Benefits/Contract Matters

Contract Coordinator Randy R. Virgin

Letter Campaign Makes a Difference

                GHP Retiree Insurance Service Area Expanded

By Contract Coordinator Randy Virgin

The letter campaign we initiated in September requesting expansion of the GHP HMO Illinois service area beyond the counties of Madison and St. Clair appears to have been successful with the addition of three (3) new Illinois counties for 2008.The new service counties available for retirees are:

o       Calhoun

o       Jersey

o       Monroe

As you are aware, currently if Illinois members have coverage under GHP and liveoutside of the counties of Madison or St. Clair, they must change plans at the timeof retirement which can result in their incurring a sizable premium payment.  With the inclusion of three additional Illinois counties, more retirees will have options and possible cost savings when selecting medical insurance coverage.

Thanks again to all those who signed letters and volunteered to man the gates for this effort.

^Leo Greets Local 1899 Member in 3G Line

International President Gerard

Tours Granite City Works;

Addresses Steelworkers

By Randy Virgin

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 It was exciting to be apart of the entourage to escort International President Leo Gerard and Vice President Tom Conway through our Granite City facility on May 3^rd.  Also accompanying Leo and Tom were Sub-District Director Dave Dowling, as well as Plant General Manager Mike Fedorenko and Manager of Employee Relations Mark Tade, both of whom were very hospitable and worked closely with the Union to help make this day happen.  In addition Local 1899 and 68 presidents Russ Saltsgaver and Jeff Evans along with vice presidents Phil Chism and Tim Filkins and Local 1899 Grievance Chairman Dan Simmons accompanied the group.  The tour, beginning in Steelmaking and progressing to the Hot Strip and Triple G Line, went very well.

However, at a meeting between Company and Union representatives prior to our entering at Nash Street Gate, President Gerard made clear what many, if not all, salaried and represented employees know well: relations between the Company and the Union are not what they should be; in fact, at the plant level they are not good and hopes for improvement at this time continue to look bleak. At one point, when Gerard asked why we have this type of relationship at U.S. Steel and not at our major domestic competitor (who has basically the same collective bargaining agreement) the Company’s response was less than desired and the reasons given far from convincing.

As we made our way through the mill, Leo and Tom greeted brothers and sisters on the shop floor, in pulpits and lunch rooms, listened to their concerns and answered their questions.  To the surprise of some, when a brother in the Hot Strip told Gerard he needed to talk with him and wanted to know how he could be contacted, Leo asked for a pen and paper,  jotted down his phone number and handed it to the member.  Both Leo and Tom seemed impressed with our facility and its long proud history.

Later that evening at the Labor Temple, Gerard and Conway addressed the membership after Local 1899 conducted an abbreviated regular meeting and then opened the doors to the other locals represented at U. S. Steel.   Once again the topic was why, after four years into this contract, the parties find themselves in such an acrimonious relationship characterized by animosity and disrespect.  Members asked why they still have no right to seniority preference as clearly called for in the contract; why they are subjected to unwarranted, unjustified and belittling drug and alcohol testing; why the Company insists on an unreasonable and invisible absenteeism policy and why discipline seems to be the Company’s first response to the smallest of issues.  Everyone agreed that both the Company and the Union spend way too much time and valuable resources fighting each other, rather than finding ways to work together.  Listening to the questions and comments from members, one hardly had to wonder why it is that this proud and storied steel company has a reputation in the mill and on the street that it and its employees do not get along.  The obvious question is why would this company want to foster this culture of disrespect and bitterness?  How is this productive?  Does anyone think this is healthy?  Does it not make sense, at this time of intense global and domestic competition for dominance in the steel industry, that we all do everything we can to cultivate a workforce that is committed, loyal and dedicated?  One that is proud to be a part of something that is more than simply a means to earn a living and that desires to go above and beyond what is merely required when it comes to production, safety and creativeness?

