Many of us American manufacturing jobs and we, the are under the impression that the “new cul- Union, are playing an integral part in it. YES! Page 6 3rd Qtr. 2007

State of the Department bid for a job and either accept the bid employee to go up on a crane. When by Mike Bouvat or turn it down, you will not be able to they lifted the load it went up slightly bid again for one year. and bumped a door, cracking a window. Griever, Area #5 Art. 5, section E (10,G&H), page The employee was sent to the clinic for 39 in the contract book, states: a fitness to work test. These incidents G In the event an employee accepts are nothing more than harassment from transfer under Paragraph 10 and re- the company and send a wrong mes- mains on the new job for more than sage to workers. It appears to be a Happy 4th of July to all of my union thirty (30) days, s/he may not again way to place employees in some type Brothers and Sisters at #2 Steel Pro- apply for transfer for one (1) year af- of witch hunt. HEY, why not send ducing Shop, I trust everyone had a safe ter such transfer. the supervisor who used poor judg- holiday. Independence Day is a time ment? to celebrate and remember. Just as our H In the event an employee refuses a forefathers had to pay a great price for transfer under Paragraph 10 after ap- I have talked with management and if freedom, we also as working men and plying therefore, or voluntarily returns anyone is told they need to go to the women have had to pay a great price to the unit from which s/he transferred clinic for a fitness to work test, man- for our labor rights. During the Ameri- s/he may not again apply for transfer agement has agreed that the person can can Revolution, people had to chose. to such unit for one (1) year after such speak to a Union official before they Stand up and fight and be recognized event. are sent to the clinic. It is important as a Patriot, which took courage, or We continue to see workers in our de- that you request a Union represen- surrender their dignity to those who tative. Tell the Union rep. all the cir- wanted to oppress their rights by glad- partment sent to the clinic for no ap- cumstances surrounding what hap- handing and fraternizing, rolling over to parent reason at all. In one such inci- become Bootlickers. We as Union dent when a worker was sent to the pened to you. Let’s continue to work workers are still in a fight for our rights. clinic, it was because they were fol- SAFE. Are you a Patriot or a Bootlicker? lowing instructions from their immedi- Yours in Solidarity, Mike Bouvat Many of you have complained about not ate supervisor. The supervisor told the receiving your Reds (Pants&Jackets) from our present vendor. The lockers that store our Reds are hard to identify. Legal Problems? The lighting is bad, some lockers are too close to the floor, many clothes are Need a Lawyer? not returned, and you can barely walk inside the tight spaces of the room it- Local 1010 members can take advantage of a free legal self. We have had discussions with consultation every Wednesday at the Union Hall from: management to address all of these is- sues. They said they are investigating 8:30 am - 9:30 am* a new vendor to remedy all of these and items. A video camera will be installed 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm* in the hallway where we place our dirty Provided by the Law Offices of Reds in the bins for monitoring pur- poses. Bosch & Banasiak Departmental and plant wide bids are being posted for vacant jobs. It is im- 7150 Indianapolis Blvd., Hammond, IN 46323 portant to keep a copy of your bid or call 219-844-3020 when you sign up for a bid. Make *Times are approximate sure you know your rights. If you Steelworker Page 7

Training Committee Report DC Crane class started April 9, by Luis Aguilar, Dorine Godinez & Steve Wagner 2007. This course is a three -day class. The second session was held April 30, 2007. Equipment Training has had over 100 people trained in cranes and over 176 trained on forklift. We are currently looking for Rough Terrain Crane Maintenance The Training Committee members Eighty four workers completed a Instructors. have received a number of calls. course entitled “Understanding Welding classes are running Some of the most frequently Electrical Hazards”. weekly. Several workers have asked questions and answers are Over 400 workers have completed passed the 6-G test and the 7-piece listed below. Arc Flash Classes. tests. The weldor instructors also provide CO2, TIG and Tack Train- Can the company make me do a Brake training classes are avail- ing. job I am not trained to do? The able. We have designed brake spe- company is required to train em- cific classes for several areas in 7BF is providing PLC training for ployees on both the safe way to the plant. MTE’s within their department. perform jobs and how to perform the duties of the jobs. Notice What training is available? If you are planning to retire within the next year and would What other training plans are there? What classes are there like to attend a Fidelity Workshop, fill in the form below and for MTM’s? What classes are drop it off at the Union Hall or mail it to: available for MTE’s? Listed be- Tom Hargrove low is a brief training history as USW Local 1010 well as short-term future plans. 3703 Euclid Ave. More than 690 workers have com- East Chicago, IN pleted Operator Maintenance As- 46312 sist training. More than 40 MTM’s have at- tended Hydraulics training. Hy- Fidelity Workshop draulics is a forty hour class. We Name ...... plan to have two Hydraulic classes per month. Soon we will have two Address ...... Hydraulic Units for hands-on Phone ...... Troubleshooting Analysis in the classrooms. Department ...... Laser Alignment Classes are now Years of Service ...... available. Page 8 3rd Qtr. 2007 2nd Quarter Retirees

