September 2009 Golden Lodge News

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Volume 56, No. 8 September 2009

Joe Hoagland

President

Most of us have been through

this before, some of us many times.

Most of us have seen negotiations in

many different ways. Some have

started early and have been conclud-

ed early; others have started two or

three months from expiration of the

existing contract. And now, here we

are, starting only one month out.

It is difficult to be timely with our

monthly newsletter because of the

lag for printing and mailing. But as we

go to press, there have been several

bargaining sessions with the Compa-

ny.

The bargaining process normally

starts slowly. Job Evaluation and lo-

cal departmental issues are usually

taken care of early in the process.Although your vigilance is your

duty as an involved union member,

your patience and trust are needed

and appreciated. Were not buying a

car or haggling over the price of

some item at a flea market.

We pledge to keep you informed

in as timely a fashion as is possible.

We may not always provide updates

Negotiations start slowly;members patience needed

in the plants as quickly as you would

like. Check our blogspot on the In-

ternet at:

www.uswa1123.blogspot.com

We have had a good response onour efforts to update membership in-

formation and compile email ad-

dresses. If you want to stay in-

formed, we can put you on our email

list. Send your requests to:

[email protected]

TRA petition

At press time, there still has been

no determination rendered on our

petition for Trade Adjustment Assis-

tance. We will post the decision on

our blogspot when we receive it.

Riffles appreciative

A special thanks and congratu-

lations to Vice President Paul

Muller and Trustee Jim (Hip) Sch-

weitzer on a successful Second An-nual Poker Run. It was a good route

and a great ride!

The proceeds this year went to

one of our members, Rick Riffle.

One may not find a more apprecia-

tive family than the Riffles.

There is more information on

what happened to Rick, and his long

road back to recovery elsewhere in

this issue.

Rick Riffle and his daughter Melissa greet riders at the Golden Lodge parking lot prior

to the Second Annual Poker Run. Rick was seriously injured on the job at the Gamb Stee

Plant in January. After seven months in six different hospitals, he is now at home and

continuing his rehab. Proceeds from the event will help defray some of his living costs.


2/12

September 20092

As I write this article, the Sec-

ond Annual Poker Run is now less

than two weeks old and already a

number of you have called and com-

mented on the success and the fun

you had as a participant, and have

asked to be notified for next years

run.

Not even the undesirable weath-

er that morning kept you away. We

had 182 registered riders that day. If

you havent heard, the Poker Run

was an absolute success, and the

monies generated went to assist the

Rick Riffle family with some of the

needs that they have as Rick is re-

covering from his very severe acci-dent in the shop.

It was not a pretty start for those

of us who started out early. We hit

rain at Bolivar and throughout the

rest of the run. We were wet and

cold at the end, but were warmed by

the success of what we did.

When you look at the series of

pictures on the other pages, you will

see some happy, dedicated riders.We were able to provide some food

and entertainment, door prizes etc.,

that helped to raise the funds that we

donated to the Riffle family.

A number of individuals donated

their prizes back to the family. It

shows the generosity of ALL those

that participated. Rick and his family

Paul Muller

Vice President

came out and greeted some of the

riders earlier that day as they left to

start the run, and were present at theend of the run to greet the riders as

they arrived, and stayed to wish the

riders well at the end of the event.

There were some emotional mo-

ments for us all, and Rick showed his

appreciation by being with us right to

the end. I believe we all shared the

warm feeling of being family that day,

and doing what we as family do for

each other.I want to emphasize that it was a

success not just because of those

that rode the route that day, but also

the number of people that took col-

lections, helped with the work, or

donated to the cause, and in their

own way helped to make it a suc-

cess.

The Riffle family has asked that

we pass on their heart-felt thanks toall of us, and commented on how

much Rick and his family feel a part

of a large Union family.

There were riders from all over

the area. A number of different

Unions participated and many of the

residents in the area also came out to

support us in this run.

There is no way for me to per-

sonally thank each and every one of

you; I hope this article does that.

There are a number of people that Iowe personal thanks, and if I miss

one please consider yourself includ-

ed.