The message from Gerard and Conway to the membership at the special meeting was clear, to the point and one that they were ready to hear.  The current situation is unacceptable; the Union’s patience is at an end.  The United Steelworkers will not allow those who want to embarrass this Union and attempt to make it look ineffective prevail – not after all that Steelworkers have gone through, not only to save the industry, but to help achieve record profits for this company.  With 2008 contract talks growing closer, the members were instructed to prepare now for what could be a tough but essential fight.

After the meeting adjourned, as Leo and Tom and Steelworkers from Locals 1899, 68 and 50 socialized over refreshments, I stood looking at the historic gathering thinking how extraordinary this day was when a fellow member approached me. “You know, I want to be proud that I work for U. S. Steel,” the 20 year Granite City Steel employee said, “but they make it really hard; I mean they show us no respect…I guess next year it’ll be our turn to show them…” In the interest of all concerned, I hope that won’t be necessary.

***

^Leo Presents Becker Commemoration to 1899

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ACTIVE MEMBERS LOBBY FOR RETIREE INSURANCE

By Contract Coordinator Randy Virgin

Members of Locals 1899 and 68 recently participated in a lobbying campaign on behalf of retirees by signing letters at the plant gates.  More than 1,000 letters were signed by members requesting the Company look into the matter of limited service area access for retirees under the Group Health Plan (GHP) HMO.  This is an alternative heath care plan offered in place of the contractually negotiated one.

As many of you have heard, active members who live outside of Madison and St. Clair County must terminate their insurance coverage under GHP when they retire and switch to the Company’s Blue Cross/Blue Shield Plan due to the restricted two county service area in Illinois.  There currently is no monthly premium cost for the GHP Plan, while the premium cost for a retiree and spouse (both non-Medicare eligible) for the BC/BS Plan is $403.00.  

 In signing the letters, to be mailed to corporate headquarters, members wanted to make both U. S. Steel and GHP aware of their concern regarding the limited service area and the financial burden this requirement puts on current and prospective retirees.  The letters respectfully requested that the parties look into the matter and attempt to find a way to offer a larger insurance coverage region under the Group Heath Plan for retirees who live in Illinois.

 In addition, the locals mailed the letter to current retirees along with postage paid envelopes addressed to U. S. Steel, and asked that they sign and mail them to corporate headquarters in order to take part in the lobbying effort as well.

 Thanks to all those who signed letters and to the volunteers who manned the tables at the gates.  Members will be kept apprised of any developments.   

Contract Matters

Send questions or topics you’d like addressed in “Contract Matters”  to: contractcoord@local1899.org 

Most members are aware of U. S. Steel’s requirement that employees whose spouse works a minimum of thirty-two (32) hours per week and is eligible to participate in their employer’s group health plan enroll for such coverage. This includes medical, prescription drug, dental and vision care. 

Members should remember however, that this cost is partially refundable, but only if you submit a claim for reimbursement.  The claim form can be obtained at Local 1899’s Administrative Office (Labor Temple) or from the Company’s Benefits Office. 

To receive reimbursement, your spouse must pay heath care premiums in excess of $30 per month and their employer must contribute towards the cost of such coverage. Once you have submitted your claim, U. S. Steel will reimburse you for the monthly premium amount paid in access of $30.  You may file for reimbursement on  a quarterly basis, if you’d like, but you cannot file later than June 30^th of the year following the year in which the premiums apply.  In addition to completing the claim form, your spouse will need to include a copy of a year-to-date pay stub showing the deducted health care premiums.  If your spouse’s premiums are deducted on a pre-tax basis, the premium reimbursement is taxable income to you and will be treated as such when it is paid. You will be notified by mail, normally three pay periods in advance, as to when you can expect your reimbursement to be included on your regular payroll check.  The reimbursement will be identified on your pay stub as either “SP INS REF TX” – indicating your refund was taxed – or “SP INS REF NT” – which indicates the refund was not taxed when paid to you.  This determination will depend on the information you provide to USS when completing the working spouse reimbursement claim form.

Filing for spousal insurance premium reimbursement can mean major savings in your family’s heath care costs.  Remember to file no later than June 30^th of this year for 2006 paid premiums.  If you have questions concerning insurance premium reimbursement call 618-452-1899.