John McCain: Barack Obama: • Wants to tax your health care as income and then give • Has a plan to have health care for all Americans. big insurance companies tax breaks. • Opposes unfair trade deals and has plans to create good, • Thinks the job-killing NAFTA was ‘a good idea’ and new jobs in a green economy that helps save our environ- wants even more free trade agreements that have no ment and promotes energy independence. human rights, safety or environmental standards. • Would protect your retirement and opposes privatizing • Would jeopardize your retirement by privatizing Social Social Security. Security. • Opposes giving your job to replacement workers if you • Supports giving your job to replacement workers if you strike. strike. • Has plans to improve veterans’ health care, including • Voted more than 10 times against bills that would arm reversing Bush administration cuts to the Veterans our troops, provide adequate rest for troops and improve Administration. veterans’ health care and other benefits. • Would lower taxes for 95 percent of workers and their • Has the same pro-business agenda that would give tax families. cuts to the wealthiest Americans and companies.

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 STEELWORKER STORE INSIDEUSW@WORK Election 2008 The USW is working like never before to elect Sen. Barack Obama and his Democratic running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, as Visit the Steelworker 06 the next president and vice president. SpeakingSpeaking OutOut Store to order your USW active and retired members and their families are invited to copy today! “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].

Understanding Middle-Class cians who will support us. We working income tax breaks and they support Steel Negotiations people and poor seniors need representa- The USW reaches historic, four-year labor agreements with Families alternative energies, such as wind and tion and we need it now. two of our country’s largest steel manufacturers, U.S. Steel Democratic presidential nominee Sen. solar. I am voting against the Republican Let’s help each other. Let’s elect those 08 and ArcelorMittal. Both increase wages and benefits. Barack Obama has a 98 percent ticket because I can't afford more of the who will help us. “Lifetime Right” voting record ranking same upper income tax breaks and plant Visit the USW web site by the AFL-CIO while the Republican Clyde Rush, Local 186L, retired closures. and select the candidate, Sen. John McCain, has a dis- Munford, Tenn. "Steelworker Store" button or visit Jimmy Taylor, Local 12 www.steelworkersmerchandise.com mal 16 percent record. No hype or spin Gadsden, Ala. can change those statistics. They show The Only Real Choice that McCain does not understand I am voting for Obama/Biden because ’ International Oil Bargaining It s Time to Move On More than 300 rank-and-file delegates representing 30,000 I feel they are the only real choice for Executive Board Democracy is not the America’s middle-class working families As a union worker at an automotive USW oil workers met in Pittsburgh to develop bargaining poli- and has little regard for them except as working families in America. Leo W. Gerard icing on our cake. It is our 10 cies for next year’s contract negotiations. parts supplier, I have watched our jobs International President campaign propaganda. Obama, on the The thought of having our health care move to China and Korea at an alarming taxed as income by McCain is repulsive, James D. English bread and butter … We other hand, is an activist on a mission to rate. The plant where I work used to Int’l. Secretary-Treasurer “ as is his notion of making free trade cannot survive as a trade restore the diminishing American Dream have 600 union employees. We are now Thomas M. Conway union movement except to the middle class. He recognizes that agreements with almost any country. down to under 200. Int’l. Vice President It is time to level the playing field and (Administration) unions share the same goal, and his vot- America can't afford four more years where there is democracy. to stop the rich from getting richer while Fred Redmond ing reflects that. of Bush policies carried out by John Int’l. Vice President Human rights are the very Paper Workers Fight the middle class and the poor are left to (Human Affairs) Andy Voelzke, Local 2-209 McCain. It's time this country and its Workers at the former Pope & Talbot mill in Halsey, Ore., struggle. It is time to enable any worker government started working for the peo- Ken Neumann George Meany are learning firsthand the value of contract protection Lomira, Wis. who wants a union to be able to form Nat’l. Dir. for Canada 19 language, technically known as successorship. ple again. Big business has had its Former AFL-CIO President” New Deal for America one without retaliation from rich corpo- eight-year run. It is time to move on and rations. It is time to make college afford- Carol Landry Obama reminds me of history. When help those who actually need it. Vice President at Large able. It is time to make the American Hoover was President and the economy Jon Geenen Dream available to all Americans again. John Jones, Local 634-L Int’l. Vice President FEATURES: was in the dump, Roosevelt offered a Auburn, Ind. Gary Beevers Speaking Out 03 New Deal. That New Deal built the mid- Lesly J. Hall, President, Local 713 Int’l. Vice President News Bytes 30 dle class and we prospered for many New London, Mo. Tired of Rich Getting Richer Health, Safety and Environment James H. Dunn years. Now, Bush has destroyed our I am voting for the Obama/Biden Associate Secretary-Treasurer Safety activists from around the union take home new infor- Tired of Losing Jobs mation from the USW’s 2008 Health Safety & Environment economy and the Obama/Biden ticket is ticket because I'm a Democrat. I am tired Ron Hoover I am voting for Obama/Biden because Exec. Vice President (R/PIC) 20 Conference. offering a New Deal that will once again of the rich getting richer and the poor provide opportunities for middle-class I am tired of high taxes for the working getting poorer. Lewis Peacock ON COVER people. Also as a union official, I’m Vice President (Organizing) CarolynTHE and Tony Milini greet USW activists America. Our jobs are being eliminated. Our tired of losing jobs in this economy, James K. Phillips, Jr. Jolanta Hiles and Rick Wright, who were children no longer have the same oppor- Vice President at Large among hundreds of union volunteers canvass- Randy McKay, Sub-Director, District 7 where the rich get richer and the poor ing in Ohio on behalf of political candidates Indianapolis, Ind. tunities for employment as we were Directors who support working families. Photo by Steve get poorer. afforded. David R. McCall, District 1 Support Workers’ Rights We need new blood in office who can How important is health care? I’ve Michael Bolton, District 2 bring in fresh ideas and start all over to I am voting Democratic all the way had three bouts with cancer. My bills Stephen Hunt, District 3 restore our economy to its once great because I realize that without support were astronomical and I certainly would- William J. Pienta, District 4 Communications Staff: Volume 03/No.5 Fall 2008 power, to quit sending our jobs overseas , District 5 from the government for labor and n't be here today if my union hadn't Daniel Roy Jim McKay, Editor Official publication of the United Steelworkers and to put a stop to unfair Chinese Wayne Fraser, District 6 Wayne Ranick, Director of Communications Direct Inquiries and articles for to: unions and workers' rights we'll lose fought for the benefits we have! USW@Work imports. Jim Robinson, District 7 Gary Hubbard, Director of Public Affairs, Washington, D.C. United Steelworkers jobs, wages and benefits. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly Ernest R. “Billy” Thompson, District 8 Communications Department The Republicans are destroying our Aaron Hudson and Kenny Carlisle, Designers I am voting Obama because he gets and equally when it comes to their Stan Johnson, District 9 Five Gateway Center country's greatest assets - the American Lynne Baker, Kelly Barr, Jim Coleman, Deb Davidek, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 it... He gets labor! health. John DeFazio, District 10 Gerald Dickey, Connie Mabin, Tony Montana, phone 412-562-2400 middle class. We need someone in office who can Robert Bratulich, District 11 Frank Romano, Scott Weaver, Barbara White Stack fax 412-562-2445 Jamie Sanderson, Local 7898 online: www.usw.org John Jeffers, Local 8183 understand middle-class workers and Terry L. Bonds, District 12 Georgetown, S.C. J.M. “Mickey” Breaux, District 13 Industry, Pa. help us achieve more. USW@Work (ISSN 0883-3141) is published five times a year by the United Steelworkers AFL-CIO•CLC Five Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA Co-Directors Let’s Wake Up 15222. Subscriptions to non-members: $12 for one year; $20 for two years. Periodicals postage paid at Pittsburgh, PA and additional mailing offices. Tax Breaks for Middle Class Brenda Fentress, Local 13796 Gerald P. Johnston, District 1 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: USW@Work, USW Membership Department, 3340 Perimeter Hill Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 We retirees and all working people Demotte, Ind. Lloyd Walters, District 9 I am voting for the Obama/Biden Copyright 2008 by United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO•CLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written must wake up and support those politi- Kenneth O. Test consent of the United Steelworkers. ticket because they support middle

2 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 3 I started off with Hillary Clinton and I worked for her. But after it was decided that Barack Obama was the candidate, then it was time to back him. “ I’m very disappointed that Hillary didn’t get the chance, but that’s the way things go. Obama made a good choice with Joe Biden for vice president. Things are looking real bad for, frankly, the world. It just seems like everything is going wrong and I’m worried. We’ve got real big problems with the economy, the banks and the debt we are incurring in Iraq. The war is a big thing. Wall Street is dropping. Everybody is going bankrupt. There is no alternative. I can’t vote Republican. Frankly, it’s ix years ago, Tony and Carolyn Milini were needed people to run it and I was fortu- the Republicans who got us in this mess. nate to be a member of Local 1200 and living the American dream. Tony had a Carolyn Cornell have enough seniority to get back to good-paying job and 28 years of service Local 1543 (retired), Jacksonville, Fla.” S work on my union job.” with a steel company that provided his family with a solid, middle-class standard of living. Pension slashed I am an Obama supporter. Originally I was not. Originally I was an Edwards sup- USW activists Rick Wright and Jolanta Hiles porter, but it became evident that the only way to go is to support Barack Obama. met the Milini family and their two dogs while A second shock wave hit the Milini “ I’m supporting Barack Obama because of American jobs, American jobs and canvassing union households for the November household when the PBGC notified American jobs. I know that sounds simplistic, but that’s impor- election on their quiet, tree-lined neighborhood in Tony that he was not entitled to the tant Where I live, in fact in the whole country, factories are shut Canton, Ohio. $406 pension he had been collecting down, buildings are gone. The place where I used to work In a conversation on their rear patio, Tony because the agency seized the pension before I retired – it’s gone. Jobs have gone to Mexico, to China, recalled the events that changed his family’s lives, plan while his plant was still operating. India and everywhere else. beginning in 2001 when a global financial crisis Along with hundreds of others, the We need a president who believes that American jobs are the ravaged the steel industry, sending more than 50 PBGC determined that he was not enti- most important things in the world. And I believe Barack Obama steel companies, including his employer, into tled to the shutdown provisions of the will put American jobs first. George Bush has not done that. John McCain will not do that. bankruptcy. pension agreement. His pension was recalculated to be We can’t have this giving (tax) credits to companies for shipping Suddenly, like a bolt of lightening, their jobs overseas. It’s the most obscene thing. lives were turned upside down. Tony lost $92 a month. Since the PBGC deter- mined that he had been overpaid, the American jobs are number one, but we need a health care plan his job and his benefits. The only thing that covers all of us, from little children to people like me. Barack salvaged was his pension, and it was agency began deducting $10 a month in repayment. He now receives an $82 Obama believes in that. I know he does. I’ve had the opportunity to talk with him and I taken over by the government-run feel very good about what he will do. Pension Benefit Guaranty monthly pension for his 28 years of ser- vice. We need a president who will recognize the importance of working people. I’m talk- Corporation (PBGC), paying him ing about average people like us. We need to do more to take care of our retirees and only $406 a month. Voting for change honor the service that they’ve given to our country. They shouldn’t be just tossed out The Milinis were four years Now Milini is 56 years old and like someone’s trash. Barack Obama – I believe that he will place an importance in that. away from having their home happy to be back on the job as a caster John McCain? I feel good about his service record. He gave time to our country. I paid off when tragedy hit. But operator. He is accruing new pension applaud that. The votes he has made as a senator I don’t believe have been in the best service of working people. He’s never been on our side. those were tough economic benefits under his union contract. times. With trouble making When the talk turned to politics, Robert “Big Red” Rankin ends meet, they had to refi- Tony reflected on his situation and the Local 1981 (retired), Carson, Calif. ” nance the mortgage for a much broader picture. longer term. “We’ve got to put some life back I support Barack Obama. Steel crisis passed into this country, especially for the “ The whole country is at stake. The economy is in shambles. middle class.” he said. “If somebody We’re at war. We’re in debt. China owns a big portion of our debt. Tony thought his job with I don’t see it stopping unless we change the leadership. Republic Technologies doesn’t do something, all that we’re going to have left is the rich and the Our members need to support Obama because, if they don’t, International was gone for good. As the last eight years are nothing compared to what the next four poor. That’s why my family is voting the steel crisis passed, the company are going to be if John McCain gets elected. came out of bankruptcy and was for Barack Obama.” John McCain is as anti-labor a presidential candidate as I’ve restructured under new ownership with As the activists departed, one of ever come across. He has voted 90% plus against labor and that a new name, Republic Engineered them asked Tony how long he expected to me is the main reason to go against him. Products. to continue working. “I had planned to retire at 62,” he George Fomby More than 1,000 workers were employed Local 9448, Texarkana, Texas ” there before bankruptcy. Employment has said slowly, pondering his thoughts. “I climbed back up to 480 following the installa- should have had six more years to go, tion three years ago of a continuous caster, but I just won’t have enough coming in to pay the bills.” USW activist Rick Wright discusses politics which opened up jobs for those who retained with Tony Milini in his backyard. recall rights.“I thought I’d never get back in He paused, looked down and said, Photo by Steve Dietz that mill,” Milini said. “But the new caster “I’m stuck.”