To Jim (Hippie) Schweitzer and

his wife Gail for the efforts to arrange

and organize this run, without whose

help I could not have managed. To

Keith Strobelt for his work in obtain-

ing door prizes, and working a stop.

Ron Roberts for all his help at the endof the run. Terry Nill, Mike Korns,

Ed Korns, Joe and Edie Erwin, for

working the stops along the way. To

the proprietors of Rockys in Boli-

var, the Touraine Club in Newcom-

erstown, to the owners of Moose Is-

land outside of Uhrichsville, and

again this year to the Sommerdale

Inn in Sommerdale for their end of

run hospitality.

To all the businesses that donat-

ed door prize gifts, and Mike Poole

for donating an American Made

leather Harley jacket that drew many

into purchasing a chance to win.

Poker Run benefits injuredGolden Lodge member

Pictured are some of the bikes in the Golden Lodge parking lot, as the riders register for

the Second Annual Poker Run Sunday, August 23.


3/12

September 2009 3

To all of you that were a part of

this whether it was passing the word,

putting out flyers, or donating to the

run, thanks again.

Last, but not least, on a personal

note to my wife, who also gave of her

time in keeping the food line going,

and for being dedicated enough toride with me in the cold, and the rain,

to help me stay dedicated to the task

of making this a successful run, when

it would have been easier for her to

stay warm and dry at home. Thanks

Sharon. The success of this run has

already started us thinking of plans

and preparation for the Third Annual

Poker Run. We can only hope that

the future runs will be as successful asthe past two. Thank you all again for

your help and participation.

George The Animal Peters, Dept. 752, rides in at the end of the Second Annual Poker

Run. George was one of about 180 participants who braved the rainy weather to help a union

brother. Proceeds of the event were given to Rick Riffle, who was severely injured in an

accident at Gamb Steel.

GOLDEN LODGE NEWS

GOLDEN LODGE NEWS STAFF

Tom Sponhour, Editor

Joe Hoagland, Managing Editor

Ron Roberts, Associate Editor

Chris Tunney, Associate Editor

LOCAL 1123 OFFICERS

Joe Hoagland, PresidentPaul Muller, Vice President

Pat Eslich, Recording Secretary

Joey Shearer, Financial Secretary

Kathy Boyd, Treasurer

James Schweitzer, Trustee

Susie Camper, Trustee

Keith Strobelt, Trustee

Paul McKenzie, Guide

Bill Webler, Outside Guard

Bob Seward, Inside Guard

Published monthly, except July, by

the United Steelworkers, Golden Lodge

Local 1123, AFL-CIO, in the interest of

its members and to further the aims andprograms of the Union. USW Local 1123

represents bargaining unit workers at the

Canton, Gambrinus, and Faircrest plants

of The Timken Company.

USW Golden Lodge Local 1123

1234 Harrison Ave. S.W.

Canton, OH 44706

(330) 454-6137

Fax (330) 454-3461

Email - [email protected]

Dear Golden Lodge members,

Words just cant express how amazing the day of the Poker Run

was.

Thank you to Hip Schweitzer and Paul Muller for organizing this

event, along with their wives, they did a wonderful job.

Thank you to the members who were so gracious to donate doorprizes, food, 50/50 and their time.

God was sure with Rick and his family the night of Jan. 18th, and

every day since then. If you would have asked me seven months

ago that Rick would be home and doing outpatient rehab and walk-

ing with a walker, I myself would not have believed it. Rick is get-

ting stronger every day. Next summer, Rick will be back riding his

Harley motorcycle and some day helping someone else in need.

This money will help Rick in his recovery.

Please continue all thoughts and prayers towards Ricks recov-

ery. God Bless each and every one of you.

The Union has proved we are one big family.

Thank you so much. Stay tuned to our website for daily accom-

plishments. (www.caringbridge.org/visit/rickriffle)

Sincerely,

The Riffle Family

Rick, Connie, Melissa, Chad


4/12

September 20094

A few months ago, the Company

began reducing their salaried work-

force. That week was colorfully re-

ferred to as Sopranos Week, due

to all the salaried personnel being

whacked, and escorted out, off

their jobs.

