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Steelworker News Updated:
08/05/2010
New
Democratic Strategy For Creating Jobs Focuses On A Boost In Manufacturing
President
Obama and congressional Democrats -- out of options for another quick shot
of stimulus spending to revive the sluggish economy -- are shifting toward a
longer-term strategy that promises to tackle persistently high unemployment
by engineering a renaissance in American manufacturing. That approach,
heralded by Obama last week in
Detroit
and sketched out in a memo to House Democrats as they headed home for the
August break, is still evolving and so far focuses primarily on raising
taxes on multinational corporations … more
Solar
Power Transforms Parking Lots into Green Job Generators
While
fossil fuel companies in the
U.S.
are busily wrecking vast sections of the country’s natural heritage, a new
energy resource has been quietly emerging from an unlikely source: parking
lots. More parking lots are being converted into solar energy farms
that create clean, renewable power while also creating more green jobs in
solar cell manufacturing, installation, and sales. One relatively new player
in the
U.S.
solar parking lot field is EEPro, an offshoot of the German company EEPro
GmbH, which started up operations in North … more
Republican
Jobs Plan: Bigger Tax Cuts For The Rich
After
opposing, stalling, stonewalling and filibustering almost every
recession-related bill for the past year, Republican lawmakers have finally
proposed a jobs plan of their own: a bigger, more expensive version of
George W. Bush's tax cuts for the rich. The Economic Freedom Act of 2010 --
introduced by Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) --
proposes deep tax cuts favoring the wealthiest in America, a reduction in
regulatory oversight and the elimination of a federal tax on the estates of
millionaires, which will allow … more
Picketing
at NewPage Negotiator's Home
– District 2
A group of NewPage mill workers from
Michigan
traveled to the Town of
Hull
to picket outside the home of the company's lead negotiator. 23 members of
the United Steelworkers Union were outside the home of William Smith for
about two hours. Members of the group say talks have dragged on for nearly
two years over safety standards and possible job cuts. Meanwhile, NewPage
has named a new President and CEO. George Martin was promoted after serving
as Senior Vice President of Operations. He's been with the company for … more
Bargaining
Was Difficult, Local 2724 Prez Says
– District 6
Ian Kersley has participated in five contract negotiations on
behalf of United Steelworkers Local 2724 and cannot recall a wilder race to
the contract expiration deadline. After two months of slow-moving
negotiations between Essar Steel Algoma and its nearly 600-member salaried
workforce, the 2724 bargaining team received three settlement offers in the
final four days of the contract. "You expect movement in the final
days, but three different settlement offers in less than two days is
somewhat out of the ordinary," said Kersley, whose … more
A
Just Government Protects Workers, Communities, Pelicans
The
motivation of corporations like BP and Massey Energy is pure. Purely profit.
Their goal is to maximize returns for investors and bonuses for officers.
Corporate operation is a simple equation. Profits first. Communities,
workers and pelicans - third. Or lower. For all BP CEO Tony Hayward’s
sincere-gaze-in-the-camera promises to make it right, he can’t resurrect
11 dead rig workers. He’ll never completely restore the Gulf’s
oil-mucked waters, beaches and communities. And he can’t un-kill untold
numbers of Gulf … more
Defending
Canadian Law And Communities Is The Job Of Governments
The
July 12 Law Times editorial (see “Hands-off approach to Vale strike the
right move) argues that the federal and provincial governments should take a
“hands-off” approach when it comes to enforcing promises made under the
Investment Canada Act and in bitter labour disputes such as the Vale strike.
It argues the federal government was wrong to take United States Steel Corp.
to court for breaking the promises it made upon buying
Canada
’s Stelco Inc. and defends the government’s inaction in charging Vale
over its promises with … more
Cutting
Workers, Demanding Shortcuts: Recipe For Injury And Death On The Job
"They
were rushing because they had to get the equipment to another jobsite,"
said the widow. "The boss tapped him to do the work because they were
short-handed. He wasn't trained to do it" said the grieving mother.
