THE I.S.U. UPDATE

Two of our Tin Mill union members came to the rescue of a union brother in distress recently.
Rich Hirkala identified a quality problem on the plater line and began to sand the bottom roll.
He fell off-balance and automatically put out his right hand in order to steady himself. Unfortunately, his hand hit the roll and was pulled through the pinch rolls and suffered major injuries to his arm.
Union brothers Charlie Poole and Mark Fancalski came to the accident and placed compresses on his arm in order to stop the bleeding. Poole then left to call for an ambulance while Fancalski used his belt as a tourniquet until emergency personnel arrived on the scene.
It was later determined Hirkala suffered a severed artery as well as muscle injuries. He is now recuperating at home.
The I.S.U. recognizes Charlie Poole and Mark Fancalski for their efforts in helping a union brother in trouble.

The Vote Is In The Mail

The special election to fill the steward position in the Strip Steel department, formerly held by Ed Conley is nearing completion.
Ballots can be returned by mail through Monday, February 7, 2000.
The ballots are being mailed to the U.S. Post Office and will be counted on Tuesday, February 8, 2000 by the Certified Public Accountants firm of Wallace, Padden and Company of Steubenville.
The results will be posted at the Union Hall February 8, 2000.

One Year Later

It was one year ago on January 20^th when nearly 6,000 Ohio Valley residents pulled into the parking lots in Washington, D.C. in order to speak our minds.
We rallied, we marched, we chanted and yelled. But most important of all, we made a difference.
It has been a difficult year filled with additional mini-rallies and intensive lobbying efforts in the halls of Congress.
Orders are up again as the government slowly and almost reluctantly comes to grips with the illegal steel imports.
Both blast furnaces are operating at full capacity and our people, for the most part, are back to work.
But we should not grow content and lazy with our efforts.
The steel industry in this country remains under attack from foreign steelmakers ready to drop cheap illegal steel into our market in order to protect their own economies.
So while we rejoice in our good fortunes, let us learn from our experiences and maintain a watchful vigil on the next onslaught of illegal foreign steel.

Special Phone Number

The I.S.U. now has a special toll free telephone number.
The new free number if you are calling the Union Hall is 1-877-740-8085.

Wellness Center Update
By John Balzano

The Union’s Executive Committee has been busy lately interviewing and evaluating a variety of political candidates seeking offices in Ohio and West Virginia.
According to Union President Mark Glyptis, the Executive Committee will soon be making announcements regarding candidates running in the federal as well as state level.
"We are obviously reviewing the candidates who have indicated a desire to come to the Union Hall and interviewing those candidates on Union and steel related issues," Glyptis said.
"We will endorse those candidates we feel will do the best job for our union membership and then go out and work for those candidates," Glyptis added.

 Candidate

I.S.U. member Jack Yost, a 36-year member of the Union and an employee of Weirtec has announced he will be a candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates.
The Union’s Executive Committee has been approached by a number of candidates from local, state and federal campaigns.
I.S.U. President Mark Glyptis said the Executive Committee will review and interview potential candidates and will make a decision regarding a possible endorsement prior to the West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania primaries.

Profit-Sharing

The rumors and speculation about a year end profit and a profit-sharing check continue to grow in number.
But the bottom line is, there is no bottom line.
As we go to press, the company and its auditors are continuing to review and check its final year-end profit and loss numbers. Expect a final announcement by the second week of February.
Once a profit is announced, then the Profit-Sharing Committee that includes Union and Company representatives will begin reviewing any money allocated to be distributed in the form of profit-sharing checks.
So while your buddy at the lunch table may positively know how much profit-sharing you may receive, it’s just too early yet. But soon…

Talk To Us!

We want to hear from you, our readers and Union brothers and sisters.
Call us or write us a note and tell us what you think about The I.S.U. Update and comment on the issues facing the union.
Write to us at the I.S.U. Union Hall, 2971 West Street, Weirton, West Virginia 26062.

Attn: Editor-I.S.U. Update

Contract Demands