Most recently, another round ofcuts for management, allegedly in-

cluding benefit reductions, pay cuts

of four hours a week, and the remov-

al of their matching contribution totheir 401(k) plans. Remember, the

less senior folks had already lost their

defined pension plans years ago.

And, being the good soldiers that

they are, our management was very

vocal in letting us hear about all their

despair.

Of course, we reminded them of

a couple of things; a reduction in their

salary means more money left forbargaining unit employees, and sec-

ondly, it sounded to us like they

could use a good Union!

As all of this is happening, we

have to ask ourselves, if this is how

the Company treats their salaried

people, and remember, they LIKE

them, what do they think about us?

Lets read and find out. On their

website, under the Alloy Steel &Steel Components page, it says,

Associates in our steelmaking facili-

ties have a relentless focus on in-

creasing efficiency while improving

quality.

In our interplant Steel News on

Page 7 this month, it states:

Every associate should take

pride in knowing that his or her ef-

forts help contribute to the plantachieving the Foundation of Quality

Excellence Award.

Timken whacks theirsalaried personnel

By Chris Tunney

Associate Editor

More money now left for hourly employees?


5/12

September 2009 5

The Company praises our efforts

in their own Quality Policy, posted

throughout each facility. They even

boasted about us on a full page ad in

the Program for the local Football

Hall of Fame Balloon Festival. It

takes teamwork to improve the

world around you. .we work to-

gether to achieve excellence in all we

do.

The best part is Article XV, on

page B-139, in our current Basic La-

bor Agreement. Paragraph A states,

The Company and the Union have a

long-standing relationship which

benefits both parties. The Company

places high value on the continuation

and improvement of its relationshipwith the Union.

As we move through these clos-

ing weeks of our current agreement,

let us take the Company at their

word. We are holding our heads

high, bargaining in good faith, and

negotiating for a fair share of our well

deserved slice of the pie.

If we stay united, educate our-

selves on the National Labor Laws

that may affect us, and receive accu-

rate communications in an effective

and timely manner, we will prevail.This is our recipe for success.

Staying informed, staying positive,

and staying involved, because it is

our future. Listening to our Union

leadership, dont feed the rumor mill,

and above all, do not fall prey to the

divide and conquer strategy by

bickering with each other.

Let us stand tall, look them

straight in the eye, and ask for whatwe truly deserve. We deserve their

respect, their appreciation, and ulti-

mately, a fair contract for all.

We are the skilled labor force

that provides the quality products to

our thankful customers.Without us, without our exper-

tise, without our knowledge and ex-

perience, there would not be any

customers. No customers means no

profits, no dividends, and no future.

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass

said, If there is no struggle, there is

no progress.

No one said it would be easy.

However, we must collectively step

up to the task, remembering that

even though we cannot change the

direction of the wind, we can adjust

our sails to always reach our destina-

tion.

By utilizing the tools available tous, including education, awareness,

and by staying involved, this will lead

to empowerment, as the stakehold-

ers of our own futures.

Leading with a willingness to co-

operate and having a positive atti-

tude is our formula for a productive

environment to reach our ultimate

goal. A fair contract for all.

September 28

2005

Basic Labor Agreement expiresOctober 7

Regular Union Meeting

7:30 p.m.

October 14

Stewards Classes

9: 00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

October 21

Regular Union Meeting

9: 00 a.m.January 1, 2010

2005Pension Agreement expires


6/12

September 20096

The 2005 Basic Labor Agreement expires on September 28, 2009. If

there is no agreement reached by then, and if there would be a work stoppage,

the 2005 Pension Agreement does not expire until the end of the year.

Language in the Pension Agreement under Article VI, Paragraph E, Page

P-60, states, In the event of a strike at the termination of the 2005 Basic La-

bor Agreement, the operation of this Pension Agreement shall not be suspend-

ed during the period of such strike until the termination of this Pension Agree-

ment.

This means, if you are eligible to retire, you may retire anytime up

until the December 31, 2009 expiration of the Pension Agreement.