"Yeah, I used equipment that I knew was unsafe. You're shunned if you
complain," noted the disabled worker. These comments are just some of
what I heard last week from family members who lost a loved one from a fatal
on-the-job injury. Their remarks were eerily similar to what we've learned
from survivors of a few of this … more
Forget
Teddy Roosevelt! If the Rich Pay, Everybody Pays
There's
a new undercurrent in
Washington
debate, an unstated drive to undo the bipartisan consensus that's governed
American policy for a century. New pieces by Fareed Zakaria and Clive Crook
merely reflect the new unspoken theme that's revealing itself in debates on
taxation, Social Security, and a dozen other areas: If the wealthy must
sacrifice anything, then the middle-class and poor must sacrifice at least
as much. The old belief that greater fortune brings greater responsibility
is under attack. The idea that "to those whom must … more
Bargaining
With Employer Unsuccessful Says Cove
– District 6
Darren Cove, Local 9508 president, said bargaining with the employer hasn't
seen much success because there has been a reluctance to bargain in good
faith, speak on the issues, or discuss the nickel bonus. So the union local,
over the course of the year, has spent their time getting the message out
about their cause - they even took it to an international level. There were
several demonstrations, days of solidarity and family days held in
Happy
Valley-Goose
Bay
, across the province and even a trip to Nain was arranged to contest the
… more
Universal
Stainless Reaches Agreement With USW
– District 10
Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Inc. reached a
five-year agreement with workers at the company’s
Titusville
facility who are represented by the United Steelworkers Union. The
agreement, which covers hourly employees represented by Local 7312-03, is
effective Oct. 1 and replaces an agreement that was set to expire Sept. 30,
the company said in a statement. “The early agreement allows us to
concentrate on growing the business,” said President and CEO Dennis Oates
in a statement. “The new contract contains wage … more
New
Deal for WFP Workers
– District 10
Ladysmith
sawmill to start up again in September
A tentative agreement with Western Forest Products and
the United Steelworkers Union is hoped to bring stability for all involved,
says USW Local 1-1937’s president. “It creates stability and that’s
what’s needed right now: stability for our members and their families,”
Darrel Wong said of the tentative four-year agreement announced July 26.
“And for the marketplace, the stability that is created by a longer-term
agreement is also a benefit to employers.” The four-year agreement
replaces the contract that expired June 15 and is … more
Alan
Greenspan: Extending Bush Tax Cuts Without Paying For Them Could Be
'Disastrous'
Former
Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan said that the push by congressional Republicans
to extend the Bush tax cuts without offsetting the costs elsewhere could end
up being "disastrous" for the economy. In an interview on NBC's
"Meet the Press," Greenspan expressed his disagreement with the
conservative argument that tax cuts essentially pay for themselves by
generating revenue and productivity among recipients. "They do
not," said Greenspan. "I'm very much in favor of tax cuts but not
with borrowed money and the problem that we … more
Corporate
Campaign Fundraising Picks Up Speed
Business
and conservative groups see a chance to influence the midterm election
because of rising anger at Democratic policies and recent court rulings on
political spending. Reporting from
Washington
— Driven by increasing anger at Democratic policies and by recent Supreme
Court decisions unshackling corporate contributions, business and
conservative groups are preparing a flood of campaign money to try to wrest
control of Congress from the Democrats. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the
biggest collection point for … more
Uranium,
not Kryptonite, Worries Superman's Hometown in
Illinois
– District 7
Uranium, not kryptonite, has residents of Superman's hometown
on edge these days. The uranium can be found at the Honeywell plant, located
just west of town and, as is frequently pointed out these days, just upwind.
The plant — an unremarkable, hulking mass just off the highway — has
been around more than five decades. It rarely registers much of a thought
here, except as a provider of hundreds of good-paying jobs handling
dangerous material. That was, until June 28. That's when Honeywell locked
out its 220 union workers … more
Vale
Strike In
Labrador
Hits One-Year Mark
– District 6
Striking miners in
Labrador
marked a full year on the picket line Sunday, as a long-running strike at
Voisey's Bay showed no sign of ending soon. "For most people, you know,
it's just disbelief," union member Byron Rumbolt said of the 200
workers who have been on strike at Vale's nickel mine on Labrador's northern
coast. "We've been out on the picket line for a year and there's
nothing resolved. I guess [there is] concern that maybe this strike is going
to go on for another year if is keeps up this way." Striking workers
held a rally in Happy … more
Trade
Rep Lauds Obama On Jobs
– District 10
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk told workers at a
Washington County steel plant Friday that the Obama administration was
living up to its promises to protect U.S. manufacturing jobs. Mr. Kirk,
appearing at Allegheny Technologies' specialty plate plant, said the
administration had won back American jobs by standing up to
China
over tires and auto parts, challenging the European Union on aerospace and
beef exports and persuading
Russia
to reopen its markets to $700 million in
U.S.
