THE I.S.U. UPDATE

The Executive Committee has voted overwhelmingly to oppose the City of Weirton’s proposal to implement a Business and Occupation (B&O) tax.
"We realize the city’s short fall in its budget and we are confident it can find a way to resolve the problem. However, a B&O tax should not be an alternative," I.S.U. President Mark Glyptis stated.
"Such a tax would undoubtedly force layoffs, close business, and discourage economic development," Glyptis added.
He said Weirton businesses would be forced to pass the expense of a B&O tax on to the goods and services charged to the public.
"I personally encourage all Weirton union members to contact their ward councilman and Mayor Dean Harris to express our opposition to the proposed City of Weirton B&O tax."

We Endorse

The Union’s Executive Committee has unanimously endorsed Ohio Congressman Bob Ney for reelection to his third term to represent eastern Ohio.
I.S.U. President Mark Glyptis, surrounded by union officials and union members and flanked by Ney, made the announcement proclaiming Ney as "a true champion for steel workers in the Ohio Valley."
"Bob Ney has been with us in the ‘Stand Up For Steel’ campaign since we first started nearly two years ago," Glyptis said.
"And all of us in Washington, D.C. last year remember it was Bob Ney who helped level our protest to the very gates of the White House and persuaded a Clinton administrator to come out and talk to me," Glyptis stated.
"We urge our Ohio union members, their families and friends to vote for Bob Ney for Congress. We believe Bob Ney is a strong leader for the future and a true friend to steel workers of the Ohio Valley," Glyptis declared.

Sheet Mill Safety Awards
By Jim Ford, Safety Specialist

The Sheet Mill annual Safety Awards Winners for 1999 are George Skrab, Number 5 Galvanized Line Feeder; Bill Wickham, Number 5 Galvanized Pot Operator; Bill Jones, Jr., Shipping and Packing; Zane Stevens, Machinist; and Tom Romitti, Welder.
In order to qualify for the drawing, the employees had to have at least one safety contact every month, no report offs, and no recordables for the year and no discipline reports.
Thirty Sheet Mill hourly and salary non-exempt employees were eligible for the drawing. Five awards of $1000 apiece were drawn.
Wickham is a second year winner. Romitti and Skrab are repeat qualifiers. Other qualifying employees last year and in 1998 included Tim Connell, Electrical Planner; Jim Donnelly, Number 3 Galvanized Line Feeder; Jerry McNeely, Number 4 Galvanized Line Operator.
And a special thanks to these men for a job well done.

 Sign-Ups

The Weirton Steel Corporation Shareholders meeting for 2000 has been scheduled for May 24, 2000, at 6 p.m. at the Serbian-American Culture Center.
We had an excellent crowd at last year’s meeting, but we would obviously like to increase our attendance number.
Remember it’s easy to complain about the company. But it’s time to show up at the Shareholders meeting to talk directly to the Board of Directors.

Get Involved

The I.S.U. Update is your Union newsletter.
We publish your Union letter twice a month, and we have strived to make the newsletter representative of our members.
But only you can make the I.S.U. Update even better.
Please send us your ideas, comments, complaints and information you would like to share with your Union brothers and sisters.
Write to us at the Union Hall, 2971 West Street, Weirton, West Virginia 26062, or send it to Dave Gossett via the company mail.

From The Movement

Health Corner
By John Balzano

Fox Run Center is now a contracted provider for Magellan.
Magellan is the company that recently bought out Green Spring Mental Health Unit.
Fox Run will now be considered an "In-Network Provider" and Magellan can now send new patient referrals to Fox Run.