ABELL, JERRY - 30 - INT LOG - TRUCK HARNESS, JEFFERY D - 36 - FINISHING - PERRYMAN, WILLIAM R - 35 - #2 STEEL DRIVER #3 CSE PRODUCING AULT, DAVID - 36 - #4 STEEL PRODUC- HUYNH, DUNG C - 31 - COATED/CON- PETTIGREW, EUNITA D - 30 - MATERIAL ING TINUOUS - #3CSE OPERATIONS BAEZ, RICHARD - 31 - #2 STEEL PRO- JOHNSON, ROBERT C - 32 - CLEANING PRZYBORSKI, IRVIN J - 30 - INT LOG - DUCING SERVICES TRUCK DRIVER BALZER, CHRISTOPHE G – 31 - PLANT KOCZUR, LAWRENCE J - 43 - MEU RAE, ROBERT M - 35 - 80 INCH HOT 4 MAINTENANCE SHOPS-MACHINE SHOP STRIP MILL BENETICH, GLENN W - 33 - INT LOGS/ KOHANYI, DAVID M - 39 - MEU FIELD REEDER, CHARLES A - 38 - PLANT 4 ESM-TRUCKING MECH FORCES-FIELD PIPE MAINTENANCE CAMALICK, CHRISTOPHE A - 30 - MEU KORBAR, JOHN W - 31 - GALVANIZING RIVERA, GEORGE - 30 - MEU FIELD UTILITIES-POWER LEAL, MARIA D - 27 - #4 STEEL PRO- FORCES-FIELD SVCS CARDENAS, JOSE - 40 - MEU FIELD DUCING ROLDAN, JOSE A - 37 - MEU FIELD FORCES-OPERATIONS LEMUS, ISAEL L - 30 - INT LOG/EMM- FORCES-FIELD SVCS CAREY JR, TOM - 34 - #4 STEEL PRO- MOBL EQUIP/TRUCK ROSALES, JEANNE C - 35 - 12 INCH BAR DUCING LOPEZ, JUAN A - 37 - INT LOG - RAIL MILL CARTER, WILLIE M - 43 - INTERMEDI- CAR REPAIR ROSS, LESLEE K - 30 - INT LOGS/ESM- ATE - #3 CSE MARKANICH, JOSEPH E - 35 - 12 INCH TRUCKING MECH CLARK, DAVID T - 30 - 80 INCH HOT BAR MILL RYGIEL, RAYMOND J - 30 - INT LOG - STRIP MILL MARRS, GLENN D - 33 - MEU SHOPS- TRUCK DRIVER COLON JR, ANGEL M - 31 - #2 STEEL MACHINE SHOP SCOTT, DEAN - 28 - INDIANA HARBOR PRODUCING MARSHALL JR, WILLIAM - 38 - #2 COKE COMPANY COTTRELL, WILLIAM R - 30 - 80 INCH STEEL PRODUCING HOT STRIP MILL SHAWVER, JAMES D - 27 - IH7 BLAST MARTINEZ, IGNACIO Z - 37 - 80 INCH FURNACE DIXON, JAMES V - 38 - 80 INCH HOT HOT STRIP MILL STRIP MILL SMITH, DENNIS A - 35 - INTERMEDIATE MAYER, JIMMY A - 35 - 12 INCH BAR - #3 CSW DJURICH, NIKOLA V - 37 - 80 INCH HOT MILL STRIP MILL STEIN, HECTOR - 30 - MATERIAL OP- MCCOLLUM, EDWARD R - 33 - 1 ELEC ERATIONS DRAYTON JR, ZEKE - 42 - COATED/ FURNACE & BILLET CASTER CONTINUOUS - #3 CSW STEPHENS, BONNIE L - 33 - IH5&IH6 MEDINA, ANTONIO - 33 - MEU FIELD BLAST FCE/3 SINTER PLT DRENNER, JERROLD E - 30 - 2A/21 INCH FORCES-FIELD SVCS STICKLEY, ROBERT E - 33 - MEU FIELD MILL IHBP MENDEZ JR, ANTONIO - 31 - NO. 2 COLD FORCES-OPERATIONS ESPINOSA, PASCUAL A - 31 - 12 INCH STRIP SUMMERS JR, DANIEL L - 31 - INT LOG BAR MILL MILLER, KIRK D - 30 - IH5&IH6 BLAST - YARD ESTANOVICH, FRANK A - 31 - #4 STEEL FCE/3 SINTER PLT SWISSHELM JR, WILLIAM H - 26 - INT PRODUCING MISECKO, PHILIP J - 33 - INT LOG/EMM- LOG/EMM-MOBL EQUIP/TRUCK FLOWERS, MICHAEL O - 23 - IH7 BLAST MOBL EQUIP/TRUCK FURNACE NIEWINSKI, KEN W - 20 - IH5&IH6 TRAVIS, DANA T - 33 - MEU FIELD GALESKI, DAVID J - 30 - MEU SHOPS- BLAST FCE/3 SINTER PLT FORCES-FIELD SVCS MACHINE SHOP NOEL, JOHN R - 30 - INT LOG/EMM- URIBE, JOSE L - 30 - 80 INCH HOT STRIP GALICH, JOKA - 23 - FINISHING - #3CSW MOBL EQUIP/TRUCK MILL GARZA, OLGA - 27 - 80 INCH HOT STRIP OSTER, RAYMOND W - 41 - INTERME- UROSEVIC, SENKA - 30 - MEU SHOPS- MILL DIATE - #3 CSE MACHINE SHOP GREENE, GEORGE B - 32 - MEU FIELD OUTLER, MIKE R - 30 - MATERIAL OP- WALTON, PATRICIA - 30 - MATERIAL FORCES-OPERATIONS ERATIONS OPERATIONS HALKIAS, CONSTANTINE - 38 - FINAN- PACKHAM, ROBERT C - 35 - MEU FIELD WINTCZAK, RONALD R - 30 - 12 INCH CIAL ACCTG & SVCS (PLANT) FORCES-FIELD SVCS BAR MILL Local 1010 would like to wish our newest, and all previous, retirees a long, happy and healthy retirement. Steelworker Page 9