poultry. "Trade can and will work for you," Mr. Kirk … more
Over
$117,000 Raised To Fight HST, Election B.C. Records Show
– District 3
Bill Vander Zalm's war chest for fighting the harmonized sales
tax totalled almost $118,000 with contributions from organizations as varied
as labour unions, non-profit groups, a regional district and a mall. The
Fight HST campaign reported a total income of $117,737.87 from donations
plus the sale of anti-HST paraphernalia, according to financial documents
released Friday by Elections B.C. It spent $108,912.07 -- far below the
maximum allowable of almost $1 million -- and still has about $8,800 left in
the bank. Contributions … more
Congress
Throws Support To
U.S.
Paper Industry
– District 8
Obama
asked to examine Chinese subsidies
It’s an international paper trail that leads back to
Western Maryland
. The president of the
United States
may not yet know of NewPage Corp. and its operation in Luke but he is about
to. NewPage is one of three American paper producers mentioned specifically
in a congressional letter signed by 100 senators and dated July 28 urging
the Obama administration to examine
China
’s subsidization of its domestic paper industry. A recently released
report identifies subsidies given to that nation’s paper industry by the
Chinese government … more
Local
2724 Begins Vote On Contract
– District 6
Everchanging 11th-hour developments in Essar Steel Algoma
contract negotiations with United Steelworkers Local 2724 had the salaried
workforce wrapping up two days of voting Saturday on a memorandum of
settlement from a provincial government mediator. The mediator, Denise Small
of the Ministry of Labour, presented her settlement document to both parties
early Friday morning, about 13 hours before the first of three 2724
information and voting sessions at Riuniti Hall. It's the third settlement
offer to surface in the final … more
The
GOP Plot to Screw the Economy and the Middle Class
We’re
only three months away from the midterm election when a shockingly large
number of American voters will inexplicably vote for Republican candidates.
I have no idea if this will mean a Republican takeover of the House or
Senate or both, but there will definitely be enough voter support for
Republicans to significantly reduce the Democratic majorities in the House
and Senate. Why? Because too many voters tend to be low-information,
knee-jerk Springfield-from-The-Simpsons types, and the Republicans have
lashed their crazy trains to … more
Bangladeshi
Garment Unions Accept 80% Raise
Bangladeshi
trade unions representing millions of low-paid garment workers announced on
Wednesday their acceptance of a proposed 80 per cent increase in their
minimum wage. On Tuesday the government said that it would raise the minimum
wage from 1,662 taka a month (£15.28), the lowest industry wage worldwide,
to 3,000 taka (£27.58). Unions had been demanding 5,000 taka (£45.97).
Shamsun Nahar Bhuiyan, a union representative who sat on an emergency wage
board that was hastily convened by the government … more
No
To Oligarchy
The
American people are hurting. As a result of the greed, recklessness and
illegal behavior on Wall Street, millions of Americans have lost their jobs,
homes, life savings and their ability to get a higher education. Today, some
22 percent of our children live in poverty, and millions more have become
dependent on food stamps for their food. And while the Great Wall Street
Recession has devastated the middle class, the truth is that working
families have been experiencing a decline for decades. During the Bush years
alone, from 2000-2008 … more
Hypocritical
senators Choose Tax Cuts For The Rich Over Job-Creation Measures
More
than 40
U.S.
