March 11, 1999

Telephone Lobby Effort

Weirton, West Virginia—The Independent Steelworkers Union will direct a massive telephone lobby effort next week in support of the revised Visclosky Bill in the House of Representatives.

According to I.S.U. Communications Director Dave Gossett volunteers are needed Monday and Tuesday to help call members of the House.

"The Union sent each member of the House of Representatives a letter last week asking for their support on this legislation," Gossett said.

"We feel the Visclosky Revised Bill is a major step in the campaign to stop the illegal steel imports from being dumped into this country," Gossett added.

He said the massive telephone lobbying effort will focus on calling all 435 House members.

"We need volunteers to stop by the Union Hall Monday and Tuesday. Or we also welcome businesses or civic groups as well as any organization which would like to make telephone calls. The important thing is to show massive support for this legislation from the Ohio Valley," Gossett declared.

He said the Union will supply names and telephone numbers to the volunteers.

"This is real grassroots politics at its best. We need to show the strength of the Ohio Valley and get this bill passed by a large majority in order to send a message to the Clinton Administration as well as the Senate. The more people calling the better our campaign looks," Gossett said.

Gossett said the I.S.U. is very appreciative of the efforts of Ohio Congressman Bob Ney who brokered the deal with the House Republican leadership in order to get the bill to a vote in the House of Representatives.

"Our local Congressional delegation has been very supportive of the issue but Bob Ney helped guide this legislation through the House Ways and Means Committee. That was an extremely important contribution to this effort," Gossett noted.

He said the telephone lobbying campaign will start Monday at 9:00 a.m.