THE I.S.U. UPDATE

I am writing to you as a union steelworker and as an official of the Independent Steelworkers Union and as someone who was greatly impressed when you came to Weirton nearly eight years ago to campaign for the job you now hold.
Mr. Vice-President, you are a disappointment to steelworkers in this country as well as union members who supported you in the past.
I was one of the hundreds of steelworkers who stood outside the Millsop Community Center eight years ago to show support for the Clinton-Gore ticket.
And because of the Clinton Administration’s global economic policies, I was one of several thousand who rallied at the U.S. Capitol and the White House gates last year in order to protest illegal steel imports.
But in spite of every roadblock you and the members of the Clinton Administration have thrown up, we have struggled and persevered.
However, your latest political move has astonished even the most die-hard Gore union supporters.
To appoint William Daly as your campaign manager is not only a slap in the face of every steelworker in the Ohio Valley, it is confirmation of your desire to shut down the American steel industry.
Please do not expect union steelworkers to follow you blindly into the election booth this fall.
Mr. Vice-President, you may be content to march loyally to the Daly drumbeat of the sell-out of American union jobs.
But as for myself and my union brothers and sisters at Weirton Steel, we will continue to fight for our jobs and our steel industry.
And as for future campaign trips to Weirton to issue fake promises about enforcing fair trade laws…don’t call us, we’ll call you.

Sincerely,
The Editor

Buchanan Petitions

Anyone interested in working for the Pat Buchanan presidential campaign in West Virginia should contact Mark Glyptis at the Union Hall.
The Buchanan campaign in West Virginia is currently collecting signatures in a petition drive to secure Buchanan a spot on the November ballot.
"Our Union’s Executive Committee has previously endorsed Pat Buchanan and we need to start working towards a Buchanan victory in November," Glyptis said.

"He is still the candidate we believe best represents the working class people of this country," Glyptis declared.

The Walker Report

Company President John Walker had good news and not so good news at a recent meeting with Union stewards.
The not so good news is the level of foreign steel imports continues to increase.
The good news is Walker expects to see improvements in the shipment of steel imports.
He also told the Union that the company has still not determined which option to pursue regarding the future of No. 4 Blast Furnace.
According to Primary Operations Management, plans call for No. 4 Blast Furnace to be taken down in October for another internal spray project aimed at extending the life of the Blast Furnace.
Meanwhile, No. 1 Blast Furnace is slated for a 10-day outage in July.

Asbestos Training
By Delbert Littleton

Richard Michael Shilling, the son of 29-year employee David Shilling and his wife Luanne, was named to represent West Virginia at the Track and Field Mid-West Meet of Champions.
The state champion team was made up of West Virginia high school seniors who have either competed for, or captured a state title in track and field.
Rich was a member of the Class of 2000 at Oak Glen High School where he won numerous awards in various sports.
He will be attending West Liberty State College this fall after receiving a full scholarship for track and field.

Wellness Center
By John Balzano

We have several upcoming events scheduled through our Wellness Center program.
Blood Pressure Screenings will be available for all employees throughout the mill during the month of July.
On July 13^th , a dietician will be available to discuss nutritional questions you may have.
Coming up in August will be a CPR class along with a smoking cessation class.
For more information on all Wellness Center programs, call 797-5105.

New Hires

The summer help program is now underway and our sons and daughters are experiencing a taste of life in the mill.
According to I.S.U. President Mark Glyptis, approximately 40 sons and daughters were hired under the contractual terms for summer help.
Plans are still underway to hire permanent hourly workers by the second week of July.
Vice-President of Operations Ed Scram has told the Union he expects to hire 50 craft employees and 40 non-craft employees.
Glyptis said the union is pleased to see new hires in the mill and he is hopeful the practice continues.

Elections

The election of stewards for the next term has been completed and the process is now underway for the Executive Committee positions.
Steel Works No. 1 Division Chairman Dave Gossett faces a challenge from Steward Bob Hoover.
Steel Works No. 2 Division Chairman Mike Vitello is being challenged by Steward Jim Riggle.
And Tin Mill Vice-Chairman/Secretary Enzo Fracasso is facing challenger Keith Misselwitz.
The final step in formalizing the Union officers will be completed by July 11^th.