senators have voted several times this year to block extensions of programs
that - according to mainstream economists - are the most effective ways to
boost consumer demand and create jobs. This minority of senators
filibustered a package of extended unemployment benefits, Medicaid funding
for states and other vital measures because it would have increased the
budget deficit by more than $100 billion, which these senators claimed was
unacceptable. They later stopped action on several smaller jobs bills until
the … more
Essar
Steel Expects Steelworkers To Strike
– District 6
The Essar Steel Algoma contract expiration countdown clock
with United Steelworkers Local 2724 is at three days, the current deal
expiring at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, and the two parties appear on a collision
course. Wednesday morning, within about 10 hours of Essar Algoma's largest
bargaining unit, USW Local 2251, agreeing to a new three-year deal, the
company's chief negotiator, through its corporate Internet blog, announced
it was doubtful the company could reach an agreement with its salaried
workers prior to … more
Union
Workers Take To Picket Lines In Escanaba
– District 2
The United Steelworkers Union, locked in a contract dispute
with New Page, took to the picket line in Escanaba Thursday. They marched in
front of the home of one of the New Page negotiators. Union members and
their supporters characterized the demonstration as a "peaceful"
picket line, but New Page told TV6 they're disappointed by the picket. They
say the actions that threaten the negotiating team are not helpful in the
bargaining process. The union's been without a new contract for over two
years. They say contract … more
Laid-off
Shelby Tube Workers Eligible For Benefits
– District 1
The U.S. Department of Labor has approved Trade Adjustment
Assistance benefits for workers laid off from ArcelorMittal Tubular Products
in
Shelby
. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, announced the assistance Thursday. The
program is designed to help displaced workers with income support, training
for a different career and allowances for job searches and relocation, but
it appears few people will apply. Almost all of the steel plant workers who
received layoff notices in 2008 or early 2009 already have been called back
to work. "At … more
Airport
Screening Officer Wins NDP Nomination
– District 6
Candidate says she would like to focus on post-secondary
education and health care. Coming from a family of 15 has equipped Julie
Drummond with the ability to speak up and a fighting spirit, she says.
Enlarge Photo Submitted photoHampton-Kings NDP candidate Julie Drummond says
she likes to help people. Drummond is the New Democratic Party candidate for
the riding of Hampton-Kings in the Sept. 27 provincial election. She won the
nomination unopposed on Wednesday evening. Drummond was raised in Jeffries
Corner, near … more
Wyden
Tries To Protect Paper Industry
Subsidies
for China's products hurt mills in the U.S., he says
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden is pressing the Obama administration to
act against Chinese subsidies that he says are unfairly hurting the U.S.
paper industry. "American workers are fed up with foreign subsidies and
they need to know that the U.S. government is on their side," said
Wyden, a Democrat. "The investigation we are calling for is the first
step toward achieving economic justice for our paper producers." More
than 100 members of Congress sent a letter to President Obama on Wednesday,
seeking an in-depth examination of … more
For
the Strength of Rosie the Riveter, Make It in America
Rosie
the Riveter defiantly rolls up her blue work shirt to show off a brawny
bicep. She’s a symbol of American strength. She worked in a manufacturing
job, one of millions that constructed the defense machine that won World War
II for the Allies. She said, “We can do it.” And America did. Now,
however, shuttered U.S. factories and off-shored manufacturing are sapping
American strength. The nation has lost more than 40,000 manufacturing plants
and one-third of its manufacturing jobs, nearly six million, over the past
dozen … more
Goodyear
To Bring Back Employees – District 8
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. announced that the Danville manufacturing
facility will return to a continuous, seven-day operation schedule.
“We’re going to get all the Goodyear employees back to work,” said
Goodyear-Danville communications manager Jo Andrews. “That’s what
we’re most excited about.” About 400 workers lost their jobs through
buyouts and layoffs last year when the Danville plant went to a three-shift,
five-day schedule in March 2009.Goodyear reached a tentative agreement with
United Steelworkers Local 831 on July 21 … more
Labour
Leader Says Voisey's Bay Strike Testing Membership's Resolve –
District 6
As the striking workers of Voisey’s Bay prepare to mark its first
anniversary on the picket line, the union vows to hold out “one day longer
than the company.” During an emergency meeting Wednesday afternoon of
Newfoundland labour leaders, Lana Payne, president of the Newfoundland and
Labrador Federation of Labour, denounced Vale’s tactics since workers went
on strike Aug. 1, 2009. “We felt it was really important to bring together
as many of the leadership in the labour movement that we could get
available,” she said … more
Victaulic
Workers Set Aug. 8 Vote On Company Offer
–
District 10
The union representing Victaulic employees, who have been working
under an expired contract for six months, has set an Aug. 8 vote on the
company’s latest offer. About 275 workers, including 37 affected by recent
layoffs, are eligible to vote. “This is going to be one of the toughest
decisions every member is going to have to make,” Jerry Green, president
of United Steelworkers Local 2599, said today. Terms
of the three-year proposal were not disclosed. Victaulic spokesman Eric
Luftig described the company’s offer as "a compelling proposal … more
Locked-Out
Employees Protest Treatment by Sears
– District 6
Sears employees and their supporters, including local politicians, will
gather Thursday near the giant retailer's flagship Toronto store to protest
the company's lock out of warehouse workers for the last four months.
