LOCAL UNION 1899 - GRANITE CITY, IL
President’s Page
President Dan Simmons
The Local Update
“Timely News and Information from the Plant”
Only Laid off Members Need Attend TGAA Meeting March 17th
Members recently received notice from the Illinois Department of Employment Security regarding a special meeting to apply for benefits under the Trade & Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act. This is in response to the Union’s successful application for such assistance for its members which was initiated during last year’s lay off. Only currently laid off members need to attend this meeting to be held at the Labor Temple on Wednesday, March 17th at 10:00 a.m. Benefits under TGAA/TRA include extended unemployment payments, training, tuition paid schooling and increased COBRA subsidy assistance. Employees who are back at work are eligible for these benefits for up to 2 years from the date which we were certified in December 2009 if they were to become unemployed again in the future.
Please Let Us Know if You Would Attend SPT Informational Meeting
As earlier reported the Locals at GCW, after receiving a number of calls inquiring about the letter received from the Steelworkers Pension Trust (SPT) regarding their request for an amortization extension, attempted to schedule an informational meeting during the month of February on the status of the fund.
Arranging this meeting has proven to be more difficult than had been expected due to scheduling conflicts. Since then inquiries have seemed to slow and so now we need to know if we do schedule an SPT informational meeting what kind of turnout can we expect. We will be happy to do so provided there are enough members interested in attending. Please let us know, call 618-452-1899 (Ext. 27) so we can assess interest and get an estimate on attendance. Thanks.
Members Returning from Coke & Iron Making Next Week
18 of the 23 Local 1899 members assigned to the Blast Furnace are returning to the Steelworks side. The remaining five are to return once the latest group of new hires for Local 50 complete their break-in period in approximately 3 weeks as there is a minimal two week Coke Oven orientation period. Members coming back will be assigned to their incumbent departments.
Watch Out for New Members in the Plant
We were all there once; that is new hires in the mill, and it can be pretty intimidating. Steelworkers are known for watching out for each other and that’s especially true for new members. During the ½ day Union Orientation Program we tell new members that their fellow Brothers and Sisters are eager to help them and to make sure they stay safe. So please do your part when you see a new Steelworker in your department. New employees are designated by a green stripe on their orange hard hats.
Cold Strip Mill to be Up & Running Soon
The long shuttered Cold Mill will be operational soon, as maintenance forces are currently in the progress of repairing and refurbishing the department for possible start up the week of March 21st. 5-turn level production is expected on the Pickle Line, 10-turns on the Cold Strip to support a 20-turn operation on the GGG. GCW will be melting and casting our own slabs to support this operation.
Steelmaking Very Successful in Trail
The Steelmaking Department was very successful in making the new HIC steel heats. HIC steel is a product that is resistant to cracking caused by hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide. This product is made for line pipe for use in the oil and natural gas industry. Demand for this product is increasing. Congratulations to all involved in this successful effort. Keep up the outstanding work!
Learner Program Testing Announced
GCW Learner Program testing will be held Tuesday, March 16, 2010 for Mechanical and Electrical Technician Learner postions. In order to accomodate shift work, both tests will be offered at 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Testing will be hels at the AMVETS Hall, Post 204, Kennedy Drive in Madison, Illinois. To register you must call Tara at ext. 3855 before Noon March 15th.
New Members Arriving; Nearly 60 to be Hired this Month
New members are arriving every other week this month as the Company has begun once again accepting employment applications at GCW. All but two of the first group of 19 were previous Steelworkers who had broken service while on layoff. These prior members were brought back by the insistence of the Local leadership that they be returned prior to accepting any applicants off the street. Incidentally, we received more than a few calls and comments from senior members expressing their concerns that those members who severed service be offered re-employment before new applicants were accepted. That’s solidarity… thumbs up to them! This initial group has been assigned to the Blast Furnace and are members of Local 50. We will be having 20 members join the ranks of Local 1899 this week, seven of which had previous service that had been broken. We are expecting a third group of new members the week of February 21st. The Locals provide a four hour Union orientation for all new hires at the Labor Temple. We have learned USS has presently discontinued accepting applications for production workers but is still taking applicants for maintenance positions.