Also, concerns are surfacing about the Special Retirement Payment,

sometimes called severance pay. That issue is covered under Article II, Para-

graph D, Page P-21. a special retirement payment from the Pension Fund

in an amount determined by multiplying the recipients average straight-time

hourly rate during his last two (2) completed pay periods prior to his retire-

ment by the appropriate hours shown below as applicable to each recipient:

Years of continuous service on date of retirement Multiplying hours

5 years to 18 years 400

18 years and over 360Generally, overtime has no affect on increasing your special payment, as it

is figured using your average straight-time hourly rate. One way to roughly

gauge how much you may receive is to look at your pay stub and take your

gross pay and divide it by the bottom number of hours shown in the left column.

This should give you a very close estimate of your average hourly straight-time

rate.

The Special Pension Benefit of $400 per month is also guaranteed in the

Pension Agreement for the later of 12 months or the month a member is eligible

for 80 percent of his or her Social Security Benefit. That age is 63 for anyone

born between 1943-1954.

Pension Agreement does notexpire until Dec. 31, 2009

Members could still retire evenif there is a work stoppage in Sept. President Obama has ap-

pointed former United Steel-workers official Ron Bloom as

the administrations senior coun-

selor for manufacturing policy.

The White House said Mr.

Bloom will provide leadership

on policy development and stra-

tegic planning for Mr. Obamas

efforts to revitalize the manu-

facturing sector. He will retain

his role as senior adviser to the

secretary of the Treasury as-

signed to the Presidents Task

Force on the Automotive In-

dustry.

Last week we learned that

our manufacturing sector ex-

panded for the first time in 18

months and had the highest

monthly output in two years.

Its a sign that were on the

right track to economic recov-ery, but that we still have a long

way to go. Thats why Ive

asked Ron Bloom to help co-

ordinate my administrations

manufacturing policy, Ron has

the knowledge and experience

necessary to lead the way in

creating the good-paying manu-

facturing jobs of the future.

Prior to joining the Trea-

sury Dept. he served as specialassistant to the president of the

USW. His responsibilities in-

cluded the unions collective

bargaining program, and deal-

ing with companies facing fi-

nancial difficulties.-From the Pittsburgh

Post-Gazette

Former USW officialjoins White Houseas Manufacturing

Counselor


7/12

September 2009 7

The nations dismal job situation

continues to fall despite optimisticdeclarations by some economists

that the nation was showing signs of

pulling out of the Great Recession.

Those declarations offered little

comfort to the 25 million U.S. work-

ers without jobs or working only

part-time because they cant find

anything else.

Not helping the unemployeds

frame of mind was the view of many

experts on both left and right that the

recovery, if in fact there is one on

the horizon, will be of the jobless

variety.

That means the stock market and

business will get back on their feet

but without refilling many of the 6.7

million jobs that have disappeared

since December 2007.

Dismal job situation continues;More stimulus money needed

program has helped to slow the pace

of job loss to less than half of what itwas at the beginning of the year.

President Obamas Economic

Recovery Act has clearly slowed the

rate of job decline, Sweeney said,

but the current deep and broad eco-

nomic crisis is not going to be solved

quickly or with one shot in the arm

of economic stimulus. Much more

needs to be done.

The AFL-CIO executive council

called for a second round of stimulus

for the economy: Urgent action

from the federal government is need-

ed to boost economic growth and

jobs, and invest in Americas future,

the council declared. We need a

second installment on the Obama

Administrations economic recovery

program, and this second installment

must focus like a laser beam on job

creation.This is not the time to fret about

budget deficits or inflation, the

council cautioned. It is entirely ap-

propriate to enact policies that will

temporarily increase fiscal deficits

for a year or two in order to generate

jobs and income during this econom-

ic crisis. At this critical juncture, the

consequences of the government

failing to act on a sufficient scale, and

in the right way, could be catastroph-

ic.

Fewer than half of the officially

unemployed are receiving Unem-

ployment Compensation, and unless

Congress acts soon, another 1.5 mil-

lion jobless workers will stop getting

checks as various programs run out

of money.