Despite a yearly profit of $250 million, Sears has refused to negotiate
since the lockout started and has now hired scabs to perform the locked-out
workers' jobs. Sears is seeking a collective agreement that would give it
the right to make unilateral changes to many important working conditions of
the warehouse workers. After locking … more
Steelworkers
Blast Johnson For Trade Agreement Support
– District 2
The United Steelworkers Union, in a strongly worded press release, slammed
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ron Johnson for supporting "
job-destroying trade deals" like NAFTA and GATT. At a WisPolitics
luncheon Monday, Johnson said as someone whose company does business on a
global scale, he supports the controversial free trade pacts that some argue
have contributed to the state's manufacturing decline. "It's a global
economy; we've got to trade," Johnson said. "It works. I'm
definitely supportive." Incumbent … more
Alcoa's
Davenport Works To Recall 159 Employees
– District 11
Alcoa’s Davenport Works announced Wednesday it plans to recall 159 of the
199 employees remaining on layoff from the plant. Some of the recalled
workers will be back on the job beginning Aug. 16, with all back at work
before the end of August.“Business levels are improving, and we need these
employees to make sure we continue to meet the needs of our customers,”
said Malcolm Murphy, vice president and general manager of the plant.
“Much of the increased order load is coming from the industrial products
markets. The key for … more
Consumer
Confidence Falls As Corporate Profits Rise
The
disconnect between Wall Street and
Main Street
is growing. Americans' confidence in the economy faded further in July,
according to a monthly survey released Tuesday, amid job worries and skimpy
wage growth. That's at odds with Wall Street's recent rally fueled by upbeat
earnings reports from big businesses such as chemical maker DuPont Co. and
equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. That's because the pumped-up profits are
being fueled by cost cuts like layoffs and overseas sales. In fact, big
companies have shown few signs … more
Zambia
Union
Aims To Block Vale Copper Investment
Zambia's
largest mine workers' union said on Wednesday it aimed to block Brazilian
firm Vale's (VALE5.SA) planned development of a $400 million copper mine
because of concerns about its bad labour relations record. Mine Workers'
Union of Zambia (MUZ) President Rayford Mbulu said Vale, which plans to
develop the Konkola North copper project, had been involved in a standoff
with steel workers in
Canada
for almost a year and should not be allowed in
Zambia
. Mbulu said the 20 million-member International Chemical, Energy, Mining
… more
Jobs,
jobs, jobs: Pols Zero In On Key Issue
Candidates
agree on one thing: the deciding factor in this fall's election will be
employment.
Randy
Demmer, a Minnesota House Republican running for Congress, is taking heat
these days for suggesting that some laid-off workers are spurning job offers
in this down economy to collect long-term unemployment benefits. The
problem, he says, was brought to his attention by Charles Barry, CEO of Twin
City Fan Cos. Ltd. Demmer argues that jobless benefits can act as an
impediment to private-sector hiring, a view that has made him a prime target
for Democrats launching an election-year jobs offensive. "Rep. Demmer
is blaming … more
US
Renewable Energy Industry In Call For Action
In
spite of the Obama Administration’s pledge to create green jobs, the
US
renewable energy industry said on Tuesday it had stalled in the absence of
strong federal policy, low power demand and bureaucratic funding.