4 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 5 nominee Jill Long Thompson, our endorsed candidate. Complimentary but- tons featuring both candidates were given out at shift changes. “If every local union did this – got out at the plant gates, sent the fliers in the mail, went on labor walks, and made the member-to-member phone calls, we’d win by a landslide and the November elections would just be a formality,’’ Local 715 member Julie Wagner said as she passed out leaflets and buttons one he USW is working like never union mailings and labor walks in their grateful to talk about these issues with to get the word out, that’s what is going The labor movement, including the day in September. before to elect Senator Barack geographic areas. other union members,” Vereb said. “That to make the difference in November!” AFL-CIO and unions outside the federa- In Colorado, USW retirees Bob and TObama and his Democratic running The more people get involved, the is why the work site leafleting and labor The USW is also working in a strate- tion, expect to reach more than 13 million Joyce Knapp are dedicating their time by mate, Senator Joe Biden, as the next more they realize how important politics walks are so important, along with the gic alliance with three other unions – the voters in battleground states who belong reaching out to fellow retirees on the president and vice president. can be to their jobs and family life, said local mailings and phone banking.” Communications Workers of America to unions or the AFL-CIO’s community issues at stake in this election. They are “Our members have felt the brunt of Keli Vereb, a USW release staff member It is especially effective when union (CWA), the United Auto Workers (UAW) affiliate, Working America. particularly concerned about ensuring a this economy and this failed Republican who is working as a coordinator in members personally engage other union and the International Federation of With the most intense weeks of the secure retirement for workers in the face administration. We are hungry for change Western Pennsylvania, a key battle- members on the candidates and issues Professional and Technical Engineers campaign yet to come, by Labor Day of the current economic crisis and the in the best interests of working men and ground state. during labor walks or plant gate visits. (IFPTE). union volunteers had visited an estimated Bush/McCain scheme to privatize Social women,’’ said Chuck Rocha, the USW’s “Look at what the past eight years Greg Poling, an activist from USW That partnership is working together in 300,000 union voters’ homes and distrib- Security. political director. have done to us,’’ she said. “I don’t know Local 715 in Woodburn, Ind., has volun- seven key states – Louisiana, Kentucky, uted over two million flyers that touted “It’s important for union members to The USW is deploying an army of how many of us will still have a job if we teered for plant gate leafleting and neigh- Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Sen. Obama’s record in support of work- elect Barack Obama,’’ said Bob Knapp. volunteer rank and file members expect- have to go through another four years of borhood walks. He discovered that peo- Pennsylvania and Virginia – with the pur- ing families. “In my eyes, he’s … the only one who ed to number 10,000 or more in 25 states this.” ple open up and become comfortable pose of highlighting common manufac- There is much more at stake than the talked about working people’s issues and where union members are concentrated, a once they find out door knockers are turing issues. Common priorities include presidency. Labor will be engaged in More undecided voters we need to have that. big boost from the 4,200 volunteers who local union members. the Employee Free Choice Act, jobs and more than 510 races nationwide including “We, as retirees, have savings accounts There are more undecided voters than participated in the 2006 election. “As union members, we all go fair trade, health care and retirement national and state contests. that have hit the bricks pretty hard in the ever before and many of those undecided The volunteers are organized by 250 through the same things. We think about security. last four years under the Bush administra- voters are union members who have an Flyers and buttons full-time campaign coordinators. A com- our retirement, whether or not our jobs "We have an opportunity to change tion. And we’re on fixed income, so interest in improving trade relations, At the BFGoodrich plant in Woodburn, bination of paid casuals and staff work- will stay here, etc.,” Poling said. “That’s things," said USW retiree Steve Skvara, a you’ve got talk about jobs; you’ve got to health care coverage and the ability of Ind., activists from USW Local 715 dis- ing on the campaign through the USW’s the connection that allows us to get our union activist and SOAR coordinator in talk about security; you’ve got to talk unions to organize. tributed informational flyers on Obama “hot idle” program, coordinators oversee message out better than the campaigns Indiana. “Our feet have got to hit the about the security of Social Security.” worksite leafleting, phone banks, local “Union members are especially themselves. And as long as we continue streets to make that happen." and Indiana Democratic gubernatorial

USW activists leaflet in Steubenville and Canton, Ohio. Photos by Steve Dietz

6 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 7 Barack Obama is going to be great for the working people in this country. Without Barack Obama, I think working people will probably have to just pack it in, particularly “with what’s been happening over the last eight years with the Republican Party. All of our jobs have been going overseas. The generational and the financial gaps are getting wider and wider. I think Barack Obama is going to reverse those trends and keep jobs here in America. We’ve got to look at the facts and it’s about economics. You can suffer for the next four or eight years with the Republican he new, historic, four-year labor will be contributed to the trust account make significant capital investment in in the future with the company’s com- Party and John McCain or we can change the direction that this designed to help offset our future health their U.S. plants to keep our mills state agreements between the USW and mitment for capital investment. country is going in by supporting Barack Obama. Ttwo of our country’s largest steel care costs. At ArcelorMittal, the profit- of the art in order to compete in a global “We’ve looked after our retirees and It’s not about Barack Obama. It’s not about whether he’s manufacturers, U.S. Steel and sharing plan has been amended to elimi- steel market. those who will retire in the future,” he black or white. It’s about us being prepared to move forward in ArcelorMittal, both increase wages and nate minimum profit thresholds and now The agreements also provide for an added. “We’ve been very responsive the future and electing someone who cares about us. benefits, while bringing pensions up to pays on the first dollar of Earnings “Energy Efficiency and Carbon to our membership and very responsi- Support yourself. That’s what it’s all about. levels that far surpass most industries. Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT). Emissions Task Force,” where the union ble in the best business sense. Our and company will work together to pro- membership is looking forward to the Robert Avery ” tect and benefit the industry and the next few years with enthusiasm.” Local 12, Gadsden, Ala. The industry’s restructuring is environment. District 1 Director Dave McCall, “over. We’ve protected our plants In addition to economic issues, many who served as lead negotiator with I am supporting Barack Obama because of my children. I have three college-age in the past and now, in the future, problems dealing with local working ArcelorMittal, said, “Our members and children. College tuition is rising, becoming too expensive for the middle class. Obama conditions, including seniority and out- retirees who built the steel industry “is the strongest candidate on working family issues. We have lost ourselves. We have to do something about the trade issue. When Bush International Vice President with the company’s commitment sourcing of work were resolved. and saved it from collapse during the Tom Conway for capital investment. “It’s the best basic steel contract that steel crisis deserve this contract.” came into office we had paper mills in our local that are completely gone now. Those we’ve had in the last 30 years,” said “Their solidarity over the years, men and women lost those jobs. I had good friends in Tyler, For decades, basic steel negotiators Pensions – A $100 pension multiplier” International Vice President Tom especially as we drew close to contract Texas, at the Goodyear plant and now it’s gone. It’s gone to have operated under the discipline of will go into effect for all years of service Conway, who served as the union’s expiration, gave our bargaining com- China. I’ve been involved with some organizing drives and I have pattern bargaining – where wages, bene- going forward beginning Jan. 1, 2009. chief negotiator with U.S. Steel. “The mittee the support we needed to seen what happens when someone brave stands up and says, “I fits and pensions are negotiated indus- Also, for workers covered under the industry’s restructuring is over. We’ve achieve these gains,” he said. “I’m want a union.” They are putting their jobs at risk. try-wide so that companies cannot play Steelworkers Pension Trust, we protected our plants in the past, now and proud of our members and proud of John McCain. I respect his service, but … to say he repre- one set of workers off against another. our committee for demanding fairness sents working people is ludicrous. Look at his voting record - “This is an historic agreement that at the bargaining table for the members 95 percent with George Bush. He’s not a maverick, he’s a side- completes the restructuring of the steel Our members and retirees who and retirees we are so privileged to kick. industry following its near collapse five built the steel industry and saved represent.” years ago when a global financial crisis “ Lee Medley” plunged company after company into it from collapse during the steel Local 13-1, Galveston, Texas bankruptcy,” said International President crisis deserve this contract. District 1 Director Leo W. Gerard. “The hard work of our Dave McCall What’s at stake in this election is our future. We’ve been members was instrumental in rescuing improved the hourly contri- ” on a path that is destructive to America and we need to the industry and putting it back onto the bution from $1.80 to $2.65 change“ that. We need to change our priorities. We need road of profit that it rides today. per hour. to bring jobs back to the United States. We need to change our dependence on foreign oil. And it can be done. We as a “We’ve won good wage and pension Benefits – The agreements increases in these contracts and our country need to understand that our resources need to be improve the existing medical, generated properly and spent properly. members are well deserving of it,” he prescription drug, dental, said. “Our union has always negotiated It’s unconscionable the way that our government is con- vision, life and sickness and ducting itself. The amount of debt, where we spend our money, a pattern in basic steel and this contract accident benefits for all eligi- sets the standard for agreements that all of that is inappropriate. ble employees. Prescription When Bush came into office there was a budget surplus -- come next.” drug co-pays were unchanged. now there isn’t. Too many jobs have left our country. We are Highlights of the agreements: Retiree health care funding – spending too much money on a war that should not have been Wages – USW-represented workers will fought. We’ve lost focus. We have ensured that the receive a $6,000 cash payment, and a $1 Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee. The people have decided that’s who an hour increase retroactive to Sept.1. VEBAs (Voluntary Employee we’re going to support, and that’s why I’m supporting him. We must change America. Four percent wage increases will come Beneficiary Association) will be And Barack Obama is the best vehicle for that change. in years two, three and four. well funded for the duration of the agreements. This money will Jim Buckley ” Profit sharing – At U.S. Steel, begin- be used to continue to provide Local 4802, Nashville, Tenn. ning in 2009, if profit-sharing payments benefits for USW retirees and for any quarter that are more than $10 serve as a safety net for future per hour due to the company’s European retirees. operations, the excess money will be banked and if profit sharing exceeds In addition to economic gains, the $20,000 a year per member, the excess agreements require the companies to

