THE I.S.U. UPDATE

AK Contract

Members of the Armco Employees Independent Federation recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new 76 month contract with AK Steel Corporation.
The new labor agreement includes an immediate 50 cents an hour raise and a total wage increase of $2.50 during the lifetime of the contract.
A $2000 bonus-signing bonus and a $1000 bonus in the year 2005 were also included in the agreement.
The new contract does call for improved pension benefits and guaranteed overtime for trade and craft employees.
Earlier this year, union members had rejected a proposed contract forcing negotiations back to the bargaining table.

Thanks to all of the December I.S.U. Blood Bank participants. It was a great response and we hope to see you again in February.

Coke Plant Physical

Former Coke Plant employees may soon be receiving letters from the company advising them of required OSHA physicals.
That’s if union officials prevail in convincing the company the OSHA physicals are a necessity.
According to Steel Works No. 1 Vice-Chairman Ronnie Dodd, the OSHA physicals were always a requirement for employees who worked in the Coke Plant during its operation.
Dodd said the OSHA physicals included blood and urine testing because of the various chemicals and substances used in the operation of the Coke Plant.
"These physicals are very important to anyone who worked on the mainland or Browns’ Island when the Coke Plant was running. They are a good idea for our own protection now and in the future, "Dodd explained.
The Union has notified the company of the need for the annual physicals for all former Coke Plant employees.

No To Voinovich

Approximately 35 members of the Independent Steelworkers Union peacefully picketed the Jefferson County Courthouse in Steubenville recently to protest Ohio Senator George Voinovich.
The junior senator from Ohio has sent a district representative to the Courthouse to hold open house hours in Jefferson County.
The I.S.U. pickets were joined by several officials from United Steelworkers of America Local 1190 for the 90-minute protest.
Several union members met with the Voinovich staff representative to question the senator’s lack of support for American steelworkers.
Why is Voinovich the only senator in the tri-state area to vote against all steel legislation and why is he supporting illegal dumping of foreign steel was the message hammered home.
The staff representative could not defend the Voinovich position other than to offer copies of Voinovich speeches.
Following the Voinovich protest, several members of the Executive Committee and President Mark Glyptis met with Lynne Crow of Ohio Senator Mike DeWine’s office to express thanks to the senator for his support for the "Stand Up For Steel" campaign.

Over Age 65

I.S.U. Benefits Coordinator John Balzano is continuing to explore several options for our age 65 Weirton Steel and National Steel retirees faced with escalating Major Medical insurance costs.
Balzano is still discussing the problems with our legislation in Washington, D.C. as well as the United Steelworkers of America International and Blue Cross officials.
The substantial increase in major medical costs is scheduled to take place January 1 and Balzano said the increase most likely would occur.
"But we will continue to work very hard on this issue in order to seek relief for their retirees," Balzano said.

In The News

Jennifer Johnson Van Gibler, daughter of Boiler House Operator Bill Johnson, recently received her Ph.D. in Economics from Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York.
Jennifer received her BA degree in Economics and her BS degree in Mathematics in 1994 from Bethany College where she graduated number one in her class. She was awarded her doctorate in Economics after completing five years of research and teaching.
Jennifer is married to Douglas Van Gilder of Wellsburg and is currently employed as a post-doctorate at Binghamton University.
She is the daughter of Bill and Diane Johnson of Weirton.

Editor’s Note: If you or a family member would like to be in the I.S.U. Update for recent accomplishments, please send the information to Dave Gossett at the Union Hall.

Uniform Change

The company has changed uniform companies for the ban-wear clothing.
Unifirst will continue supplying the regular cotton uniform but Cintas will now supply the flame-retardant ban-wear uniforms.
Cintas is now in the process of measuring employees clothing size and should have their clothing and lockers in place next month.
Cintas has agreed to post signs with their office number in case of problems.

Byrd Bill Update

We still await word from senior executive management on the fate of Weirton Steel’s application for the Steel, Oil and Gas Loan Guarantee program.
As we go to press, the deadline for applying for up to $250 million dollars in government backed loans is December 31.
And as we go to press, Weirton Steel is working on its application for the program.

Don’t Forget!

As we celebrate our holidays in the coming days, let us not forget our union brothers and sisters in need this season.
We still have approximately 115 hourly and salary non-exempt employees on lay-off status.
Union Hall office manager Jim Andreozzi is continuing to collect financial donations for the I.S.U. Food Fund.
But we should also keep our union brothers and sisters in our thoughts and prayers during the holidays.
They may be waiting patiently to return to work as they try to make ends meet on a minimum wage job.
They may have a sick child.
They may be feeling a little down during the holidays after more than a year on lay-off.
Financial donations may be dropped off at the Union Hall.
Don’t forget your union brothers and sisters at this time of the year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE STAFF OF THE I.S.U. UPDATE AND THE UNION HALL

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