Installations of wind power – the biggest growth engine of the
US
renewable industry - so far this year have dropped by 71 per cent from 2009
levels, according to the American Wind Energy Association, the industry
trade group. Denise Bode, association chief executive, said strong federal
policy had never been … more
Corning
Plans To Hire 20 Union Workers
– District 4
New
mirror contract, good outlook for semiconductors is behind move
The Canton Corning plant is poised to hire about 20
union workers and has already brought back most of its laid-off hourly
employees to meet an increasing demand for its products. "It's a very
good time," said Anthony M. Badlam, president of Local 1026 of United
Steelworkers. "Especially with General Motors, it's a positive thing to
get people employed." An improving business climate is behind the
hires. "The reason is a new mirror contract along with upbeat customer
forecasts in the semiconductor product lines,"
Corning
spokeswoman … more
Vale
Plans 150 Layoffs in
Sudbury
– District 6
Brazilian mining giant Vale has terminated the jobs of 18
workers at its
Sudbury
, Ont., operations, beginning a series of layoffs that will likely reach
150, said a company spokesperson. The production and maintenance workers
were notified Monday afternoon, just three weeks after ending a yearlong
strike involving about 3,000 United Steelworkers Union workers in
Sudbury
and
Port Colborne
, Ont. Vale spokesperson Steve Ball said global competition is forcing the
company to reduce costs. Additionally, Ball said Vale needs to invest … more
Thompson
Creek says Union Certified at
Canada
Mine
– District 3
Molybdenum miner Thompson Creek Metals (TCM.TO) said workers
at the Endako mine in
British Columbia
had received union certification. The provincial labor relations board
certified the United Steelworkers union to represent a group of Endako
employees. In May, 55 percent of eligible mine, milling and maintenance
workers voted in favor of joining USW, the largest labor union in
North America
. Thompson Creek, which operates and owns a 75 percent joint venture
interest in the Endako mine, said it expects to receive a notice to … more
Steelworkers
Approve Tentative Contract Agreement with Essar Steel Algoma
– District 6
United Steelworkers in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., have ratified a
new collective agreement with Essar Steel Algoma Inc. USW Local 2251 says 83
per cent of members who voted approved the tentative agreement reached on
July 21. The three-year agreement includes wage and cost-of-living
increases, as well as improvements in pensions and benefits for about 2,600
hourly workers. The agreement was reached and ratified before the current
contract expired at the end of this month. The company calls the agreement
fair to employees … more
Vancouver
Island
Sawmill At Ladysmith To Reopen
– District 3
Ladysmith's idled sawmill will reopen after Labour Day,
bringing back about 30 workers on one production line, Western Forest
Products has announced. Company spokesman Gary Ley said growing Chinese
markets for construction lumber has led to to the decision to reopen the
mill (which was shut down indefinitely in April 2008 until markets improved)
on Sept. 7. He said the forest company will "monitor the markets"
closely in the coming months before any decisions are made to expand
operations at the mill, and there are no plans "at this … more
Liberian
Labor Movement Pledges Support for Global Campaign for Justice at Vale
A
United Steelworkers (USW) delegation led by International Vice President for
Human Affairs Fred Redmond completed a series of meetings last week with
government and labor officials and other groups in
Liberia
regarding the possibility of Vale conducting business in their country. .A
United Steelworkers (USW) delegation led by International Vice President for
Human Affairs Fred Redmond completed a series of meetings last week with
government and labor officials and other groups in
Liberia
regarding the possibility of Vale … more
Save
The Banks? Yes. Save Your Federal Benefits? No.
The
irony must have been lost on him. Neel Kashkari, the first head of the
government’s $700-billion financial-system bailout program (TARP), argues
that Congress needs to bring the same urgency to cutting federal entitlement
benefits that it did to bailing out banks -- because they’re both “the
right thing to do” for the national good. Kashkari, a former assistant
U.S. Treasury secretary (and Goldman Sachs alum) who directed the Troubled
Asset Relief Program from its inception in the fall of 2008 until May 2009,
wrote a Washington … more
Supporters
Plead For National RES In The
US
Senate Energy Bill
Environmental
and special interest groups plus a handful of other supporters made a public
plea to Majority Leader Harry Reid to include a national renewable
electricity standard (RES) in an energy bill that US Senate Democrats may
introduce on Tuesday. In a letter to Reid, 17 signatories including the
American Wind Energy Association and Sierra Club made a grim prediction if
the 100-seat Senate did not act now on a national RES. “Without immediate
passage, hundreds of thousands of future jobs in the clean energy sector
could be … more
The
Great Decoupling of Corporate Profits From Jobs
Second-quarter
earnings reports are coming in, and they're making Wall Street smile.
Corporate profits are up. And big American companies are sitting on a
gigantic pile of money. The 500 largest non-financial firms held almost a
trillion dollars in the second quarter, and that money pile is growing
larger this quarter. Profits that plummeted in the recession have bounced
back. Big businesses have recovered almost 90 percent of what they lost. So
with all this money and profit, they'll start hiring again, right? Wrong -
for three reasons. First, … more
U.S.