8 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 9 ore than 300 rank-and-file dele- their proposals, the committee reviewed There are also proposals to create a gates representing 30,000 USW them and compiled the final policy. Then joint labor/management health, safety Moil workers met in Pittsburgh to delegates discussed and voted on the and environment committee and posi- develop bargaining policies for next policy and the health, safety and envi- tions for a health, safety and environ- year’s round of contract negotiations ronment language. ment representative and alternate, a with an industry making record profits. “Provisions in the National Oil process safety management representa- The National Oil Bargaining Policy, Bargaining policy ensure that our oil tive and alternate, and a USW corporate developed in meetings held Sept. 8 to facilities and communities will be safer health, safety and environment coordina- 12, addresses main issues of bargaining and that oil workers will be able to take tor. including wages, health care benefits, care of their families,” Beevers said. “This is the most comprehensive the term of agreements and health and “Our proposals will have a positive health and safety language we’ve ever safety, particularly process safety. Oil impact on the community.” had in the history of oil bargaining,” said locals have until Oct. 27 to ratify the Health, safety Jim Savage of Local 10-1, a member of policy and hold strike authorization & environment overhaul the bargaining policy committee. votes. The USW is proposing an overhaul in By adopting the national policy, local Fair share wanted National Oil Bargaining health, safety unions agree that their contracts will not Oil workers are expecting their fair and environment language. Covered top- conflict with it absent specific approval share in this round of oil bargaining, ics include employee and union rights, of International President Leo W. especially since the major oil companies the right to refuse unsafe work, coopera- Gerard, International Vice President are reaping huge profits. Six of the tion in achieving health and safety objec- Gary Beevers, who heads the National major international oil companies earned tives, protective equipment, testing for Oil Bargaining program, and the Oil $51.5 billion in combined profits during hazards, medical assistance at work, Bargaining Policy Committee. the second quarter. accident reporting, reporting of A majority of the contracts under “The oil companies have profited morbidity and mortality information, National Oil Bargaining end Feb. 1, highly because of my labor and I want fatigue, staffing, mechanical integrity, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. Our union represents my fair share,” Rachelle and safe siting/non-essential workers at facilities that together make Honeycutt, a Local 12-590 mem- personnel issues. up a majority of the oil refining capacity ber, said. in the United States. About 30,000 work- Besides the creation of the ers in the production, refin- National Oil Bargaining Policy, ing, marketing, trans- the conference also focused on Photos by Steve Dietz port and pipeline sec- preparing members for negotia- tors will be covered tions. There were presentations by the National Oil on health and safety, the oil Bargaining pattern industry, handling the media, agreement. Talks are the law of collective bargain- expected to be held in ing and fighting smart to December and January. win. Richard Trumka, secre- Rank-and-file Input tary-treasurer of the AFL- “This policy was CIO, and Gerard both dis- Gary Beevers developed by the rank- cussed bargaining and the and-file leaders of our oil importance of this year’s sector to reflect the needs presidential election in of the workers who labor addresses to the confer- for some of the richest cor- ence. porations in the world and to “This is our time at reflect the needs of the com- the collective bargain- Leo W. Gerard munities in which they live ing table and in the and work,” Gerard said. election,” Gerard said. Oil delegates gathered in “This is our opportu- company councils to discuss nity to leave a better possible proposals and to go world for our kids over the health, safety and envi- and grandkids.” ronment language developed by the rank-and-file policy committee. After the councils presented

10 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 11 SW-represented workers are urging NewPage Corp. long association with the to reopen a closed paper mill that supported 600 Appleton, Wisconsin-based Ujobs and the small town of Kimberly, Wis., or sell it Paper Industry Hall of to a firm that will. Fame, said he could not “We have a world class mill and a world class work comprehend the reasons force,” said USW Local 2-9 President Andy Nirschl. behind the decision. “There’s no reason this mill couldn’t be sold to another “This mill is one of the papermaker.” shining stars. Somebody’s outbidding them Workers and their community allies in Kimberly are or whatever. The new magazine market in India and China is almost doubling every year,” Dugal told battling the forces of unfair trade and NewPage’s unwill- expressed interest in buying the mill. Workers also say they voided the local union’s contract, which expires March 31, the Appleton Post-Crescent. ingness to operate or sell a mill that manufactured glossy could make a different product that would not compete 2010. paper for magazines, catalogs and brochures. Imports a strong factor against NewPage. Since the shutdown was announced July 30, activists Impact of shutdown on election NewPage blamed the shutdown on the lack of an onsite “I work on No. 6 paper machine so I know,” worker Joe have lobbied local, state and federal officials, held a can- DeGroot told local ABC TV affiliate WBAY. “With some The Kimberly shutdown has community members dlelight vigil and persuaded the community to display pulp mill at the Kimberly facility, which it said makes pro- thinking about their vote in this fall’s presidential election. duction expensive. It also cited soaring costs for changes there we can make colored printing paper very more than 2,700 “Run or Sell” signs at their homes and easy.” “The people will support the little guy, so to speak, instead of businesses. pulp and energy; too much coated paper on the mar- big corporate America,’’ worker Bob Brukardt said. ket; lack of demand because of the weakening NewPage repeatedly has said the mill is not for sale. A crew of about 20 workers is Nirschl, the local president, introduced Obama at a Labor economy and competition from imports. Day rally in Milwaukee and said the candidate asked him For almost 120 years this Imports have jumped in the last five to seven maintaining equipment while the company waits on improved market conditions. It says about the Kimberly workers earlier that day. mill was the economic lifeblood years, partly because U.S. mills tend to be older “Let me tell you, Barack Obama cares about us,” he said. “ and less efficient than newer plants elsewhere, said it will keep the mill idle for at least six of Kimberly. months. “He understands how hard the struggle is and he knows how Jeff Landin, president of the Wisconsin Paper to fix it.” Council. If the mill is reopened former workers will NewPage is the largest maker of coated paper in North be hired back first. Closure of the mill has not America and is owned by Cerberus Capital” Management, a Unfair trade is a major reason imports are New York private equity firm. cheaper. The USW supported NewPage’s 2007 anti-dumping and anti-subsidy case against 119 years of manufacturing China, Indonesia and South Korea. Although the Workers and allies in Kimberly, Wis., protest paper mill closure. Kimberly has been a one-industry town since Kimberly- U.S. Commerce Department imposed anti-dump- Photo by Elizabeth Laux Clark built the mill and the town in 1889. Successive gen- ing and anti-subsidy duties on some erations of paper workers kept the mill humming until its types of paper from these countries, closure on Sept. 8. the U.S. International Trade “For almost 120 years this mill was the economic Commission overturned the deci- lifeblood of Kimberly,” said Nirschl, a 28-year employee. sion, stating that American indus- “I don’t know how this community will survive with the try hadn’t proven it was material- mill closure.” ly harmed by Asian imports. The closure affects 600 employees, their families and “If not for that ruling I’m countless businesses that provide goods and services to the very confident Kimberly would be mill and its workers. running today,” NewPage CEO “My grandfather worked there and my father, and I Mark Suwyn said. have three brothers who work there. A lot of people are U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) wondering what’s going to happen,” Rick Hermus, the asked the ITC on Sept. 4 to reopen Kimberly village administrator, told reporters. the NewPage case. U.S. Rep. Only a few weeks before the July 30 announcement, Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) testified senior company officials had said there were no plans for a before the ITC on Oct. 2 and submit- shutdown. ted a petition from the local union. “We were shocked that despite having stepped up to the At press time, Kohl, U.S. Sen. Russ plate to compete on some of the better assets in the indus- Feingold and U.S. Reps. Tom Petri and try, Kimberly and its workers lost the game largely due to Steve Kagen were meeting with NewPage the short-sighted venture capital mentality on Wall Street, to discuss bringing papermaking back to and because politicians and special interests have allowed Kimberly, the possibility of a buyer and our economic fate to be decided exclusively by the so- how lawmakers can help. called invisible hand of the market that is wreaking royal NewPage rejected both a local union havoc with our economy, our security and livelihoods,” offer to renegotiate its contract and an International Vice President Jon Geenen wrote in an incentive package from Wisconsin to keep editorial. the plant open. Geenen quoted a senior com- The Kimberly mill closure was a surprise to many pany official as saying the plant could not be because the mill houses some of NewPage’s newest and saved even if workers labored for free. fastest equipment. Doug Dugal, a paper scientist who has a At least two potential buyers have