Sixty-Nine Year Tradition Continues by Tom Hargrove

The 25 year club picnic has a long his- Local 1010 had already secured a date cepted the arbitrator’s finding. tory at Inland/Ispat-Inland/Mittal Steel to hold the picnic, whether we won the The practice of including Inland Steel co. Since 1939, the company has held arbitration or not. The company ac- Co. retirees in the annual 25 Year Club the picnic for employ- Picnic will be contin- ees and retirees with ued. at least 25 years of This year’s picnic is service. August 25, at Lake It has always been a County Fairgrounds. very important event If you don’t receive to many people. It is an invitation, don’t an opportunity for club worry. There will be members to get to- a book with all the gether and renew old names at the entrance acquaintances, espe- gate, so come on cially with retirees, down. whom they may see I’ll be cooking on the only that one day each grill, as usual. year. The picnic was I hope to see you all portrayed to new em- there. ployees as something to strive toward. Young employees looked forward to the time they would become eligible to at- tend. Many retirees plan their vaca- tions around the picnic. In the early years, it was a men-only event. Women with 25 years of ser- vice were invited to a luncheon. Women were finally invited to the pic- nic in the late 80’s and the luncheon was discontinued in the early 90’s. The Local 1010 Scramble In 2001 the company notified the Union that it would not be holding the picnic Turkey Creek Golf Course that year, due to the economic condi- Merrillville, IN tions affecting the domestic steel indus- try. Never before had the picnic been Sept. 22, 2007 canceled because of economic hard 8:00 am Shotgun Start times, which the industry had gone $45 per Member through many times previously. Fees Cover Cart, Food, Drink and Prizes Local 1010 considered the picnic a lo- cal working condition and filed a griev- Contact: Matt Beckman 398-3100 x138 or ance. An arbitrator agreed, and ordered Rick Campos 789-1318 the company to reinstate the picnic. Page 10 3rd Qtr. 2007

Enough Is Enough! It’s Time To Pick A Fight by Matt Beckman, Grievance Committee Secretary