Steel Case Moving Ahead
– District 6
Appeal
court rejects steelmaker's attempt to freeze federal lawsuit against it
A
federal lawsuit against U.S. Steel over the way it shut down its
Hamilton
plants last year is back on track. The ruling yesterday by the Federal Court
of Appeal ended the company's effort to freeze a suit that could cost of
millions of dollars in fines and lead to the forced sale of the former
Stelco. The company wanted the freeze while it appeals an earlier ruling
upholding the Investment Canada Act. "This decision says the case can
go on and that's good," said Rolf Gerstenberger, president of Local
1005 of the United Steelworkers. "We think the … more
United
Steelworkers and
Western
Forest
Products Reach Tentative Agreement in BC Coastal
Forest
Industry
– District 3
The
United Steelworkers (USW) and Western Forest Products (WFP) have reached a
tentative agreement, covering some 2,400 USW Local 1-1937 and Local 1-85
members employed at WFP sawmilling and woodlands operations on Vancouver
Island, the Mainland Coast and the Haida Gwaii. USW Wood Council chair Bob
Matters says full details of the tentative agreement will be provided to
members at a series of ratification meetings. Members in isolated areas may
be provided written details and mail-in ballots. In general … more
United
Steelworkers Local 2251 Set For Tuesday Vote
– District 6
The stalemate between Essar Steel Algoma and United
Steelworkers Local 2724 could lead to the Sault Ste. Marie steel maker's
first labour disruption in 20 years. Three-year collective agreements
between the company and Locals 2251 and 2724 expire in five days, at 12:01
a.m. Sunday. Local 2251, representing more than 2,500 hourly production,
service, maintenance and clerical personnel inside the steelworks, will vote
most of Tuesday, 5:30 a.m. through 8:30 p.m. at the Marconi Hall, on a
memorandum of agreement achieved last week… more
Bipartisanship
Possible On Energy
It’s
no secret that Republicans and Democrats are not working together
productively in
Washington
right now. It is a growing phenomenon; as former Senate majority leaders —
and minority leaders— we’ve seen plenty of partisan bickering, politics
trumping policy and stalled national agendas. But today we jointly see an
opportunity for both parties to work together and do the right thing for the
American people. That opportunity is a national energy policy. As the Senate
wrangles behind closed doors to craft a plan, we urge them to follow a … more
Netroots-Labor
Solidarity: A Work in Progress
"So
all you skinny guys in this room needs to find a big guy and sit down and
talk. And you big guys you need to find a skinny guy and get together,"
said United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard last year at a reception for
the
America
's Future Now Conference. Gerard was referring to the bloggers (skinny guys)
and steelworkers (big guys) getting together to form alliances to fight
unfair trade practices and job loss. The blogosphere and organized labor
have not always had such an easy relationship. While there are many
political bloggers … more
Funeral
Arrangements Set For Potter Plant Worker
– District 10
A funeral is scheduled for one of the two workers who were killed Thursday
in a plant explosion at the Horsehead Corp. zinc plant in
Potter
Township
. Services for Corey Keller, 41, of
Newell
,
W.Va.
, will take place at 11 a.m. Monday at The Newell Chapel of the Nixon
Funeral Home in Newell. A burial with full military honors will follow.
Keller, a U.S. Army Reserve veteran, worked as a refinery operator at
Horsehead. He was killed along with James Taylor, 53, of
Hopewell
Township
in a blast at the plant’s zinc oxide refinery area … more
Union
Ratifies Alcan Contract
– District 8
On the third attempt, members of United Steelworkers Local 5668 ratified a
new two-year labor agreement covering some 700 employees at Alcan Aluminum
in Ravenswood. The contract was approved 419 to 212 during voting Thursday
and Friday at the plant, according to a statement released Saturday by Local
5668. The agreement preserves the existing medical insurance plan, provides
hourly wage increases of 35 cents the first year and an additional 35 cents
in the second year and makes improvements in the pension plan. A … more
A
Bitter Pill For Medco?