12 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 13 hat you hear when Republican Like union families across America, to provide insurance. Maybe unions presidential nominee John most Steelworker families earn more than could stop employers from reducing their WMcCain describes his health the median, frequently placing them in a payments because of protections in con- plan is not all you get. higher tax bracket. In addition, your tract language, but how the $5,000 would nternational President Leo W. "How can we lose more than What he talks about is the tax credits health insurance is generally better, and be credited toward insurance payments Gerard lobbied the Democratic Party 3.5 million manufacturing jobs and see he would provide – $5,000 for families thus costs more. All of that added togeth- would end up a negotiating issue. to make trade reform an integral part more than 40,000 facilities shuttered and $2,500 for individuals – to help them er means you would pay even higher What is clear from professional analy- I of its platform for this year’s election. and ask our citizens to support trade pay for insurance. taxes under McCain’s plan – more like ses of the McCain plan is that it likely Calling the platform a “roadmap that policies that have shipped their jobs That sounds great, until you hear $2,750 a year. will prompt young, healthy single people guides the entire party, including leaders overseas?" about the rest of the McCain health plan Theoretically, that cost could be offset to drop their company coverage and use in the governor's mansions, in the story. by the $2,500 or $5,000 McCain health their $2,500 tax credit to buy insurance Congress and in the state houses,” "How can we refuse to pursue First of all, you’ll never see the money care tax credit. But numerous hitches on the private market. Gerard asked the Democratic National aggressively enough the fight for from those credits. It’s to go directly to limit that credit. That, in turn, will significantly Platform committee a series of questions labor rights in America or overseas the insurance companies. It’s not a tax First of all, families have no real con- increase the cost of insurance for the meant to solidify the party’s approach to and expect that workers in other rebate for you. It’s a tax credit – for big trol over this credit since it goes directly older, less healthy workers who remain in trade. nations will have the rights necessary insurance companies. to insurance companies. McCain says the company-sponsored plan, which, “George Bush and his Republican to be adequately compensated for their Second, McCain is going to give you right on his web site that he plans to give again, will quickly eat away at that henchmen have left this nation in debt – labor and help build a bridge to the a brand new tax – on your health insur- the money to them, not to you: “the $5,000 credit. economically, morally, culturally and middle class?" ance benefits. And second, those tax money would be sent directly to the Finally, the credit is to rise at the rate ideologically,” Gerard told the commit- credits he keeps bragging about won’t insurance provider.” of inflation under McCain’s plan, but "How can we watch as other Page One Photo tee. accomplish real savings in the long run. There is nothing in McCain’s plan to health insurance prices outpace inflation nations – like China – subsidize their “Our party stands united in wanting If you are one of the 158 million peo- stop the health insurers from just hiking by far. So, again, the $2,500 or $5,000 producers, dump their products on our to change course,” he added. “Senator strong and fair trade policies” that safe- ple who receive health insurance through up prices by the amount of the tax credit. credit would quickly disappear, leaving markets and refuse to accept our goods Obama has inspired us to believe that guard the nation’s workers, businesses an employer, McCain intends to treat the In addition, there’s nothing to stop the worker with nothing but the new tax in their markets and simply continue to not only is now the time, but that there is and farmers from unfair trade practices value of that benefit as income and tax it. employers from simply reducing their to pay. spout ideology while refusing to enforce hope. Hope and also faith, that together, including currency manipulation, lax Whatever your employer pays toward payments for health insurance by the Many experts have predicted employ- our own laws?" we can make a difference.” consumer standards, illegal subsidies and your health insurance would be added amount of the tax credit. This may well ers will eliminate health insurance bene- "How can we let policy makers tell violations of workers’ rights and envi- directly to your income, then taxed. For happen, too, because many experts fits. But the $5,000 credit won’t come Here are some of Gerard’s questions: our children that they should work hard ronmental standards. some families, that could come to $1,300 believe employers would lose some tax close to covering the cost. And insurance and go to college to get one of the ‘jobs “How can we continue to run trade It promised an end to tax breaks for more a year in taxes. But it will be more benefits under McCain’s plan, which companies are notorious for rejecting of the future' when those jobs increas- deficits of hundreds of billions of dollars companies that ship jobs overseas, for most Steelworkers. would make it more expensive for them anyone with pre-existing conditions – a ingly are being done offshore as our a year, accumulating more than $6 tril- pledged incentives to keep and maintain child with asthma, a parent with diabetes, nation's advanced technology trade lion in current account deficits since good-paying jobs in the United States even a teenager with acne. deficit with China alone amounts to 1994 - borrowing about $2 billion each and called for more equitably sharing the McCain claims that as individuals more than $67 billion?' and every day and not expect that there benefits of open trade. enter the market for insurance, competi- The final platform called for “smart, tion will increase and prices will fall. will be a price to pay?" That assumes individuals have the nego- tiating power and the fine-print expertise of entire corporate benefit departments emocratic presidents over the years have devoted to wrangling with giant meant better wages, and Larry Bartels, a pro- insurance companies. Dfessor of politics at Princeton, has crunched With 47 million Americans the numbers to prove it. already without health insur- Under Democratic administrations, income growth ance, McCain’s plan will add has been more vigorous among the poor than among millions more with its new the rich, while under Republican administrations the tax on employer-provided reverse has been true. benefits and its push for Bartels found that the real incomes of middle-class workers to buy coverage families grew more than twice as fast with Democrats on their own with no in the White House than with a Republican president. guarantee insurers must Real incomes for the working poor grew six times as accept them. fast under a Democratic president. Bartels, author of Unequal Democracy: The Political Economy of the New Gilded Age, found that income would be more equal today than in the 1950s had our national prosperity been shared under Republican presidents as it was under Democrats. Instead, our nation is increasingly one of haves and have-nots, mired in income inequality more severe than at any time since the days of the robber barons.

Photo by Wix Pix Productions, Inc. 14 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 15 s unemployment, gas prices, seized it late in risky investments went bad. regulator. He began calling for regulation inflation and foreclosures all September and sold it to Despite that nasty brush with of financial markets and said greed by Arose at middle-class killing JPMorgan Chase for Bernanke went to Congress in Sen. Barack Obama, reserved judgment the ugly results of deregulation, corporate executives had caused the rates, the presidential election around $1.9 billion. And as September waned, September and insisted they needed on Paulson’s and Bernanke’s pronounce- McCain continued to espouse the Ronald problem. the time of the Republican convention so did banking giant Wachovia, which another $700 billion to buy bad debt ments, particularly when they demanded Reagan line that regulation is wrong. But this was coming from a man who devolved into a bridge-to-nowhere Citigroup bought in another deal bro- from reckless investors to stave off what $700 billion to bail out Wall Street. He Just a few years after the S&L crisis retains as one of his chief financial advi- debate over lipstick on pit bulls. kered by federal regulators. they perceived to be an imminent col- wanted to meet with a panel of financial McCain was on the Senate floor support- sors Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett- The pointless prattle stopped only ing financial deregulation. Packard CEO who was fired for costing Reckless Wall Street lapse on Wall Street. advisors before announcing anything. He when, like drunken drivers, investment the company half of its value during her When Federal Reserve Chairman Ben The reaction of the two presidential said that in a crisis such as this, New Deal reforms repealed banks and insurance firms began crash- contenders to the financial lurching bi-partisan cooperation was important, reign, yet walked away with $42 million. ing on Wall Street. S. Bernanke and Treasury Secretary In 1999, McCain voted for a Phil Also through this period, McCain Henry M. Paulson Jr. demanded $200 illustrated clearly the difference in their and inflaming partisan bickering with Gramm-authored bill repealing New First the mortgage giants Freddie tone, temperament and qualification to rash pronouncements was dangerous. illustrated his tendency to pop a Mac and Fannie Mae careened out of billion in equity injections to keep Deal reforms intended to prevent com- response, one that didn’t necessarily Fannie and Freddie alive and then lead this country back to stability. The Republican nominee, Sen. John mercial banks, insurance companies and control. Then the investments banks The Democratic nominee, McCain, by contrast, lashed out immedi- make sense or had to be retracted later. smashed, Lehman Brothers in bankrupt- another $85 billion to save AIG, the investment banks from mingling their One of his first reactions to the crisis, political conversation finally returned to ately, demanding the firing of businesses. It was a law that many con- cy and Merrill Lynch, its stock nearly Christopher Cox, chairman of the for example, was to announce that if he worthless, bought by Bank of the relevant. tend would have prevented the rampant were president, he would fire Cox, the Political inanity disap- Securities and Exchange Commission. financial institution consolidation and America. The largest insurance First he said no federal aid should go to SEC chairman. The president does not company in the world, American peared when Paulson and speculation that created the current crisis. have the power to fire the chairman of AIG, then he reversed course two days Gramm, of Texas, left the Senate International Group (AIG), later, saying the federal rescue of AIG the SEC. collided with the reality of shortly afterward to work for the Swiss Then, as it was revealed that insur- was fine. bank UBS, and McCain appointed him bad debt. Next came the At first, McCain just called for a 911- ance giant AIG was in trouble, McCain largest bank failure in U.S. co-chairman of his presidential cam- said there was no way taxpayers should style commission to study the problems paign. Gramm resigned in July, however, history – Washington on Wall Street, then a few days later, he bail out the corporation. Two days later, Mutual. Federal regulators after saying that the United States had he was all for the taxpayer bailout. was all for immediate creation of a new become a “nation of whiners” about federal agency to buy out $700 billion in what was nothing more than a “mental Obama response measured bad debt. recession.” By contrast, Sen. Obama’s responses Flying off the handle Even so, Gramm seems to still be a have been measured. He has called for For McCain, this financial calamity is very close advisor to McCain. He joined protections for the middle class, the tax- particularly difficult because of his his- the candidate in mid-August, sitting payers who the Bush administration tory as a champion of deregulation and among the campaign’s top advisers as seems to think should just hand over his interference during the last bank- they gathered for a series of briefings in their hard earned dollars – again, think ing crisis, the savings and loan Aspen, Colo. S&Ls – to bail out reckless, overpaid debacle of the 1980s, which fol- Throughout that time, and until CEOs. lowed deregulation that allowed Paulson’s and Bernanke’s request for the Obama said that any Congressional the S&Ls to make risky invest- $700 billion bailout, McCain character- assistance should contain provisions to ments. ized himself as a deregulator who helped make it possible for homeowners facing McCain was reprimanded get government off the back of corpora- foreclosure to stay in their homes. by Congress in 1991 for “poor tions. “We cannot have a plan for Wall judgment” after he intervened “Opening up the health insurance Street banks that does not help home- with regulators on behalf of the market to more vigorous nationwide owners stay in their homes and help dis- foundering S&L of a friend and competition, as we have done over the tressed communities,” his campaign said contributor, Charles Keating, who last decade in banking, would provide in a statement. In addition, he said the would later be jailed for fraud. more choices of innovative products less bailout must contain oversight, fairness, McCain and four others who became burdened by the worst excesses of state- transparency and reform so that known as the “Keating Five” received based regulation,” he wrote in the Congress does not give the treasury sec- $1.3 million in campaign and other con- September/October issue of retary a blank check and free reign to do tributions from Keating and his associ- Contingencies, a magazine for actuaries. whatever he wants. ates. Taxpayers shelled out hundreds of Suddenly, however, when many In a crisis, McCain issued double talk billions for the nearly 800 S&Ls, includ- experts were saying that proper regula- on his historical support for deregulation. Senators Joe Biden and Barack Obama at the ing Keating’s, that collapsed after their tion may have prevented the Wall Street Sen. Obama showed calm resolve and a Democratic National Convention in Denver. crash, McCain transformed into a clear desire to protect the middle class. Page One Photo 16 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 17 ocal 1189 negotiator Randy Besaw and his fellow workers Lat the former Pope & Talbot mill in Halsey, Ore., are learning firsthand the value of contract Barack Obama recognizes the great conservation legacy of America's protection language, technically hunters and anglers. known as successorship. Were it not for America's hunters and anglers, including great icons like If you don’t have this language to no dignity, no pride, and that’s the keep your contract and what you bar- conditions our workers and our you have to pay 50 percent of the premi- Theodore Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold (the father of wildlife management), gained in place for the agreement’s term, union members are working under,” um. We’re talking $700-800 a month. our nation would not have the tradition of sound game management and an especially in the event of a sale, you Besaw said. He has worked at the plant We were paying $100 per month prior to extensive public lands estate on which to hunt and fish. could have to reapply for your job and for 25 years. Wayzata taking over our mill,” Besaw Obama will make sportsmen and their priorities a centerpiece of his land fight all over again for the wages, bene- Wages were slashed from 12 to 28 said. fits and respect you once had. percent, and employees are being forced After failing to receive a reply from and water conservation agenda. Pope &Talbot, a 159-year-old wood to pay up to $3,000 for deductibles and the company to a certified letter, Besaw products company, filed for bankruptcy up to $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses and Local 1189 President Leon C. Protect Gun Rights most important fish and wildlife habitat, Provide Incentives to protection last year and closed its Halsey for family health insurance. Workers Harlson traveled to corporate headquar- Millions of hunters and shooters own wildlife corridors, and other areas while Conserve Private Lands mill on May 9 after a court ordered liq- also lost seniority and pension benefits. ters in Wayzata, Minn., for a Sept. 5 and use guns each year. Barack Obama ensuring responsible energy develop- Obama will ensure that Farm Bill uidation. Wayzata Investment Partners, a A utilities recovery operator, for march and rally where they sought a believes the Second Amendment creates ment on our public lands. conservation programs are managed to specialist in private equity and hedge example, took a minimum 33 percent meeting with Wayzata managing partner an individual right, and he respects the provide maximum benefit to fish and funds, purchased the mill for $31.15 cut when wages and benefits are com- Patrick Halloran to urge him to halt the constitutional rights of Americans to Restore Resiliency to Fish and wildlife. Obama will also extend federal million and reopened it seven weeks pared before and after Wayzata’s pur- company’s unfair demands on workers bear arms. He will protect the rights of Wildlife Habitats tax incentives for landowners that place later on June 27 as Cascade Pacific Pulp chase, excluding loss in overtime, holi- and their community. hunters and other law-abiding Americans Climate change will increase drought, conservation easements on their land to LLC. day pay and vacation pay. They did not get a meeting with any- to purchase, own, transport and use wild fires, and flooding across the coun- conserve open space and protect water The mill’s 180 workers were fired, “We can’t get people to work there one at Wayzata, but a lieutenant from guns. try. Obama will work with Congress to quality. and Wayzata refused to honor the exist- anymore because the wages and benefits the local police department served the provide new funding to state and federal ing labor agreement. But since the com- are so bad,” Besaw said. “They’re mak- company with a letter requesting one. Create New Access for land and wildlife managers through cli- Protect Backcountry pany rehired a substantial majority of ing us work on our days off for straight Local 1189 organized a large plant Hunting and Angling mate change legislation to restore habi- Hunting and Fishing the former workers after it took over the time, so on my days off I can’t even gate rally on Sept. 21, complete with a As more and more private lands are tat, create wildlife migration corridors Keeping backcountry areas on our operation, our union demanded and have family time. parade-style caravan and a community subdivided or placed off limits, sports- and assist fish and wildlife to adapt to National Forests intact benefits fish, received recognition. “They didn’t provide us health insur- picnic, to protest the uncertain future men are losing access to places to hunt effects of a warming climate. wildlife, water resources, hunting and ance the day they hired us. They said under Wayzata. The local plans one and fish. Obama will ensure funding to angling. Obama will protect roadless Bargain not implement you have to wait 60 days for insurance, action a week until a fair contract is purchase land and easements to guaran- Protect Wetlands, which are Critical to areas on forest service lands. Obama At press time, the mill’s workers and then when they give you insurance, obtained. tee access. Obama will provide incen- Waterfowl and other Wildlife believes that these lands provide some of were insisting that the company bargain tives to farmers and ranchers who volun- Every year we lose 80,000 acres of the best fish and wildlife habitat and fairly over the terms of a new labor tarily open their land to hunting and fish- wetlands that are important to waterfowl hunting and angling opportunity in the agreement instead of unilaterally imple- ing. and wildlife. Obama will ensure that country. Obama will work with stake- menting changes. wetlands receive the protection they holders to conserve our nation's public “Wayzata came in and cut everything Restore Degraded Areas to Improve deserve and will provide a bright future lands. 50 percent, and showed us no respect, Hunting and Angling Opportunities for waterfowl. Obama will provide the resources to restore degraded lands and waters, enhancing places to hunt and fish. He supports the National Fish Habitat The National Rifle Association has struggled to convince its members that John Initiative and cleaning up abandoned McCain supports gun rights after several high profile disagreements over issues mines that pollute streams. including regulating gun shows and campaign finance reform. The Arizona Republican has twice co-sponsored legislation opposed by the NRA Promote Responsible Energy that would require background checks at all gun shows, whether private or public. Development on Public Lands The NRA has also tangled with McCain over campaign finance reform it claims Since 1999, drilling on public lands in would impinge on freedom of speech. the Rocky Mountain West has increased The NRA’s “high profile disagreements” with McCain have left many gun own- by 260 percent. This drilling rush has ers concerned about his candidacy, Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA, said profound consequences for fish, wildlife in an interview earlier this year with The Hill. and water resources. Obama will imple- “John McCain still has some work to do to give them a comfort level,” Cox said USW members and supporters protest Wayzata Investment Partners. ment an energy policy that protects the of gun owners. “Truth be told, he’s not there yet.”

