THE I.S.U. UPDATE

President’s Corner
By: Mark Glyptis

As you are probably already aware, Weirton Steel reported a loss of $26.2 million in their third quarter report. This is compared to a $13.6 million loss in the third quarter 1999. Included in these results are a $5.5 million loss for a non-collectible account (Turner Steel), and $6 million for losses associated with GalvPro due to market and start-up conditions. WebCo reported a $1.1 million profit for this period. Excluding these charges, the loss for the third quarter would have been $16.8 million.
Although we realize there have been difficulties in the steel industry and we will continually face struggles due to the illegal imports, the Executive Committee and I are maintaining our tunnel vision to negotiate a fair labor contract for you. We continue to work with our health care and pension specialists to prepare our demands.
Staying united through these difficult times is very important. We will not allow the Company to divide this Union and lose our focus of representing you.
Please send any final requests for contract demands to the I.S.U. Hall by Friday, November 10, 2000.
Management has notified us that during the week of Thanksgiving that the only areas to be operating will be Primary and the Hot Mill. For the week of Christmas, Primary will be the only operating area.
There will be some supporting services, such as, fire watch, maintenance, etc., in specific areas. As always, this information from Management, is subject to change.

One Member’s Opinion
By: Bill Trimmer (S.S. Millwright)

After thinking about the hard times that Weirton Steel is going through, I thought that I would send the following e-mail to Mr. Walker and Mr. Riederer:
During discussions about the hard times that Weirton Steel is going through, the question was raised as to whether or not our management had taken any type of pay cuts? We on the mill floor have had our Sunday work and overtime work either taken from us or drastically decreased. Since we are all in this together, it would be a great gesture on the part of management and the Board if they would forego a portion of their pay.
Mr. Riederer took the time out from his schedule to answer:

Mr. Trimmer:

Thank you for your note. The steel industry is seeing "hard times" and we are aware of the sacrifices being made. I have, and will continue, to work overtime and Saturdays and Sundays without overtime pay.

Dick Riederer

As of yet, Mr. Walker has not responded.

The majority of us employed here can remember the number of sacrifices made in the name of ESOP. We did this to preserve our jobs. Since this time, there has been what I can see a growing sense of contempt and arrogance against bargaining unit employees from upper management and the Board. I believe the reply and lack of one indicate that.

Employee Involvement & Ergonomics
By: Dan Olexia, Logistics Facilitator

The days of sore backs and shoulders are a thing of the past at the River Docks. An Ergonomics Team consisting of T. Black, L. Gaich, N. Morris, J. Carson, H. Volamore, L. Nichols, and J. Cybulski, with cooperation from the Logistics Core Team and Engineering have purchased a roto-hook (swivel) for the dock crane. For many years, all the coils for the docks and barges have been manually guided into position. "These are changes that will result in better working conditions for our members," stated Ron Dodd, Vice Chairman, Steel Works 1 Division.

BLOOD BANK WINNERS

Congratulations to the following winners of Blood Bank certificates ($200 each) for the Sept. 14th Blood Drive:

Duane Fluharty
Richard Ivaun
Dana Ohalek

The next blood drive is scheduled for December 7, 2000. Please make every attempt to donate. Thank you for your participation.

Golf and Safety golfclp.jpg (61518 bytes)

It has come to our attention that employees, while working at B Lagoon-Outfall, have come under attack by golf balls. It appears that golfers at Williams Country Club are practicing, by hitting balls towards the river, rather than enjoying the view. We didn’t realize golf balls would become a safety hazard in the mill.

Weirton Steel Softball Team
By: Joe Magnone

It was a stellar year for the WS Softball Team. The men entered 3 tournaments and placed in the top 4 of all of them while placing second in a summer league. They placed 4th in the West Virginia State Corporate Qualifier held in Parkersburg and was invited to the Corporate Worlds in Atlanta, GA. This team placed 2nd in a tournament in Massilon, OH, and also placed 2nd in their division which earned bids to 4 major tournaments throughout the country. The members of WSC’s team were: D. Elliott, J. Miller, C. Martino, V. Thompson, D. Haught, B. Marino, P. Molchan, W. Campbell, J. Magnone, H. Burdette, D. McWhorter, J. Crago, D. Costello, P. Miotlowski, G. McGowan, T. Golanka, K. Thompson, L. Jones, T. Boyce, and M. Merrin.
The general consensus for the team is simply this, "they love the game of softball, and to be able to represent WSC is an added bonus."

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of previous ISU Updates,
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