| We Endorse The
Union’s Executive Committee has unanimously endorsed Mike DeWine for re-election to
the United States Senate.
DeWine was at the Union Hall recently to publicly thank the Executive Committee for its
support and pledged his continuing support of American steelworkers.
"Mike DeWine has been one of the key players in the United States Senate during the
steel import crisis and we need to keep Mike DeWine in the Senate working for us,"
I.S.U. President Mark Glyptis proclaimed.
DeWine has introduced legislation that would require any money gained from the trade cases
filed against foreign steel producers to be given to affected steel companies, not the
government’s coffers.
"But DeWine is open to the idea of using the money for the affected steelworkers,
"Glyptis added.
"It’s also important to note Mike DeWine has made three trips to the
Steubenville-Weirton area in the past year to discuss the steel crisis. We believe Mike
DeWine is concerned about our steelworkers and the people of the Ohio Valley,"
Glyptis said.
He said the union officers would encourage all Ohio union members to vote for Mike DeWine
for re-election to the U.S. Senate.
Walk On The Wild Side
John Walker is back at Weirton Steel—this time in the role of company president
and chief operating officer.
Walker has replaced Craig Costello who retired effective March 31st.
Walker returned to Weirton Steel from a four-year stint at Kaiser Aluminum in Spokane,
Washington where he left behind a very bitter strike by the United Steelworkers of
America. He also left behind the DBA goons he brought in to Kaiser Aluminum to study
worker efficiency.
Walker was one of several members of Weirton management who brought DBA into our mill.
On the upside, Walker is known as a manager who will go into the plant and listen and talk
to the workers who make Weirton Steel successful.
Let’s hope he forgot how to spell DBA.
Blood Bank
There were three $200 winners in the February blood drive contest.
Notified as the most recent winners were Joyce Fowler, Patricia Hrizdzak and William
Davis.
The next I.S.U. sponsored blood drive is set for May 18th.
Special Recognition
By Mike Vitello
Operations Services Rigger Ben Gundrum and his wife Ellen have been named Honor Couple
for their many years of experience in square dancing.
The Gundrums have been members of Dip and Dive Square Dance Club in Steubenville for 14
years. They have also been members of the Spinning Gears Square Dance Club in Weirton for
ten years.
They have attended the national conventions for eight years, the Ohio State Convention for
seven years and the Pennsylvania State Convention in 1999.
Ben and Ellen are also members of the Century Club and have danced with more than 700
callers.
According to their sponsors for the Honor Couple Award, "their enthusiasm for square
dancing is a plus for our clubs and they support student lessons, workshops, banner raids
and all other club activities."
Next time you see Ben Gundrum, tell him congratulations for his square dancing activities. |
Wellness Center News
By John BalzanoA number of activities sponsored by the Weirton Steel Wellness
Center are on tap for the coming weeks.
In April, Prostate and Skin Cancer Screenings will take place in the Highmark Blue Cross/
Blue Shield screening bus.
Also in April, information on breast cancer awareness will be available April 5th
at the G.O. Auditorium and April 6th in the M.A.B. Cafeteria from 11:30am to
1pm.
April is National Cancer Control Month.
Brothers and Sisters
The Catholic Central High School Academic Team has won the Jefferson County Tournament
Championship.
Team members include Phillip Bender, grandson of Operations Services Rigger Ben Gundrum;
Shaun DiStefano, son of Paul DiStefano, B.O.P. Fuel Department; and Mike Gossett, son of
Blast Furnace Maintenance Mechanic Dave Gossett.
The CCHS Academic Team will be in Akron on April 15th for regional action.
Officer Seeker
Another I.S.U. member has filed to run for public office in the May primary.
Charles W. Varner of the Blast Furnace is seeking the Democratic nomination for Sheriff of
Hancock County. He has worked in the Hancock County Sheriff’s Reserves and formerly
worked as a dispatcher in the sheriff’s office.
Varner served in the U.S. Army where he advanced to the rank of sergeant and received
several awards and medals.
In addition to working in the Blast Furnace, Varner is also owner and operator of
Varner’s Radiator Shop.
Election Time
Union Hall Office Manager Jim Andreozzi has mailed out the notification of stewardships
to the membership as required by the Union by-laws.
Under the terms of the contract, the union will lose six hourly stewards and one salary
non-exempt steward this election.
That has resulted in a realignment of stewardship areas in all divisions. It has been done
as fairly as possible. The alignment of hourly stewards is based on employee numbers,
while the salary non-exempt stewards are aligned geographically.
In Memoriam
Two union brothers recently passed away following brief illnesses.
Paul Vilga of the Strip Steel Mechanical Shop and Richard Pernell of the Track Gang will
be sadly missed by families, friends and co-workers.
For a complete archive
of previous ISU Updates,
click here. |