18 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 19 going down.” Gerard noted the USW has made some progress in the oil refin- ing industry in the wake of a fatal 2005 explosion at a BP facili- ty in Texas City, Texas, that killed 15 people in which our members work that much better.” and injured 180 work- To improve conditions, it’s important to build strong local ing in temporary trailers. But there is much more to do. union safety committees with active and engaged members As part of a 10-point program developed with BP after the who can identify hazards and safety issues in the workplace, accident, the company pledged to hire almost 500 people in an said industrial hygienist Bill Kojola, an AFL-CIO safety attempt to deal with employee fatigue and maintenance. expert. Yet, almost 70 percent of other USW-represented refineries “If we’re going to improve safety and health conditions, it responding to a union survey reported having similar danger- has to happen on the ground,” Kojola said. “It has to happen in ous conditions as those that existed in Texas City. Gerard our factories and refineries, in our mills, in our hospitals and in called the survey results shocking. our workplaces.” Bush policies regressive Success hard to measure The Bush administration was criticized for its regressive Many times, it seems like the employers aren’t listening, policies regarding safety and health on the job. Government and fellow workers may not express gratitude for the agencies responsible for protecting workers, including the effort, Gerard said. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and “If you come to work and you realize there is an unsafe the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) seem to hazard and you work on getting it fixed, how do you know have abandoned their focus on workers. how many fingers and toes you have saved? How do you After the Texas City blast, for example, the federal know how many lives you have saved?” he asked. “But you Chemical Safety Board recommended that the petroleum should understand that the work you do as health and safety refining industry cease using portable trailers on rebuild and arlon Clopton took home new information about the activists is amongst the most important work you can do.” construction projects. explosive dangers of dust from the USW’s 2008 Gerard criticized an employer trend to engage in behavioral “Now guess what they’re doing? They’re putting up tents,’’ Health Safety & Environment Conference to his safety programs that blame and discipline workers for their Gerard said. M Gerard urged USW members to contact the union’s Health local at International Paper in Courtland, Ala. injuries rather than locating and eliminating underlying haz- Leo W. Gerard Dust explosions can be catastrophic and come with no ards. Safety & Environment Department if they see contractors notice. Industrial plants in a wide-variety of industries where Behavioral safety programs result in lower reported acci- using tents in refineries. He promised to fight for USW members work can be susceptible, particularly those dents, not safer workplaces, because a worker is forced to Congressional hearings. involved in the manufacture of rubber, plastics, chemicals, choose between speaking up and losing their job. U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate for metals, lumber, wood and food products. “Let me put you all on notice,” Gerard said. “If you are president, has promised to press the nation’s safety agencies to “It could be lifesaving,’’ said Clopton, a 30-year veteran of from our union, get involved in knowing the fallacy of behav- develop new regulations to protect workers on the job. IP, who intends to work with his local’s health and safety com- ioral safety, get yourself armed, put it on the bargaining table, “Workers are demanding that these agencies be held mittee to eliminate potential dust hazards in their plant, the bargain a real health and safety program, a health and safety accountable,” Kojola said. “Workers are demanding that the company’s largest. “I’m a believer in doing everything I can to program where we clean up the incidents and accidents.” safety and health conditions and the environment in this coun- promote safety.” try change.” Ignoring safety problems Taking care of family Both Kojola and Gerard accused the Bush administration of Bruce Stephens, of Local 12 in Gadsden, Ala., left the ignoring problems including mandatory overtime, excessive Delegates to the Health, Safety & week-long session ready to build up the lock-out, tag-out, try- hours of work, workplace stress and the impact of work reor- Environment Conference attend general out procedures at the Goodyear tire facility where he works. ganization including speedups, layoffs and job combinations. and breakout sessions. “Everyone in the plant is your family,’’ said Stephens. “You “The message from the Bush administration is you don’t Photos by Steve Dietz want everyone to go home safely with all of their fingers.” have to do a lot and blaming workers is okay,’’ Kojola said. The 1,400 delegates at the conference, mostly union Fatigue can play a role in industrial accidents, and Gerard activists with some invited management, were urged to never took a swipe at excessive overtime. It’s cheaper for employers let up the fight to improve conditions on the job. to give overtime than hire additional workers with pensions, “Nothing, nothing we can do is more important than creat- health care and other benefits, he said. ing a safe workplace for our members,’’ International President “We’ve got circumstances where the employer has cut the Leo W. Gerard said in a rousing keynote speech. work force to the bone and lots of things that would be noticed “For many of you, health and safety is a passion. You gravi- and fixed are not,’’ he said. “Many of us are going to work tated to health and safety because you wanted to make a without the necessary training, and many of us are getting difference,” Gerard said. “You wanted to make the conditions pushed at work. Accident rates are going up. They’re not

20 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 21 We definitely need a change. For the last eight years, the labor movement has been getting killed by the Bush adminis- “tration. We get no help from the Department of Labor or any- body else. Companies feel like they can do anything they want to you. They don’t have to honor contracts, or anything else. We are supporting Obama because we definitely need a change. We need a president who cares about working peo- hen the Justice Department production at Sparrows Point to its full North America’s steel industry… USW- mill in Dearborn, Mich., and a mini- ple and who will appoint people in the Department of Labor ordered Luxembourg-based capacity of 3.6 million tons. Mittal had represented Steelworkers are world-class mill, SeverCorr, that it built in who will give us help instead of working against us. WArcelorMittal to sell its used the plant as a swing facility, its out- partners for the economic future.” Mississippi. Ruelle Parker Sparrows Point steel plant, the USW put fluctuating with the market. Novolipetsk expands Local 13-423, Port Arthur, Texas ” was determined to ensure that the buyer During the search for a new owner, American buying spree would provide a secure future for our the USW maintained it would be diffi- Recently, Severstal has been on a In the biggest steel takeover so far North American buying spree. It is this year, Russia’s Novolipetsk Steel I am supporting Barack Obama because I have been union for 50 years through good members and the community that had cult to settle with a successor buyer times and bad times. If anyone is satisfied today with what has happened in the last eight among several steelmakers in Russia, agreed to buy the John Maneely Co. for so long depended on the mill. unless there was a long-term business “years, they need to take a clear look at the issues – the loss of jobs, the loss of good from the Carlyle Group, a private-equi- That buyer wound up being OAO and operational strategy to secure the the world’s fourth-largest steel producer, schools, the devastation of our communities. Severstal, one of Russia’s largest steel- future for our members, their families to take advantage of a weak dollar to ty firm, and other co-owners, for $3.5 We need to turn this around and change it. A vote for Barack makers. Severstal agreed to purchase and our retirees. acquire assets in the United States. billion. Obama is a vote for the future and to turn things around. Sparrows Point in Baltimore from Mittal “We now have that with Severstal,” The Russian company completed the The purchase of Maneely, the My slogan for this election is Vote for Your Job, Lobby for for $810 million and accept and, in fact, McCall said. Sparrows Point deal in May, the same largest independent tubemaker in North Your Hobby - you know, those personal issues – the abortion enhance the union’s contract covering The plant was originally owned by month it agreed to purchase Ohio-based America, is expected to close in the issue, rifles, guns. They’re not going to take everybody’s guns. those members. the now-defunct Bethlehem Steel Corp. WCI Steel Inc. for $331 million, includ- fourth quarter, subject to regulatory Every man, every woman who works for a living needs to “SNA (Severstal North America) has for 87 years before it was taken over by ing cash and debt assumption. approvals. The sale was announced in wake up and vote for Barack Obama for president so we can the size and strength to compete global- International Steel Group in 2003. ISG It also recently teamed up with the mid-August. start turning our country around – not only in jobs, but our ly and made commitments to the steel- sold to Mittal in 2005. Severstal is its USW to win a bidding war with Indian International Vice President Tom communities, education for our children and grandchildren, a workers at Sparrows Point that assures fourth owner. steelmaker Essar to purchase Esmark Conway said the USW has had a long- better environment for everyone. them a great future in making steel for International President Leo W. Inc., the parent of Wheeling-Pittsburgh standing relationship with both compa- John McCain is a hero as far as the war goes, but we’re the North American market,” said Gerard said the Severstal deal “demon- Steel Corp. Severstal, now the fourth- nies. “We look forward to working not electing a hero, we’re electing a president. I believe his District 1 Director David McCall, who strates that the USW and its members largest producer in the United States, with the new owners,’’ he added. philosophies are the same as those of George Bush and chairs the USW’s bargaining committee are the critical players in the continuing also owns the former Rouge Maneely, founded in 1877, employs anyone out there has to know we can’t have that for four more years. for ArcelorMittal in North America. consolidation and revitalization of about 1,600 people including its We should be way beyond the race issue. The issue is not race, it’s dedication to the Severstal agreed to grow the business Wheatland and Atlas tube divisions. people of our country. Take a look at Barack Obama’s results, his record up to this point and his forecast for the future. It’s there. and increase Plants are located in Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. Jim Bowen Carlyle voluntarily filed to have its Charleston, W.Va. ” sale of Maneely reviewed by the Retired District Director, Assistant to the President, Former President West Virginia AFL-CIO Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, a panel that seeks to I am supporting Barack Obama because he is going to work for protect certain U.S. national security “everyone, especially the working people and the less fortunate. interests. The Employee Free Choice Act, that’s very important. I’m on the Novolipetsk said its acquisition of organizing committee and too often employers intimidate employees, the pipe producer strengthens its posi- and we lose out. That’s a big issue with me. The economy is in shambles so we need help with that. And our tion in North America and gives it health care is another problem. Even though I am blessed to be a entry into “an important high end mar- steelworker, there are many others who are not covered. I feel ket.” Obama will be one to do something about that problem, and to bring Anti-subsidy tariffs up a living wage. Everyone needs to be able to earn a decent living. I respect John McCain for serving our country and his war The U.S. tubular market got a boost record, but I don’t think he’s in touch with us as far as the econo- this summer when the International my, health care and our Social Security. Trade Commission, acting on a case Our economy in Ohio is pretty bad. We have one of the highest (mortgage) foreclo- filed by domestic producers and the sure rates. We’re going door to door on block walks every week. We are trying to be a union, imposed anti-subsidy tariffs on blue state this time, and I think we have a good chance of doing it. unfairly traded imports of welded steel Susie Camper pipe from China. Local 1123, Canton, Ohio ” Novolipetsk has two other U.S. manufacturing facilities through a joint venture with Duferco Group - Duferco Farrell Corp. and Sharon Coating. Farrell supplies hot rolled coils to Sparrows Point mill Maneely’s Wheatland division.