GCW Hiring for Maintenance Position
Posted: 2/04/10
U. S. Steel is currently accepting applications for the position of Maintenance Technician at Granite City Works.
Primary Responsibilities & Requirements:
Position Title: Maintenance Technician - Mechanical
Performs maintenance functions (mechanical or electrical/electronic) necessary to maintain all operating and service equipment using standard and specialized tools and equipment including mobile equipment as required. Operates equipment in conjunction with repairs and provides assistance in operating functions as necessary to maintain continuity of operations. May work alone, with minimal supervision or with other Maintenance Technicians and coordinates and works in conjunction with operating team members in the performance of maintenance tasks.
Work Environment:
The job is within a heavy industrial environment and you may be required to work within various areas of the mill. Dependent upon the area you will work in, the environmental conditions can be hot, cold, dirty, greasy, wet, and noisy.
Position requires you to work rotating shifts, which will include Saturdays and Sundays. The position also requires you to work overtime as needed.
Overwhelming Response Closes App-site for UP Position
The Local has been informed that the application link at the USS website for the position of Utility Person has been closed due to an overwhelming response by applicants. The Company is, however, continuing to accept apllications for the position of Maintenance Technician.
__________________________________________________________________
To Apply for Employment at USS:
Click Link Below:
www.ussteel.appone.com
_________________________________________________________________
COBRA Assistance Extended for Laid Off Members
The 2010 defense appropriations bill (H.R. 3326), signed by the President on December 21, 2009, includes an extension of the eligibility period for premium assistance under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The current premium subsidy eligibility period was scheduled to end on December 31, 2009, and has now been extended to February 28, 2010. In addition, the nine months of premium reduction has been increased to 15 months under the extension.
Workers who are involuntarily terminated from their jobs (assistance-eligible individuals) and are eligible for COBRA health insurance coverage, are responsible for 35 percent of the premium versus the total premium as is typically the case.
This premium assistance is part of the federal stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), enacted last February.
The Local met with the Company today Thursday November 5 over manning in response to the idling of the A Blast Furnace and expected production cutbacks. Little to no information was obtained other than that there will be no layoff on the Steelworks side affecting Local 1899 members next week. We were told that production and manning matters are fluid at this time and can change weekly. The Company representatives said that manpower meetings will be held weekly and decisions made accordingly. The Local will certainly keep members informed as to production and operational news as we receive it.
The parties have reached mutual agreement regarding the facts of the case concerning the original SUB pay issue which some members experienced when the first layoff occurred last year. This will allow the parties to now proceed to resolve the case per the hearing of briefs (as it is a contractual language interpretation dispute). You will remember the Local grieved the issue of the Company paying everyone SUB benefits at Box 1 rate of pay when they were laid off in 2008 regardless of which box they were working at the time of lay off. The Company’s position was that they “reduced” everybody to Box 1 and then laid them off, which the Local disputed. Now that the parties have reached agreement in how the case will be heard, briefs will be prepared and submitted to resolve the issue.
Last Chance Agreement Issue Resolved
The International has recently cleared up the issue regarding language that the Company inserts in Last Chance Agreements (LCAs) entered into following the 2008 contract. Language was added in bargaining that specified that no longer would any and all discipline an employee received while on an LCA constitute a violation of the terms of the LCA. Prior to bargaining, that was not the case. Now, only citable discipline within an employee’s work history, agreed to by the parties, can be used. Going forward, LCAs will have the provision which the Company relied on referencing all discipline, removed and any LCA signed by an employee after September 2008 to date will be amended by letter from the Company so as to be in compliance with the new guidelines.