And adding to the worries of

those with job woes is the view ofsome that the economy may take yet

another dive that the recovery that

may be in the works may stall as a

new wave of home foreclosures, job

losses and other factors rear their

collective head.

The official jobless rate stood

at 9.4 percent in July, down one-

tenth of one percent from June but

still expected to rise to at least 10percent by years end.

AFL-CIO President John

Sweeney, commenting on the slight

decrease in the jobless rate for July,

said things would have been signifi-

cantly worse had not the Obama ad-

ministration moved ahead with its

stimulus program. Sweeney said the


8/12

September 20098

By Jim Reed

SOAR NOTESI.W. AbelChapter

1/27

Reverse mortgages can be valu-

able as a last resort for seniors who

want to stay in their homes and have

significant equity, but need money to

supplement income or payoff an ex-

isting mortgage payment.

With a reverse mortgage, they

can trade some of that equity for a

lump sum and monthly payments.

But these loans can be terrible

for those that dont understand the

complicated rules that govern them,

and how quickly high fees and inter-

est charges can mount up.

They can end up stranded in their

homes without any remaining equity

to cover unexpected costs later in

life. Use of these loans is exploding

as lenders, who shoulder almost norisks, push them to the increasing

ranks of retired baby boomers, es-

pecially for spending on new cars,

vacations, and more.

The people making these loans,

and advertising them to seniors on

T.V., get the rewards but escape the

risks that come with them. Its going

to be another sub-prime mortgage

mess.

Loan bailouts have soared. The

annual sum of reverse mortgages

taken over by a federal insurance

fund has more than quadrupled in

four years, from $81.3 million in

2004 to $381.3 million in 2008.

Taxpayers are being tapped to sub-

sidize reverse mortgages for the first

time.

REVERSE MORTGAGES:

THE NEXT FIASCO?Reverse mortgages started outas a product to give cash-strapped

seniors supplemental income. The

loan allows people 62 and older to

cash in some of their home equity and

receive a lump sum, regular pay-

ments, or a credit line.

Existing mortgages are paid off

with a portion of proceeds. Borrow-

ers make no monthly payments, aslong as the homeowner keeps the

home in good repair and pays prop-

erty taxes and insurance.

The loan does not have to be re-

paid until the last borrower dies,

sells, or lives elsewhere for 12 con-

secutive months. If the market value

of the home is less than the loan bal-

ance when it comes due, the federal

insurance compensates the lender

for the difference.

One couples story, Frank My-

ers now 64, appealed to me because

his wife faced multiple health prob-

lems, bills were piling up, and Frank

was persuaded by a broker to seek a

reverse mortgage. There was only

one catch, Frank wasnt 62 yet, the

minimum age for obtaining a federal-

ly insured reverse mortgage. The

broker suggested Frank take hisname off the deed so that the loan

would be issued solely to his wife,

Norma, who was 68 when the loan

was closed in 2005.

After his wife died in 2007,

Frank was surprised to receive a let-

ter from the mortgage company say-

ing that her death made the mortgage

payable, and that foreclosure pro-

ceedings would begin if he did not re-

finance or pay off the mortgage.

Initially, the couple received

about $70,000 to pay off their previ-

ous mortgage, a lump sum of about

$92,000 to cover medical bills, a

new roof, and other expenses. But

closing costs of almost $15,000 plus

growing finance charges pushed the

total payoff amount to more than

$200,000.

According to Myers, the home is

now valued at only $130,000; and he

cant find money to pay off the loan.

Attempts to re-negotiate refinanc-

ing, or some other solution has been

fruitless.

HUD warns against removing a

homeowners name from a homes

deed. No matter how much a bank

lends, the transaction is almost risk-

free to them, because it is guaranteed

by the federal government through

the insurance fund.

That insurance comes into play in

certain situations, including when a

loan goes into foreclosure after thedeath of a borrower with no heirs, or

when a borrower fails to pay taxes

and insurance on the property. It can

also occur if the proceeds from the

sale of the house wont cover the

balance owed.