Union
says automated pharmacy forces its workers to fill prescriptions at unsafe
speed
The
gleaming glass building in
Boone
County
is enormous, larger than six football fields, and is crammed with millions
of pills and capsules for just about any disease. The owner, Medco Health
Systems, calls it the "world's largest, most advanced automated
pharmacy," with a capacity to dispense more than 1 million
prescriptions a week through the mail. The pharmacy opened earlier this year
but is still months away from ramping up to full production. In its news
releases and letters to shareholders, Medco boasts of its speed, efficiency
… more
Alcoa,
Reynolds Health Plans To Change
– District 4
Health coverage for Alcoa and Reynolds retirees is changing, and the union
has planned an information session to update members. United Steelworkers
from the former Reynolds and Alcoa East plants — and former Aluminum,
Brick and Glass Workers International Union members who retired after June
1, 1993 — are invited to the meeting, scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at the
Knights of Columbus Hall, East Orvis Street. Health coverage changed after a
new contract was ratified between Alcoa and the union, according to Richard
… more
Work
Design For The
First World
– District 6
When Marco Gagnon has work that needs to be done, but doesn't have enough
qualified people to do it, he trains his employees to be able to get the job
done. Enlarge Photo Matthew Sherwood/Telegraph-JournalLawrence McKay is a
representative for the United Steelworkers Union. 'Trying to compete with
India
and
China
and
Mexico
, it has to be done,' McKay says of the practice the industry sometimes
calls cross trading. 'But there are ways to do it keeping workers involved.'
The owner of Grand Falls-based steel … more
Asarco-Southern
Copper Merger Looms
– District 12
Grupo's
proposal opposed by union, which calls it scary
Grupo
Mexico
has proposed merging its Tucson-based copper producer Asarco LLC with
Southern Copper, a subsidiary that owns mines in
Mexico
and
Peru
. If approved, the merger would fold Asarco into a new, publicly traded
subsidiary that would unite all of Grupo
Mexico
's mining interests in one company. In a filing at the
Mexico City
stock exchange Friday, the parent company said the merger would save money.
"We believe a combination of Southern Copper and Asarco under common
ownership would provide important … more
BAE
Lays Off 45, Re-hires 14 at
West Manchester
Plant –
District 10
A
'business need' dictated the changes, the
West
Manchester
Township
defense contractor said.
BAE
Systems this week issued layoff notices to 45 forklift operators, but called
14 others back to work at its
West
Manchester
Township
plant, according to a company spokesman. The personnel changes at the
defense contractor came on the heels of a unanimous union vote Sunday to
reject a contract proposal from the company. "This decision -- the
layoff and the recall -- were in no way connected to that vote,"
spokesman Randy Coble said. "This was a planned action, it was not
taken in connection in any way with the vote of July … more
Great
Lakes Sailors Continue Pickets On
Liberty
Line
– Districts 1 and 2
Liberty Line vessels on the
Great Lakes
have names like American Courage, Fortitude, and Integrity. The names also
define 80 members of United Steelworkers Great Lakes Seamen Local 5000 who
continue their 10-month picket in a lockout/strike with the Liberty Division
of the American Steamship Line. The sailors are unemployed because the
Williamsville, N.Y., based carrier is not bargaining in good faith with
them. Both companies are owned by GATX of Chicago, that also leases marine,
rail, and industrial equipment … more
Essar
Workers Ponder Details Of Agreement
– District 6
John Piroli faced a big question this past weekend. Would the 20-year welder
fitter back a proposed three-year deal between Essar Steel Algoma and United
Steelworkers Local 2251? The steelworker had "mixed emotions"
after attending an information session explaining the new deal Saturday at
Essar Centre. "I've got two days to make up my mind," said Piroli.
"I'm not in favour of it, but I don't want to go on strike. That's
another thought. It's going to be 50-50." No signing bonus and no wage
increase in the contract's first 12 months … more
Retiree
Events Show Changes –
Districts 1, 8 and 10
There was a time when the steel retirees of Wheeling-Pittsburgh and Weirton
Steel would never have broken bread together in a retiree luncheon. Like
much about the old days of big steel in the area, those days are gone,
replaced by a need to band together for information, fellowship and
survival. The Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees has chapters at
both United Steelworkers Local 1190 for Severstal Wheeling/Wheeling-Pitt,
and USW Local 2911 for ArcelorMittal Weirton/Weirton Steel. Those two groups
joined together for the first … more
IWA
History Finds Safe Haven In
Lake
Cowichan
Museum
– District 3
Kaatza
Station
Museum
volunteers were hard at work in the heat earlier this month, hauling cars
full of boxes and filing cabinets, as well as a refrigerator into the
museum’s
Bell
Tower
School
. The piles, overflowing from a few vehicles, had come from
Duncan
’s United Steelworkers (formerly IWA) Hall, on a long-term loan to the
museum. “They’re selling the building,”
Kaatza
Station
Museum
curator Barbara Simkins said of the United Steelworkers Hall. “We were
afraid (the material) would get lost, and this is important.” The piles of
… more
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