Company's SUB Pay Policy Finally Determined
The Company has informed the Local of their position, which they had been reevaluating, regarding whether SUB pay benefits start over at their original duration of weeks and level for each instance of layoff. The Local and International’s position is that each time a member is laid off, their SUB pay restarts at the initial benefit percentage and weekly duration. The Company informed the Local today that SUB benefits weeks are a finite number for the life of the contract and an employee does not start over at the original weekly duration level each time they are laid off. The Local is planning to grieve the matter.
Hair Testing Arbitration Case Pending
The Company and Union continue to try to reach agreement regarding hearing of the arbitration case on hair follicle testing of members recalled from layoff. Mutual agreement to take the case out of order to expedite resolution has hit a snag as the Company has voiced objection to the remedy sought by the Union, which if the Union prevails, would repeal Last Chance Agreements issued to those improperly tested. The Union is considering taking the case through the regular arbitration process so as not to be obligated by a remedy agreement.
Veeder Clearance upon Return for Some Call Offs
The Company has recently started a policy of requiring members to be cleared through Veeder Health Center when returning to work after certain types of call offs, irrespective of the number of days missed. This policy only applies in cases where an employee reports off for reasons such as an injury or condition such as a sprained ankle, back pain, etc. where the Company wants to verify the employee is able to return to work and capable of performing assigned duties. In addition, the Company is probably concerned about liability in such cases. If members are instructed to report to Veeder for absences of less than three days not involving the type of cases described, or if pay issues arise resulting from this process, please contact the Grievance Office (618-452-3400).
FROM THE PRESIDENT
United Steelworkers Union Voices Support for Maryville Dispatchers
– District 7
The United Steelworkers Union is voicing support for four police dispatchers in Maryville, Illinois. The dispatchers face layoffs if Maryville contracts with Glen Carbon to combine the police dispatch function. The U.S.W. has concerns for the safety of citizens in Maryville and questions the overall need. Village President of Maryville Larry Gulledge called the plan to consolidate "very preliminary." He says he's heard of the concerns raised by the steel workers and promised "no hasty decision would be made." Gulledge said "alot will … more
Maryville May Use Outside Dispatchers; Workers Had Unionized Several Months Ago
– District 7
Maryville is considering outsourcing its police and fire dispatchers, just months after the dispatchers voted to unionize. Maryville Police Chief Rich Schardan confirmed that the village has opened discussions with Glen Carbon to outsource its police, fire and emergency dispatch services to the village next door as a cost-saving measure. "We hate to see dispatchers lose their jobs, everyone feels that way," Schardan said, "but the economy the way it is right now, they're looking at cost-cutting ideas." Schardan said the Maryville … more
U.S. slaps duties on steel pipe from China
The United States on Wednesday imposed preliminary duties ranging from 11 to 13 percent on steel pipe from China to offset government subsidies, the Commerce Department said. The decision puts further strain on U.S.-China trade relations, already tested by disputes over other U.S. trade actions and China's currency policy. It is a victory for U.S. Steel Corp (X.N) and the United Steelworkers union, which filed a petition in October asking for protection against the Chinese imports. Texas company V&M Star LP and Illinois company TMK … more
US Steel recalls workers back to Lorain plant – District 1
MA union official says United States Steel Corp. has begun recalling laid-off workers at its factory in Lorain, which makes steel tubes used for gas and oil pipelines. More than 400 were put out of work when the factory halted production last year. The move came soon after Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel and several other American steel companies accused Chinese pipe makers of unfairly undercutting American producers. In response, the U.S. government imposed tariffs on Chinese pipe imports in November. Dan Voorhees, vice president … more
Solis Backs Employee Free Choice
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis says workers face increasing obstacles when they try to form unions and “we need to restore their freedom to do so.” In testimony before the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee today, Solis looked back at the department’s actions in 2009 and forward to its 2010 agenda. In reiterating the Obama administration’s support for the Employee Free Choice Act, Solis said: I will work to ensure that workers’ rights will be protected. In order to rebuild the middle class, we need to level the playing field and restore fair … more