THE I.S.U. UPDATE

I wanted to take this opportunity to address all of our Union brothers and sisters on several issues we will be facing in the coming months.
First of all our new steward body and Executive Committee term started August 6^th.
We saw several changes in the steward elections as well as the Executive Committee level. I ask you to be patient and understanding as our new stewards take office.
We have planned an intensive one-week training session for all of our stewards to better able them to do their jobs.
Another major issue facing us in the coming weeks is our contract negotiations.
I can assure you we are committed to obtaining the very best labor agreement possible for our membership. I will not be swayed by talk of poor business or quarterly losses.
The one constant I will keep in mind at the contract talks is the very simple fact that the top management of this Company made hundreds of thousands of dollars if not millions this past year, and we just want our fair share.
Another major issue facing us is the continuing fight against illegal foreign steel imports.
This Union has stood alone in recent days denouncing the Global Steel Report to the President.
We will stand tall and united in our opposition to any agreement to accept a Clinton Administration sell-out of the American steel industry.
And finally, I ask you to join all of us in the I.S.U. in solidarity.
In recent days, we have seen attempts by the Company to divert our Union brothers and sisters from listening to our Union leadership.
We have seen a plan where Company officials will provide their version of the truth to our Union members.
And we have seen instances where Union officials have been discredited.
Support your Union officials. Please remember, united we stand, divided we fall.

Just Say No!

The leadership of the I.S.U. said a very loud no to the recent Global Steel Report to the President.
Unfortunately, we stand somewhat alone in our denunciation of the whitewash of the domestic steel crisis report.
We remember Bill Clinton and Al Gore coming to Weirton eight years ago to promise to support fair trade laws.
We remember the total lack of response for the past two years as thousands of steelworkers lost their jobs to Japanese, Russian, Korean and Brazilian steelworkers.
We remember who are friends and supporters who have been in the Congress during our two-year crisis.
And we will remember who to vote for and support in the November elections.
It sure won’t be Al Gore!

Labor Day

The Tri-State Labor Day parade is scheduled for August 27^th in downtown Steubenville.
According to Nikki Butto, the organizing committee will sponsor a parade at 3:00 p.m. with entertainment scheduled for 4:30 p.m. near the Fort Steuben Park.
She said the entertainment will include Phil Dirt and the Dozers, the Marcells, the Vogues and the Original Fantasies.
Butto encouraged all Union members in the Ohio Valley to show their support for Labor Day by attending the festivities.

Winners

There were six winners of boom boxes in the latest AVI canteen contest.
Winners included:

Fundraisers for two Blast Furnace Union members were very successful and both men have expressed their sincere thanks.
Mark Wansack, Blast Furnace Maintenance Mechanic, continues to recover at a rehabilitation center in Sewickly, Pennsylvania.
He and his wife Karen were also very appreciative for efforts by Weirton Steel Carpenters to prepare his residence for his return home.
And Randy Cross, Blast Furnace Electrician, said words couldn’t express his deep-felt thanks for support for him and his family following a near fatal accident involving his 20-year-old son.
Randy Cross, Jr. continues to recover from his injuries and will next be sent to a rehabilitation center.

No. 4 Blast Furnace

Primary Operations Management say No. 4 Blast Furnace will be taken down in October for a five-day outage to spray the interior walls with gunnite material.
Management officials say the annual spray job will allow them to extend the life of No. 4 Blast Furnace for the next three years.
The same management officials still say plans call for No. 4 to come back on-line following the one-week outage.
And Company officials have indicated they are pleased with the 10-day outage on No. 1 Blast Furnace and praised everyone involved.

Operator Assist

Company officials at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel have backed away from a plan to combine maintenance and production jobs.
The plan was included in their last contract which called for more flexibility.
The Company found the maintenance/production Union workers were so busy on the production side there was no time for predictive or preventive maintenance.
The only positive realized was a better understanding by all employees of each job involved in the process.

Wellness Center
By John Balzano

The Union negotiated benefit of a Wellness Center continues to offer a number of programs as we near the end of summer.
A smoking cessation class will be offered starting August 23th. Registration is required.
Coming up in September will be a bone density test. You may call 797-5105 for an appointment.
Also scheduled in the coming weeks will be a Diabetic Awareness Education Course, a Cholesterol class and a Talk To The Dietician.