Borrowers pay a hefty premium

for the federal insurance backing of

these loans, up to $6,000 up front,

plus fees that equal 0.5 percent of theprinciple amount of each year, but

lenders reap the benefits.

OCTOBER LUNCHEON

Beef Tips and Noodles

Green Beans

Applesauce

Cake-Coffee


9/12

September 2009 9

Recent RetireesGolden Lodge congratulates

the following members who have

recently retired and will now enjoy

their union-negotiated retiree pen-

sion and healthcare benefits.

Just a ThoughtYou can focus on whats

Behind you, or whats

Ahead, but not both.

Federal and state legislators are

seeking stronger consumer protec-

tion for all types of reverse mortgag-

es. Legislation has been proposed at

preventing fraud, and requiring ads

for government-backed mortgages

present a balanced view of their risks

and benefits.

This country is going to be in

more trouble if lenders have the free-

dom to just sign them all up for loans

that can strip them of their nest egg,

and then stick the taxpayers with the

bill when it doesnt work out.

AT OUR SOAR MEETING

Well, it was that time of year

again. It was time for our annual pic-nic, and as always, the food was

plentiful and delicious. Attendance

was down some from last year, but it

was a good time for those that were

there.

We missed Joe Kisela, who was

Picnic Chairman for years, and did a

super job of getting things together.

His committee carried on, and his

wife Linda took over for Joe, who

passed away in April. She did awonderful job. Thanks Linda!

The newly elected President of

Golden Lodge, Joe Hoagland, at-

tended the picnic, and later briefed

the members on the upcoming nego-

tiations with The Timken Company,

which begins in September, and

some of the issues facing the union.

SOAR wishes him and the nego-

tiating team the very best, and stand

behind our union brothers and sisters

in any way we can help.

CELEBRATING BIRTH-

DAYS: Ann Raymond

CELEBRATING ANNI-

VERSARIES: Dan and Norma

Rossetti - 53 years, Gene and Jess

Payne - 42 years.

The SOAR Annual District Con-

ference will be held Monday, Octo-

ber 12, in Columbus. Any SOAR

member wishing to attend can sign up

at our regular meeting on September

1st. We are in the process of obtain-

ing a bus for the trip. The cost for the

bus has increased, and we are shop-

ping around.

The following members of Gold-en Lodge have passed away and Bi-

bles have been presented to their

families.

ROY L. BO JACKSON, 64, Dept. 71

passed away August 1, 2009. Brother Jackson

joined the Union in 1971 and retired in 2001.

CLIFTON D. VANCE, 28, 13675 Pennsylva

nia St. N.E., Alliance, passed away August 2

2009. Brother Vance joined the Union in 2008

JOHN MIRLING, JR, 87, Dept. 91, 2552

Farber St. S.E., Magnolia, passed away Augus

4, 2009. Brother Mirling joined the Union in

1946 and retired in 1972.WILBUR R. NEEL, 79, Dept. 94, 6767 Lavonne

N.E., North Canton, passed away August 5

2009. Brother Neel joined the Union in 1976

and retired in 1994.

EVA STOSIC, 89, Dept. 75, passed away

August 6, 2009. Sister Stosic joined the Union

in 1941 and retired in 1983.

BEVERLY J. ROBERTS, Dept. 75, 6041 Sky

Ridge Avenue, Louisville, passed away Augus

19, 2009. Sister Roberts joined the Union in

1969 and retired in 1995.

LYNN J. BOLE, 74, Dept. 195, 1317 South

Street, Louisville, passed away August 22, 2009

Brother Bole joined the Union in 1977 and

retired in 1998.

STEVE G. STROPKI, 89, Dept. 13, 4517-5th

St. N.W., Canton, passed away August 24

2009. Brother Stropki joined the Union in 1945

and retired in 1982.

Robert L. Bowers

David L. Braid

Vernon L. Brown

Raymond Cutts, Jr.