22 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 23 eteran USW labor attorney commitment to excellence and fiery labor studies and a master’s degree in Richard J. Brean has been pro- belief in workers’ rights. “It is an enor- industrial relations. Vmoted to the post of general mous honor to be selected,’’ said Brean, Whitehead has been with the USW for counsel. who received a Bachelor of Arts in 28 years and its general counsel since Brean, 60, of Pittsburgh, succeeds History from Kenyon College, a Master 2001. His practice centered on labor, General Counsel Paul Whitehead, who in Public Affairs and Urban Planning benefits and bankruptcy law, as well as has accepted an appointment as a profes- from Princeton University’s Woodrow collective bargaining. sor of practice in labor studies, employ- Wilson School of Public and Inter- During his tenure as general counsel, ment relations and law at Penn State national Affairs and a Juris Doctor from the department has devoted its energies University’s main campus in State Harvard Law School. “I hope to be wor- to a wide variety of issues including tar- College, Pa. thy of the people who were in this seat iffs against unfair imports, legal support Brean, previously senior associate before me and live up to the standards set for union organizing, international soli- general counsel, will be responsible for by Bernie Kleiman and honor his memo- darity actions, pension and health care the legal affairs of the largest industrial ry.” issues and mergers, including the integra- union in North America. tion of the former PACE union into the “Rich Brean has clearly earned this Transition period USW. leadership position,” said International Brean and Whitehead are both mem- “It is a privilege to work for the President Leo W. Gerard, who bers of the Harvard Law School Class of Steelworkers,” Whitehead said. “I came announced the appointment in 1978 and have been career-long friends to the union thinking I’d stay a relatively September. and associates at the USW. They will short time, and then I got to know its In his new position, Brean will direct implement a transition plan for the legal people and its challenges and stayed for the labor movement’s most distinguished department over the coming months. 28 years. As much as I’ve wanted to legal department, oversee the work of Whitehead, 57, of Pittsburgh, grew up teach, it’s still hard to leave, and I’ll do outside law firms and work with manage- in Appleton, Wis., papermaking country. everything in my power to support Rich ment counterparts across a broad range In addition to Harvard Law School, he and a great legal of industries. graduated from the University of department.” efore a shutdown forced him out, But it wasn’t. In March, 2006, Gamesa imports and an energy crisis. Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in Jim Bauer spent 25 years working sent Bauer to Spain for three months of Asserting rights of workers as a USW member at U.S. Steel training in production techniques. He cur- Legislature created market B He applauded the Pennsylvania legis- Over the years, Brean has helped to Corp.’s massive Fairless Works near rently heads a team of USW members redirect a large part of the union’s legal Philadelphia. who build giant hubs for wind turbines. lature for requiring utilities to provide 18 resources from simply defending the Today, some six years later, Bauer Bauer’s transition into a new industry percent of the state’s energy from alterna- union in court cases to affirmatively works just 1,000 yards from the now building renewable power equipment tive and renewable sources by 2020. That asserting the union’s rights under the closed U.S. Steel plant for Gamesa USA, landed him on center stage at the created a market for alternative power National Labor Relations Act. a Spanish-owned company that builds Democratic National Convention in that attracted Gamesa. He has pursued several notable unfair wind turbines and develops wind energy Denver as part of a panel discussion on “Gamesa, hearing this information, labor practice cases against Ravenswood farms. And he’s again a USW member. energy independence and jobs. decided to build a plant in Pennsylvania Aluminum, Bridgestone-Firestone Tire Gamesa launched operations in He shared the stage in Denver’s Pepsi and revitalize a former steel mill and and Southwire, among others, where Pennsylvania in 2005 and now employs Center with Jim Rogers, the CEO of retool the company and put 1,100 people union members were restored to their roughly 1,200 workers at four plants in Duke Energy and a board member of the back to work,’’ Bauer said. “And we’re jobs with good contracts after being per- two locations. It negotiated its first con- Alliance to Save Energy; Aimee on close to 500 machines now and thriv- manently replaced or locked out of their tract with the USW in 2007. Christensen, an energy advisor who ing. And they intend to progress even far- jobs. American Rights at Work, a leading worked with the Clinton administration; ther and make more jobs.” “That work has been crucial to our advocacy organization, honored Gamesa and Jerome Ringo, president of the The panel’s moderator, Michigan Gov. winning contract settlements in some of this summer with its fourth annual Apollo Alliance, a coalition of labor and Jennifer Granholm, asked Bauer about his our biggest disputes over the past three “Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights environment groups promoting energy pay. “We’re making good money,’’ Bauer decades,” Gerard said. Award” for its partnership with the union. independence and jobs. replied, “And with the help of the United Brean is the union’s eighth general Rogers called for the nation to Steelworkers and Gamesa, we intend to counsel in 66 years. His predecessors Renewable power equipment embrace energy efficiency and make it a keep it going.” include Arthur Goldberg, a former After the U.S. Steel closure forced him key part of our economic strategy going into early retirement, Bauer attended Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, left, leads Supreme Court Justice who was forward. Efficiency, he said, will create a panel on the economy at the Democratic Secretary of Labor under President John computer school. One day he saw a help- jobs. National Convention. The panelists are left to F. Kennedy; and the late Bernie Kleiman, wanted ad that offered travel abroad and Asked to tell his story, Bauer told the right, Jim Rogers, Jim Bauer, Aimee who served as general counsel from 1965 a high-paying job in a new venture. convention that he worked for U.S. Steel Christensen and Jerome Ringo. through 1997 and was well known for his Paul Whitehead, left, and He initially thought the ad was a hoax. Page One Photo Richard Brean for 25 years and lost his job to foreign Photo by Steve Dietz 24 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 25 efore and after work, and on program called “My Vote, My Right.” weekends and holidays, you’ll The program seeks to ensure votes Bfind USW member Dennis cast at the ballot box are properly Barker of Illinois registering fellow counted. members to vote or talking about the importance of issues such as the right Make all votes count for workers to organize. “This election is too important and In Michigan and other battleground the stakes too high to let any vote go states, the USW is among the unions uncounted. Our union is working to he labor and environmental move- “It was the coming together of people to fill seats in theaters during the film’s Charlotte, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, working on a voter protection program ments haven’t always seen eye to interested in economic and social jus- opening weeks. If the opening theaters Houston, Madison, Milwaukee, that aims to make sure no one is Teye. But that began to change in tice, interested in the environment and are packed, the film will get national Nashville, Philadelphia, Plano, Texas, wrongly denied the right to 1999 when tens of thousands of demon- the anti-poverty movement, all the social distribution and hopefully turn on a new Portland, San Antonio, San Jose, Santa vote and that every vote is strators converged on Seattle in protest justice movements.” generation of young people to the power Barbara and Santa Cruz. counted on Election Day of the World Trade Organization. You can further spread the word by of activism. If the film is still playing at theaters this November. Labor unions – led by large contin- promoting Battle in Seattle, a new inde- “Hollywood is a conservative place. near you by the time this magazine is These are just a few gents of Steelworkers and Teamsters – pendent film dramatizing the civil dis- It was a risky project,’’ Townsend said. delivered, we hope you will see it. If examples of the nonpartisan joined hands in the streets with farmers, obedience that in 1999 shut down the “It’s been difficult to work within that not, we are working with the studio on a election activities environmentalists, consumer and human first WTO ministerial conference to be system, but in a sense, this film should special USW edition of a DVD to be underway by USW rights advocates and students to bring held on American soil. be sold grass roots. It was a grass-roots made available at a later date. members across the attention to the destructive trading rules event in the first place. It would be nice Gerard, a featured speaker at the Stuart Townsend directed nation. imposed by the WTO on the world’s to make this film a success in a grass- Denver preview, called Townsend, the “We try to stay democracies. Directed by Irish actor Stuart roots kind of way.” director, courageous for making the Townsend, the dramatized account active locally as well as “Environmentalists and trade union- film. Battle in Seattle, he said, is a pow- nationally,” Barker said. ists started to understand that the people plunges you into the street melee while Movie opened Sept. 19 erful, cost-effective education tool. Dennis Barker, right, “It really makes a dif- explains the EFCA telling a fictional story revolving around The movie opened on Sept. 19 in “It is so important to show what hap- who tell us you can’t have good wages ference when you talk card to Lee Baker of and a good pension are the same people a policeman (Woody Harrelson), whose New York, San Francisco, Washington, pened in Seattle, to show the police Local 1899. pregnant wife Ella (Charlize Theron) is D.C., Seattle and San Rafael, Ca., and to fellow members who tell us you can’t have a good job overreaction, to show people really put about these issues.” and a clean environment,’’ said struck in the stomach with a police on Sept. 28 in Boston, Chicago, their lives on the line – kids, mill work- International President Leo W. Gerard. baton during the protests. Columbus, Detroit, Los Angeles and ers, environmentalists, anti-poverty Making “In fact, if you don’t have both, you’ll “What I think people really feel when Pittsburgh. workers, farmers, all came together to a difference have neither.” they see this film is that your humanity Early October show- expose what the WTO does and to As the Rapid is moved,” Theron told a preview audi- ings were sched- actually say there can Seattle was catalyst Response coordinator ence at the Democratic National uled for Austin, be a better way.” for the 1,450-member Seattle was a catalyst in the subse- Convention in Denver. “You are moved Locals 68 and 1899, quent formation of the Blue Green because the human condition is we all Barker has seen first-hand the differ- ensure all votes are properly counted. Alliance between the USW and the want what’s fair. When we get together ence such efforts make. Besides voter This is important to all Americans, but Sierra Club, and the Apollo Alliance, a and we do that, I think it is really power- registration and pushing the Employee especially to those in communities coalition of business, labor, environmen- ful.” Free Choice Act, Rapid Response is where there is a history of repeated tal and community leaders working to Led by the USW, labor, environ- providing members with comparisons failings and manipulation of our elec- promote clean energy products and ser- mental and other activists are trying of candidates on key issues such as tion system,” said International Vice vices and the green jobs that they would health care and trade, and will help get President Fred Redmond, who is over- create. members to the polls on Election Day. seeing the Steelworkers participation “Six years ago, when we created the “I’ve seen such change over the in the election protection program. Apollo Alliance, you couldn’t get peo- years,” Barker said in between get- The program provides an online ple in a room to talk about renewable ting members at a U.S. Steel plant tool kit to help voters understand their energy,” Gerard said. “This year, it’s gate to sign cards supporting the rights (www.myvotemyright.org), at the top of the (political) agenda. Employee Free Choice Act and explains sometimes complicated vot- We started that in Seattle.” making sure members’ voter registra- ing rules in simple language and has In Gerard’s view, the tions were updated. established a national hotline, protests were an opportuni- “When I first started, when some- 1-866-OUR-VOTE. ty to “overturn the rock” one got up at a meeting and talked For more information, visit our new and expose to the world a politics, you saw a lot of eyes rolling. interactive political section at global trading system that But now, since we do it all the time www.usw.org/action_center/political, has made rich people and focus on bills and actions that e-mail [email protected], or call richer and poor people Battle in Seattle director affect them, it gets their attention.” 1-800-952-2550. poorer. Stuart Townsend The USW also is participating in an “It was an event I’ll Photos by Steve Dietz AFL-CIO voting rights protection remember for the rest of my life,’’ he said.