Throughout the contractors to do the work these people it is the grievance procedure that resolves mill, Mittal manage- used to do. As an example, there have issues. Since that is his stance we are ment is thumbing been contractors at #2 BOF working on more than willing to walk that road. its nose at us, the members of Local a steel ladle since April. It’s the end of 1010. Nowhere is it more evident then July, and they are still working on In Field Forces, management is mixing in the Central Shops and Field Forces. the same damned ladle! Now Heaney the Electrical and Mechanical crafts even Lead by Mike Heaney, these boys are at- has covered his ass with his boss by though they claimed in negotiations tempting to dismantle the entire shops and saying that BOF management screwed they were, and always will be, sepa- field force departments. I do not make this up. But nothing could be further rate. This is also working its way this claim lightly. In the central shops from the truth. The craftsmen who through he grievance procedure. Man- Heaney and Jim Stahl have displaced al- could have, and should have, done agement has also stated that Field most all of the non-craft workers and this work are cutting slabs and scrap- Forces is going to be out of the out- assigned their duties to the remaining ping old bolts at Rail Car! The snake- age business! What the hell that means craftsmen. All of these instances have oil salesman Heaney has convinced his has not been clarified. But I can almost been grieved and are working their bosses that even though he has misused way through the grievance procedure. qualified people, it is someone else’s guarantee it means more contractors. Heaney and Stahl have also assigned fault. Even though the company does Based on this short history of dealing craftsmen, on an ongoing and continu- have the right to assign, this is a com- with Heaney, his intentions are obvious. ous basis, to perform non-craft work in plete misuse of the craftsmen in the He is going to do what he wants, damn the Internal Logistics LOP. This by it- plant. This new contract was supposed the Union. self is repugnant enough but while they to be designed so that the company and have these craftsmen do this he has told Union sit down and discussed these Bring it on Mike! It’s time to pick a departments like #2 BOF to bring in types of situations. In Heaney’s world, fight.

Continued from page 11 Wagner year to Local 1010 members. This opportunities your Union negoti- combination of limits is available to in- ated for you! have for each class. Those classes are dividuals who have clear career goals Any questions regarding JobLink can available to active members from to develop vocational expertise and be directed to the JobLink Staff (219) each of the sites involved. Due to may be approved in accordance with Institute for Career Development’s 399-8136. Anyone else who needs scheduling, some classes are not put in additional information can call me at our course catalogue. Please contact guidelines. JobLink or check JobLink’s website If you have a computer at home, the union hall (219) 398-3100 or E- for more information! check out the JobLink Website at mail me at [email protected]. Don’t forget that active 1010 members http://bkJobLink.org/. You will find If you call when I am not available, next semester’s course lineup with now can combine the Tuition Assis- please leave a message on my voice course descriptions and other perti- tance $1800 annual limit with the Cus- mail (ext. 113) and I will get back to tomize Class $2000 annual limit to pro- nent information. you as soon as possible. vide a more flexible total amount of Attention new hires…stop by educational assistance - $3800 per JobLink and see what educational

Education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern but impossible to enslave. Henry Peter (1778–1868), Scottish Politician Steelworker Page 11