Alva E. Dodd

Gary E. Krider

Ann R. Lee

Alfred L. Mayle

Mitchell S. McBurney

Michael J. McCourry

William K. Miller

Richard Peters

Michael J. Sedon

Donald W. Sell

Vernon L. Shaffer

Linda J. Snyder

Dennis J. Thomas

Kenneth B. Thompson

William A. Turner, Jr.

Gregory S. Walent

Howard D. Walters

William K. Weaver

Wray E. Weisler

Terry L. Willaman

Contact Golden Lodge

by email at:

[email protected]

Questions?Comments?

Suggestions?(Address changes, too)


10/12

September 200910

in our union internationally since thelast conference a year ago. Fifty-six

hundred workers die on the job, and

there are 50,000 work related dis-

eases annually. Safety is defined as

the absence of risk.

However, as Mike Wright, Di-

rector, USW Health, Safety, & En-

vironment Department, stated,

Safety is a fundamental human right.

We will work to improve local unionsafety language, increase safety

campaigns, and fight for what we

need.

The Company has to pay for any

OSHA required PPE (personal pro-

tective equipment), and in a recent

ruling, the OSHA settlement said

that the Union has a right in safety is-

sues, and it is as binding as any BasicLabor Agreement.

Also, for the first time in 14

years, the political environment is fa-

vorable to improve health and safety

work rules.

The newly appointed OSHA of-

ficials vowed to create a mission to

protect workers from airborne dis-

eases, reinstate ergonomic laws re-

cently removed, rebuild andstrengthen the foundation in health

and safety worker rights, update

permissible exposure limits, and out-

law blaming the worker policies.

Also, there was a new emphasis

on the justice and dignity language. A

reoccurring theme throughout the

week included our position on the

Golden Lodge member John Sommerreceives I.W. Abel Safety Award

HSP Melt Shop Melting Controller John Sommer, center, holds the I.W. Able Award he

was presented at the USW Health, Safety, and Environment Conference in Houston, Texas

August 20. John assisted Helen Kearns, who had been injured and was lying in molten meta

after Number 9 Furnace exploded. John extinguished the flames on her clothing, then lifted

and carried her to safety. On the left is Safety and Health Specialist John Alexander, and

on the right is Health, Safety and Environment Director Mike Wright.

USW Health, Safety & Environment Conference

During the week of August 17,

the United Steelworkers held their

2009 Health, Safety, and Environ-

ment Conference in Houston, Texas.

Golden Lodge Safety Representa-

tives Sean Els and I were in atten-

dance, as well as 700 additional

brothers and sisters from around the

country and Canada.

We were then joined by our

management safety professionals,

for an intense week-long program,

which included many guest speak-

ers, influential politicians, new

OSHA directors, our own Interna-

tional officers, and various work-

shops for all to attend.

The late summers heat and hu-

midity did not dampen the coopera-tive atmosphere created by our vi-

sionary leadership. We are very

lucky to have been at the forefront of

training, as we learned that the USW

had their first environmental confer-

ence way back in 1963.

Many topics were addressed,

and as each day ended, union-only

and joint caucuses were held in the

evenings. At each plenary session,the speakers motivated the crowds,

fueling the passionate membership in

attendance to become engaged and

empowered stakeholders in our own

futures.

Of the many speakers, many

topics, and overwhelming amount of

information, a few items need to be

addressed. We have had 41 deaths

By Chris TunneySafety & Health Committee


11/12

September 2009 1

companys behavior-based safety

plans and our fix the hazard - dont

blame the worker platform.

We also learned about removing

the barriers to safety improvement

that are human-based. An example

is that we use bargaining to negotiateconditions of employment, and post-

injury drug testing is an example of a

condition of our employment.

Sadly, it is cheaper to focus on

the injured brother or sister, than to

re-engineer the hazard out of the

process.

Changes are coming, as we

heard that the days of employees

getting hurt or killed on the job asjust doing business, are over!

John Sommer presented

USW I.W. Abel Award

The two most notable events

during our comprehensive week of

classes and speeches were the pre-

sentation of the I.W. Able Award to

our own HSP Melt Shop Melting

Controller John Sommer, and USW

President Leo Gerards commentsto all in attendance.