26 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 27 he United Steelworkers has He was prosecuted by the Mexican launched a campaign calling for government after he publicly protested Tlocal unions in the United States the deaths in 2006 of 65 miners at Grupo and Canada to adopt striking families at a Mexico's Pasta de Conchos mine in hen Donnie Edwards was a development. We have also assisted should use some of the $6 billion it is copper ore mine in Mexico. Coahuila state, calling their deaths cash-starved all-America other campus groups, including United earning from CBS for basketball televi- More than 3,000 workers have been "industrial homicide." After his life was linebacker at UCLA, he told Students Against Sweatshops. sion rights to increase assistance to stu- Here are some of the major goals of the on strike for over a year in Mexico at the threatened, the USW helped him and his W a radio interviewer that he didn’t have The association formed by those dent athletes instead of padding execu- NCPA: Cananea copper ore mine owned by family escape to Canada. enough money to eat. UCLA football players, now called the tive salaries. • Raise scholarship amounts. The NCAA Grupo Mexico, an industrial conglomer- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police After that broadcast, a sports agent National College Players Association So far, the NCPA has successfully admits that a "full scholarship" does not ate based in Mexico City. are investigating a new death threat. The delivered a few bags of groceries to (NCPA), has grown into a powerful pressured the NCAA into implementing cover basic necessities for college athletes, "Grupo Mexico and the Mexican gov- Mexican government is continuing to Edwards’ apartment. When the National advocacy group for college athletes key safety guidelines and financial but it refuses to allow schools to increase ernment will soon find that the USW will refile charges, despite the failure of all Collegiate Athletic Association across the nation with thousands of improvements. Those successes include the amount. not go away," said Gerald Fernandez, previous cases against Gomez. These (NCAA), which requires student ath- members. eliminating limits on medical coverage, • Secure health coverage for all sports- USW director of international affairs and charges prevent him from returning to letes to be “amateurs,” found out, increasing scholarship money players related workouts. The NCAA does not strategic campaigns. "Steelworkers do lead Los Mineros because he would be Edwards was suspended. USW a positive force receive, eliminating a salary cap on require schools to cover all sports-related not back down and will support their imprisoned upon re-entering the country. The suspension pushed Ramogi “The USW has been nothing but a earnings from part-time jobs and injuries. brothers and sisters, as they supported us, "The persecution of this legitimate and Huma, another Bruins linebacker, to positive force for our organization,’’ increasing the NCAA death benefit. • Increase graduation rates. The gradua- as long as it takes." innocent labor leader must end," said start talking to fellow athletes about Huma said. “The Steelworkers helped tion rate for Division I football players hov- The USW and the Mining and Ken Neumann, USW national director how they could stand up for Edwards us get organized and that’s when we Class action lawsuit ers around 50 percent while men's basket- Metalworkers Union of Mexico (Los for Canada, who helped Mr. Gomez and and gain a voice in a system that started to get off the ground.” The NCPA recently won a huge vic- ball players graduate at about 40 percent Mineros) formed a strategic alliance after his wife secure work papers, enabling behaves like a big business. Tim Waters, director of the USW’s tory. It helped secure a settlement of a • Mandate that universities grant com- Los Mineros provided crucial support in them to remain in Canada. A short while later, Huma and other Rapid Response program, said the federal class action lawsuit against the plete scholarships. The NCAA only allows 2005 to steelworkers striking ASARCO, "It is clear that Mexico has no inten- players were startled to learn that the USW got involved because the union’s NCAA on behalf of college athletes. one-year scholarships that a university can then owned by Grupo Mexico. tion of actually prosecuting him when it NCAA prohibited schools from paying philosophy is to help workers who are Athletes work hard for scholarships refuse to renew for any reason. Labor relations at ASARCO’s mines has not made any effort in two years to for medical expenses if a player was exploited no matter the venue. that fail to cover all of the costs of a • Prohibit universities from reducing or and plants in Arizona and Texas were extradite him. And it has not done that injured during certain team workouts. “We give them organizing advice, student’s education, falling nearly eliminating scholarships due to injury. marked by almost constant strife in the because it has not one shred of real evi- “Our jaws dropped,” Huma recalled. strategic development assistance, legal $3,000 short every year, even though • Establish and enforce uniform safety six years (1999 – 2005) when Grupo dence against him," Neumann added. “Players were really upset. When you advice and some financial help,’’ recruits and parents are promised “full” guidelines to help prevent athlete deaths. Mexico controlled the company, which is Fernandez said the Mexican govern- get recruited, all the schools promised Waters said. “We are proud of their scholarships, Huma said. This spurred • Eliminate restrictions on legitimate now operating under bankruptcy court ment is unabashedly backing Grupo that if you get hurt, your medical development. They are making con- the lawsuit. employment. College athletes should have supervision. Grupo Mexico is seeking Mexico and its billionaire CEO German expenses would be paid.” crete improvements in the lives of hard- Preliminary reports indicate the set- the same rights as other students. through the courts to regain control, a Larrea at Cananea in an effort to break working athletes across the U.S.” tlement will provide a minimum of move the USW opposes. up Los Mineros during Mr. Gomez's Without basic protections Waters said he found it shocking that $445 million to schools for athletes’ In addition to the family adoptions, absence from the country. That is why it By the end of his freshman year, an athlete could get hurt on the practice benefits. the USW will continue to provide safe is so important to the USW to support Huma realized that despite the billions field and not be covered by health The NCPA is now organizing haven in Canada for Napoleon Gomez, the Cananea families, he explained. of dollars that college athletes generate insurance. “The NCAA has done a student athletes nationwide to the exiled leader of Los Mineros, which Steelworkers donated for their schools, NCAA rules leave masterful job at hiding these realities apply for this money. The represents the Cananea workers. more than $30,000 for the athletes without basic protections. from the public,” Waters said. USW continues to assist. The government of strikers at Cananea during Edwards, of course, no longer needs The NCPA contends that the NCAA Mexico improperly removed the USW convention in Las student aid. He has a contract with the Gomez from his position as Vegas in July. Locals now Kansas City Chiefs reportedly worth Los Mineros general secre- will make monthly dona- $13.5 million. But his success is unusu- The help of the tary on charges that tions that will go to help al. Less than one out of every 100 col- were proven in support Cananea families for lege football and basketball athletes Steelworkers has Mexican courts to the duration of play professionally. “been crucial to every have been trumped up. the strike. Huma decided to form a student group to allow college athletes to voice single victory we’ve concerns and change certain NCAA had and every benefit rules. To assist in this organizing cam- paign, he and his allies contacted the college athletes have USW. secured. After learning of their situation, we decided to help with strategic Ramogi Huma

Federal police officers stand on guard at the copper mine in Cananea. AP Photo/Guillermo Arias advice and national ”

