Download - 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:
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.
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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.
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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:
Questions?Comments?
Suggestions?(Address changes, too)
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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
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8/14/2019 September 2009 Golden Lodge News
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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
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8/14/2019 September 2009 Golden Lodge News
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S t b 200912
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teelworke rsLocal1123,GoldenLodge
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234HarrisonAve.SW
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anton,OH44706
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CANTON,
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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