The award, established during

I.W. Abels USWA presidency, is

given to a member who has demon-

strated a willingness to sacrifice him-

self for his fellow workers.

Mr. Sommer assisted Helen

Kearns, who had been injured and

was lying in molted metal after Num-

ber 9 Furnace exploded.John extinguished the flames on

her clothing, lifted and carried her to

safety. John said at the conference,

Its really no big deal; its just look-

ing out for my fellow workers.

Great job, John, and congratula-

tions on receiving the I.W. Abel

Safety Award for 2009.

I.W. Abel, born in Magnolia,

Ohio, was one of our founding fa-

thers. In 1936, Abel found work at

the Timken Roller Bearing Company

and with the assistance of the Steel

Workers Organizing Committee

(SWOC) organized Steel Workers

Local 1123.

He remained a member of the lo-

cal until his death. He proved an ef-

fective and strong negotiator and

union president, and in one year

alone led 42 wildcat strikes. Abel

was sworn in as USWA president on

June 2, 1965. He was a vigorous

proponent of workplace health and

safety and worked to help pass the

Occupational Safety and Health Actin 1970.

Gerard captivates audience

President Gerard captivated the

audience with antidotes, stories, and

his passionate agenda for the future.

Starting at the beginning, when com-

panies said things like, you cant

have good jobs and clean air and

you cant have good jobs and a

clean environment, his responsewas, let me tell you, if we dont have

both, we wont have either! .

His message was clear, educa-

tion, knowledge without power is

simply frustration, knowledge to

see the hazard, courage to confront

the hazard, and the strength to elimi-

nate the hazard.

Companies mentality is that they

know what is safe for us, and at thebargaining table, ignoring us

doesnt mean its over, nor will it

make us go away!

As a proponent of healthcare re-

form, by spreading the risk, generat-

ing a larger risk pool, will reduce

costs. Also, the industry lobbyists

and right wing zealots are spending

$2 to $4 million a day fighting health-

care reforms. Imagine how much

companies could reinvest when

health care costs are reduced from

the current $7.50 per hour to the

$3.00 per hour under the new plan

being proposed.Touching on the deregulated

trade issues, since the USA owes

China $1.5 trillion in trade debt, a

deregulated financial market, which

is like a three-year-old in a candy

store, to the environment and vi-

sionary green jobs of our future.

So what does all this have to do

with health and safety? If you dont

have a job, you are not very safe.

Silence wont keep your job, si-

lence wont help your community,

and silence cant get legislation

passed through Congress. Silence

wont guarantee a future for our

kids.

Thank you President Gerard. As

your front-line union activists, we will

carry out your mission, spread your

message, and as you closed your

speech, be strong, be proud, and beloud. Guaranteed.

August 5 Meeting

Joe Ferrel

Jim Beneleit

Daryl Bracken

*Trish Hostetler**Lum Kennan

August 19 Meeting

Andy Schneider

**Terry Bressler

**Darryl Crum

**Rick Metzgar

**David Huberty

*Donated to Meals on Wheels

**Donated to Rick Riffle


12/12

S t b 200912

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On August 13 an informational rally was held at the Golden Lodge. On that

day salary personnel were melting a heat of steel down the road at the Harrison

Melt Shop while the bargaining unit employees in that area were laid off.Union members from the USW, IBEW, Ironworkers, Plumbers and

Pipefitters, CWA , OAPSE/AFSCME and others, turned out to hear Presi-

dent Hoagland speak about the long and productive history between the

Union and The Timken Company.

Joe spoke of the 20 years of labor peace enjoyed by both parties. He stat-

ed that the companys actions of having salary personnel operate the tools and

equipment of our occupations did not help the bargaining process. Joe re-

minded the crowd our members were on the taxpayers dole while the Com-

pany obviously had work for them. Work they were ready and willing to do.

USW Local 1123 wishes to thank the members of the unions present fortheir show of solidarity.

Members rally to protestsalary melting at Harrison

September 2009 Golden Lodge News

Documents

Transcript of September 2009 Golden Lodge News