28 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 29 AP Photo/Guillermo Arias Department of Justice Objects to Grupo Mexico he USW praised the Department of Justice and the Attorneys General of nine states for forcefully opposing the effort of Grupo TMexico to regain control of ASARCO, the U.S. copper company. NewsNews BytesBytes In a Sept. 12 filing with the bankruptcy court, the DOJ and the nine co-signing states urged the court to give no further considera- tion to Grupo Mexico’s proposed plan of reorganization for Winning Back Voters ASARCO and instead go forward with ASARCO’s competing plan he AFL-CIO and its community affiliate, Working America, are engaged in a mail at confirmation hearings scheduled for November. Tcampaign to win back Democrats who in the past supported Republicans Ronald “We are pleased to see the Department of Justice and the nine Reagan and George W. Bush. states’ stance and their efforts to hold Grupo Mexico accountable for Campaign literature mailed to 1.5 million households features testimonials from its outrageous conduct,” said District 12 Director Terry Bonds. workers, including a school bus driver and Marine veteran. The mailer was aimed at Grupo Mexico controlled ASARCO for six years beginning in 270,000 households in the swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, and to 1999, a period of almost constant labor strife, but has been pushed another 1.3 million union households in those states and across the country. aside in the bankruptcy process. "This is a new front in the effort to reach working-class moderates on the pocketbook The USW and many local politicians support an alternative acquisition bid by Sterlite Industries, Ltd., one of India’s largest Court Approves issues that are critical to them this election year," said Karen Nussbaum, executive direc- mining companies and a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources PLC. Goodyear VEBA tor of Working America. Sterlite and the USW have agreed to a three-year contract extension should the company succeed in its $2.6 billion bid for the federal court has approved a bankrupt copper producer. $1 billion Voluntary Employees Blaze Destroys Sudbury Hall ABeneficiary Association (VEBA) trust blaze declared suspicious by fire marshals has destroyed the United Steelworkers Becker Harley Raffle Winner fund established as part of the settlement hall in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. istrict 1 Assistant Director Dave Caldwell and Contract Coordinator that ended an 86-day strike in 2006 at AThe September fire forced the demolition of the building, a landmark in Sudbury, the Sherman Crowder join Director Dave McCall in presenting Sandra Goodyear. hometown of International President Leo W. Gerard. DForrer, of Local 1-150 in Ohio, with a $20,000 check, her prize for winning a As a result of the ruling, the trust “This is one of the most important union halls in our union and certainly one of the raffle sponsored by the George Becker Leadership Development Fund. fund will be removed from Goodyear’s most important halls in this community,” Gerard said. “Next to losing a family member, The raffle offered former International President Becker’s 2001 Harley- hands and taken over by independent this has been one of the most traumatic events in my life.” Davidson Ultra Classic, a fiduciaries with expertise in health care Police set up an arson task force and the USW, both the International and local 2008 Harley-Davidson benefits. unions, donated cash towards a time-limited reward fund of $15,000. Ultra Classic or $20,000. “This decision confirms the victory Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser said the loss of the USW union hall is a Second prize of round we achieved as a result of the work stop- tragedy, not just for the union, but for the community that has used it for banquets, wed- trip airline tickets to any- page,” said International President Leo dings, town meetings, and thousands of other events since 1965. No one was injured, where in the U.S. or W. Gerard. “Retirees who spent their but records, photos and historical memorabilia were lost. Canada was won by Gary working lives employed at Goodyear The union will do everything possible to replace the hall for the benefit of members Fisher from Local 5696 in Photo by Rich Prete can now be assured that funding for and the community, he said. Massachusetts. George health insurance and prescription drug “I am brokenhearted by this loss,” Fraser added. “A large part of the history of Elmore from Local 627 in coverage is protected and cannot be Sudbury and the United Steelworkers has literally gone up in smoke.” USW’s Mike Wright Honored South Carolina won the taken away from them.” Photo by Pete Whittington SW Health, Safety & Environment Director third prize of $500. (The The class action lawsuit was brought Mike Wright has been named among the 50 Harley in the picture by the USW and two Goodyear retirees. Umost influential leaders in workplace health and belongs to McCall.) It challenged the company’s right to safety by the editors of Occupational Hazards reduce or terminate health care benefits magazine. for retirees. The leaders on the list were cited for having Saint Gobain Settlement The union will not operate the fund the most significant impact on health and safety in SW members at Saint Gobain Container facilities across the country but will appoint three of the nine trustees the workplace over the last 10 years. Those listed have a new five-year labor agreement that increases wages and retains who will oversee it. Goodyear will have include legislators, government appointees, union Ukey union-won benefits. no appointments. environmental health and safety leaders, acade- The agreement covers 146 members at 14 different locations. “Trustees of the fund and the fund’s mics, workers’ advocates and others. Crucial to the settlement was the support and solidarity provided by the management will be working strictly on “They all have one thing in common: Through local union membership. In addition, the Glass, Molders, Pottery & behalf of Goodyear’s retirees,” said Ron their work, their mentoring, their lecturing, their Plastics Workers International Union (GMP), stood shoulder to shoulder Hoover, an executive vice president in lawmaking, their research, their administration or with USW members in the contract fight at many of the plant locations. charge of the USW’s Rubber and Plastic their advocacy, they have had a strong and lasting “USW members at St. Gobain want to extend a special thanks and well Industry Conference (R/PIC). impact on environmental health and safety in the wishes to the GMP and its membership for helping to bring about this workplace,” the magazine said. important union victory,” said USW Glass Chairman Tim Tuttle. USW Member Wins Hunting Trip Wright, 61, has led the Health, Safety & Even though the new agreement is ratified, Tuttle said the union will USW member from Pennsylvania has been chosen to participate in Escape to the Wild, a television show sponsored by the Environment Department since 1984. continue to pursue through the National Labor Relations Board allegations Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, its trade union partners in the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance and Versus Network. Occupational Hazards cited his work in work- of unfair labor practices related to the negotiations. “By doing this, we AThe program honors hard-working union members with the hunting or fishing trip of a lifetime. Michael McCormick, a member of place hazard communication, risk communication, hope to improve the bargaining atmosphere in future negotiations with Local 10-901, won a “dream moose hunt in Canada.” His experiences will be filmed and shown at a future date on Escape to the Wild. industrial hygiene and occupational and environ- company representatives,’’ he said.

30 fall 2008 • USW@Work mental health. USW@Work • fall 2008 31 USEC Inc. is developing its American Court Approves Continental Tire VEBA China Tire Duties Protect U.S. Jobs Centrifuge plant in Piketon, Ohio. IEB Takes Action on federal judge has approved a settlement to a class action late summer determination by the U.S. International Trade AP Photo/Al Behrman lawsuit that sets up a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Commission secured USW jobs by placing anti-subsidy and Resolutions Referred AAssociation (VEBA) to provide health benefits for retirees of Aanti-dumping duties on pneumatic off-the-road (OTR) tire imports by Convention Continental Tire North America. from China. he International Executive The lawsuit arose out of Continental Tire’s announcement Chinese imports of OTR tires surged by 75 percent from 2004 Board (IEB) has created a com- that it would implement a $3,000 cap on its contributions to to 2007, jumping from about 1.8 million tires to 3.2 million last Tmittee to study and make recom- the costs of retiree health care coverage beginning in 2007, and year. Lost jobs, production and shipments from U.S. tire plants mendations on programs that its assertions that it was entitled to reduce or even terminate were the direct result of those illegal imports. could be implemented to provide a those benefits altogether at any time. International President Leo W. Gerard said the decision proves greater level of service to laid-off The court ruled that Continental Tire did not have the right China cheats. The U.S. Commerce Department determined that the members. to reduce or terminate benefits. The court did not rule on the Chinese government unfairly subsidized its manufacturers. USW Uranium Jobs Protected The action came on one of 23 ore than 1,300 USW jobs at commercial enrichment plants in the United States were resolutions received from local appropriate amount of damages and Continental agreed to a “This case shows the importance of vigorous enforcement of protected when Congress acted to limit the amount of cheap commercial grade uranium settlement after extended negotiations. our trade laws as a first line of defense against unfair trade prac- M unions that were referred to the that can be shipped here from Russia. IEB by the 2008 Constitutional With the Sept. 24 approval of U.S. District Judge Jack tices that harm American industries and jobs,” Gerard said. The legislation, approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in late September, pre- Zouhary, the VEBA trust fund expects to take responsibility for The original trade case was jointly filed by the USW and Titan Convention, held in Las Vegas this vents Russia from taking over the U.S. market by limiting its future market share for com- summer. the health care coverage on Jan. 1, 2009. Tire Corp. in June, 2007. Titan production plants employ about mercial-grade uranium to 20 percent of total electricity demand. Continental Tire will make payments to the VEBA that are 1,355 workers in Des Moines, Iowa; Freeport, Ill.; and Bryan, The resolution on aiding local “The United States is dangerously dependent on cheap Russian commercial uranium to union members when their plants worth $158 million in today’s dollars. The VEBA will be run Ohio. fulfill our electricity demands. That overdependence has put our workers and industry in by an independent committee. Continental Tire will have no “We are proud of fighting for trade fairness with Titan Tire, and shut down focused on steps that serious jeopardy,” International President Leo W. Gerard said. could be taken in the collective role in its operations. we believe American tire workers will now have a measure of “I am very pleased the Democratic Congress – working in a bipartisan fashion – stood up future job security – at least those who make OTR tires,” said bargaining process such as to Russia to keep these good-paying, middle-class jobs here in America.” improved supplemental unem- Kleiman Endowment International Vice President Ron Hoover, who leads the union’s The limitations protect jobs at commercial enrichment plants in Paducah, Ky., and n memory of the late USW Special rubber industry bargaining. ployment benefits, better early Piketon, Ohio, owned by United States Enrichment Corp. The fuel supplier is also building a retirement benefits, extended Counsel Bernard Kleiman, his son In addition to Titan, the USW represents 4,215 workers who new American Centrifuge plant at Piketon. IDavid Kleiman is endowing a summer make OTR tires at Bridgestone-Firestone in Des Moines and health care and longer advanced “The uranium enrichment industry is vital to securing our energy independence, “Gerard notification of the shutdown itself. internship for students from Northwestern Bloomington, Ill., Denman Tire in Leavittsburg, Ohio; and said. “Without this federal legislation, these high-skilled, family supportive jobs would be University School of Law. Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Topeka, Kan., and Buffalo, N.Y. In a summary of resolution going to Russia.” actions, the IEB said it created the The fund will provide an annual sum- Local 745 President Steven Vanderheyden, a maintenance work- The new plant in Piketon, reported to be the world's most efficient uranium enrichment mer internship stipend of at least $4,000 er at Titan’s OTR factory in Freeport, said the trade enforcement committee because it “also technology, will create hundreds of new USW jobs. It's expected to be fully operational by believes that greater attention to in-need law students attending action should shore up job security in the industry. 2012. Northwestern, with a preference going to “Building the large tires for agricultural and mining equipment should be given to the needs of students who secure summer internships with the USW, other is physically heavy and demanding, but if fair trade laws are fol- members when their plants are labor organizations or public interest organizations. lowed, we can compete,” Vanderheyden said. Cleveland Cliffs Contract Reached shut down.” The IEB also com- he USW has negotiated tentative four-year contract agreements with Cleveland Cliffs, a mended the measures to district mining company employing some 2,500 USW members in Minnesota and Michigan. directors and staff primarily T The agreement was called “the best contract we’ve ever negotiated for iron ore miners” by responsible for negotiations. District 11 Director Bob Bratulich. A total of 23 resolutions sub- “It follows the economic pattern established in recent negotiations with U.S. Steel and mitted by local unions were ArcelorMittal,” he said. “And for the first time, we were successful in removing the cap on referred to the IEB by the conven- retirees’ health care.” tion. Due to duplicative subject More specific details were withheld pending ratification votes scheduled in early October matter, they were consolidated covering four separate units at Hibbing Taconite and United Taconite in Minnesota and the into a list of eight items that were Empire and Tilden mines in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Voting results were unavailable at listed in Policy Resolution No. 26. press time. The resolution covers such items as veterans’ committees, Pentagon Delays Tanker Competition local union bargaining commit- he Pentagon has canceled a $40 billion competition to buy aerial refueling tankers made tees, hiring of temporary and casu- controversial by John McCain’s key role in previously awarding the contract to a al staff, temporary reimbursement TEuropean-led consortium over U.S.-producer Boeing. of causal staff, servicing staff and The decision delays the competition between Boeing and a joint venture of the European a pulp and paper council. Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS), the parent of Europe’s Airbus, and Northrup A full copy of the report, Grummon, until a new presidential administration. Resolutions Referred to the Although the decision was a blow to EADS, Boeing faces the prospect that McCain, a International Executive Board, is strong proponent of trade deals and a key Boeing critic, could be president when the matter available on the USW’s Web site, is decided. www.usw.org/convention. Click Hanging in the balance are 44,000 American jobs that could be outsourced if the work on the Convention Resolutions Local 983 members from International Paper’s Augusta, Ga., mill display their pride in our union by wear- goes to the EADS, which has been criticized for using billions of dollars in anti-competitive graphic on the right side of the ing USW T-shirts at a local union meeting. subsidies from the European Union to finance their tanker aircraft. page.

32 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 33 Obama meets USW members at a U.S. Steel plant in Braddock, Pa. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

34 fall 2008 • USW@Work USW@Work • fall 2008 35