LOCAL 1010 The Bernard Kleiman STEELWORKER JobLink Learning Center Executive Board by Steve Wagner, Vice President Tom Hargrove, President Steve Wagner, Vice President Fidel Azcona, Recording Secretary Rosa Maria Rodriguez, Financial Secretary Joe Piller, Treasurer Are you using your negotiated Ca- All JobLink classes must be in accor- Jesse Cannon, Guide reer Development Program benefits? dance with the Career Development Jim Gogolak, Inner Guard Many of us are preparing for the new Program Guidelines. Luis Aguilar, Outer Guard challenges that await us on the job. Local 1010 members can use their Ivan Agosto, Trustee Yet others are preparing for life af- Tuition Assistance Program (T.A.P.) Dorine Godinez, Trustee ter we retire from our mill careers. Jerry Strauch, Trustee monies to access any accredited learn- It really doesn’t matter what your ing institution. T.A.P. benefits are a Grievance Committee reason for learning is! If you have a very flexible part of our contractually need or desire to improve your skills Dennis Shattuck, Chairman funded educational benefit. T.A.P. Darrell Reed, Vice Chairman or learn a new skill, JobLink is there funds are subject to funding limits and Matt Beckman, Secretary for YOU! are available annually on a first come While some JobLink participants are first serve basis. Participants Grievers pursuing college degrees, many oth- $1,800.00 maximum annual benefit Kermit Deel ers are taking classes to satisfy per- can be used to cover tuition, book, and Joe Piller sonal development to improve their course - related fees at nearly 100 Mike Bouvat Otis Cochran ability to perform their current jobs approved learning institutions. Classes Don Seifert or prepare for new careers and re- with the primary purpose of recreation Jesse Ramos tirement. All of these initiatives en- or personnel enjoyment are not eligible David Hunter hance a variety of skills including for tuition assistance funding. Stop by Dan Mosley math, reading, and communication JobLink to apply for tuition program Ernie Barrientez Francisco Godinez skills. Our Career Development funding or pick–up a list of T.A.P. ven- Steve Vuckovich Program helps prepare us for the dors. A list of these educational insti- Wil Rivera future challenges of our jobs, our tutions is also available on JobLink’s Tim Trtan personal & family lives, and ulti- website. mately in retirement. Joe Woessner, Editor We have developed reciprocal partici- Anyone interested in a specific class pant arrangements with the other Ca- may contact JobLink with the type reer Development Cites here in North- of class desired to begin an interested west Indiana. The availability of cus- list. Don’t take classes for granted. tomized classes at other sites is sub- www.uswa1010.org Classes may not be repeated, so ject to specific agreements that we The Local 1010 Steelworker is the official enroll in a desired class when you publication of the United Steelworkers - Local 1010, AFL-CIO. It is published to circulate information see it offered as soon as possible. Continued on page 10 of use and interest to its members. Submissions from members are welcomed and encouraged. This publication is free of charge to all active and Change of Address retired Local 1010 members. If you have moved please mail this form, with the mailing label on the back page to Editor, Mail to: USW Local 1010 Local 1010 Steelworker, 3703 Euclid Ave., East Chicago, In. 46312 Attention: Editor 3703 Euclid Avenue Name______Check No.______East Chicago, IN 46312 New address ______Phone: 219-398-3100 ext.140 email: [email protected] City/State/Zip______Page 12 3rd Qtr. 2007

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Sure, Safety Gets Old, But So Do Safe Workers!

the Sintering Plant on a conveyor belt and this is my lot in life and things will with a frozen roller. The way he was never change and hazards and risks are June marked the first anniversary of the taught and the way he has done it for just part of making steel.” This is a start of our efforts to change the safety over 30 years was to be beat on the very dangerous mindset. In 1997 culture at the Indiana Harbor Works. roller with a hammer while the con- we had a double fatality in the Electric Much has happened over the last year. veyor is running. This time his luck Furnace. This is something we We have a new plant manager, and a ran out. The frozen roller broke loose never want to happen again. Any- couple of the key players have left the and sucked up his hammer and his time you are working with liquid steel company, but progress is being made. hand. Fortunately, he was able to hit there is a great danger. We cannot I see it each week when I address the the emergency stop before he lost his become complacent. We must stay safety awareness classes and the su- hand, even though his hand was seri- on guard and make sure the pro- pervisor training classes. ously injured. I went to the hospital to cess is done safely and all jobs are People are starting to believe that see him. He was in much pain and done safely and wear our PPE. Not we really mean it when we say worried about regaining the use of one ounce of steel is worth an in- "Make the job safe or don't do it!" his hand. We talked about doing the jury. We can and we will make the Years, and sometimes decades, of job that way. He said he had lost a Electric Furnace a department we can doing a job a certain way and accept- few hammers over the years doing the say we are proud to work in and safety ing the risk is a hard mindset to change job that way but never got his hand is a core value of that department. and convincing people to shut down caught. After he recovered and went As president of Local 1010 I have no equipment that is not operating cor- back to work, I asked him how he greater responsibility or obligation than rectly and red tag it is one of my big- does the job now. He said he shuts to the safety of everyone in the plant. gest struggles. Our people at the Indi- the conveyor down, locks it out and Together we can make this not only ana Harbor Works have a strong work verifies that it is actually locked. Then the safest plant in the company but also ethic and a desire to get the job done, he frees up the roll and then starts the in the world. sometimes at the risk of their own conveyor. safety. Recently I've been spending a lot of In Solidarity, My best example of this happened last time in the Electric Furnace. There summer. A very good mechanic at 5 seems to be an attitude there that “This and 6 Blast Furnace was working in is a pigpen and that's all it will ever be

3703 Euclid Av. NONPROFIT ORG. East Chicago In. 46312 U.S. POSTAGE PAID EAST CHICAGO, IN. PERMIT NO. 228 Safety First! Make the Job Safe,

or DON’TNovember DO 2 IT!!!