THE I.S.U. UPDATE

The Union has put Unifirst on notice continuing problems with the uniform service must cease or another clothing vendor will be brought into the company.
We do know Unifirst has changed the District Manager and added a second driver to the Weirton Steel route.
And at least for now, Unifirst appears to be making an effort to correct mistakes and problems.
If you are having problems with the Unifirst uniforms, please contact Ron Blystone or Holly Kuehn at 1-800-875-1077. If your problem does not get resolved, then contact Jim Andreozzi at the Union Hall. He is doing an outstanding liaison job with the uniform company.

Wheeling-Pitt Update

As we go to press the negotiations between senior management of Weirton Steel and Wheeling –Pittsburgh Steel are continuing.
Weirton Steel officials are remaining very tight-lipped at this point and have indicated they will discuss any proposed deal with the Union only at the appropriate time.
The Union will continue to monitor the discussion.

Safety First In The Tin Mill

A potentially very serious safety problem was resolved last week in theTin Mill when I.S.U. Safety Chairman Delbert Littleton intervened.
Littleton, Tin Mill Division Chairman Ed "Ike" Eisnaugle, and I.S.U. President Mark Glyptis were called to the Tin Mill after maintenance employees questioned the safety of working around chromic acid.
The Union officials delayed the job from proceeding until the chromic acid material was completely removed from the work area.

Donation Drive A Success
By Larry Swiger

The recent one-day collection effort at the millgates for the Shelby Kamarec Fund was a huge success. Volunteers collected more than $2,600 for the five-year-old daughter of laid-off Union Member Tom Kamarec.
The little girl has undergone two brain tumor surgeries so far but her rambunctious nature would never lead you to suspect a thing was wrong with the blonde-haired beauty.
Thanks again to everyone who volunteered his or her time or donation to the cause.

Tin Mill Problems
By Mark Glyptis

Many of you have heard recent rumors of the possible closing of the Tin Mill.
Tin Mill union officials last week held a series of informational meetings at the Union Hall to listen to union brothers and sisters’ concerns and questions.
And company Executive Vice President Craig Costello made an unexpected visit to the Union Executive Committee last week to tell us he has no plans to shut the Tin Mill down.
But we have several concerns. First of all production levels in the Tin Mill continue to drop while plans are explored to possibly sell black plate to Ohio Coatings. As you know, Ohio Coating is partially owned by Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel and is a competitor.
We are concerned about the lack of capital spending in the Tin Mill.
The Tin Mill has always been a key part of Weirton Steel and it must remain so as we enter the next century.

Starting No. 4

Union and Company officials are currently holding informational meetings for eligible employees affected by the permanent shut down of the Sinter Plant.
The Company sent letters out to all eligible employees offering several options.
If you have any questions regarding your status in the Sinter Plant shutdown, please contact the Union Hall or Pete Rich at the Industrial Relations Department at 797-2593.

New Steward

Former Coke Plant Union Steward Dave Hvizdzak has returned to the Union Hall.
Hvizdzak was elected last week in a special election to replace Pete Zias. Zias retired from the mill on August 31 prompting the special election.
Hvizdzak will represent the Fuel Department, Iron and Steel Laboratory, Steel Inspectors, and Electronics.

Scholarships Offered

The Steel Works Community Federal Credit Union is offering $1,000 scholarship applications.
Qualified applicants must be a high school senior, high school graduate, or its equivalent.
The applicant must be a member of Steel Works Community Credit Union.
Applications are now available at area high schools and all Steel Works Credit Union offices and must be returned by December 1, 1999.
Please contact any office for additional information or to see if you are eligible for membership.

Offer Rejected

The Armco Employees Independent Federation at AK Steel Corporation, Middletown, Ohio recently rejected a five and a half-year labor agreement.
The Union officials said they would go back to their membership to discuss what changes are needed in a future contract.

Health Care
By John Balzano

A very important reminder to our Union brothers and sisters:
If you are injured on the job you must file a workers’ compensation claim within six months of the injury.
Claims can be filed at the Dispensary but you must file the claim within six months of the injury.

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The American Heart Walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 9 at the General Office grounds.
Registration starts at 8am and the walk begins at 9am.
Contact the Wellness Center coordinator at 797-5105 for more information and registration forms.

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Effective October 1, 1999 a change was implemented in the telephone system at the Benefits Department.
You must now call a central telephone number at 797-4669 and listen to the personnel menu to select the appropriate individual in the Benefits Department.