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 Click here for the latest Griever election information.
February 10, 2010

Hello again,

Just an update of where we are at.  We continue to have a back and forth about incentives.  We are meeting three times each week and sometimes more about return to work issues including release dates.  Some East Side jobs are critical to their operations and we need to have the holes filled for our people to return without a shutdown there.  We continue to address the questions and issues we are receiving.

For now I want to report that the Sinter Plant is not in the plans for a startup. 

It does appear that a large percentage of our (West) members will be returning.  As I stated earlier, there are many issues to be resolved.  When more develops you will be notified.

Fraternally,

Tom Tyrka

President
Local # 1011
U.S.W.

 
February 5, 2010

It is good again to be able to report to you that the pendulum is swinging our way.  Crafts have been recalled to the Iron and Steel Producing facilities and we are in the process of calling back production.  Most of you may have received a call from the Hall asking if you wanted to return to the West Side plant or remain at the East.  We are also contacting VLO's and ILO's in order to get a handle of what our needs will be.  If anyone knows of someone who hasn't heard anything or has their phone disconnected or number changed please let the Griever or the Hall know so they can be contacted.  At present we cannot contact 9 people.  It appears that most employees will return to the West Side Plant.

We continue to work on a interim incentive plan and I Hope to have something soon. 

Please remember that there are many issues to be worked out and I will get them to you as soon as possible.  If you have questions I urge you to contact your Griever or Asst. Griever.  We continue to give them updates as they come in.

Looking forward to seeing everyone back to work as soon as possible.  Remember, when back to keep your focus on Safety. 

Fraternally,

Tom Tyrka

President
Local # 1011
U.S.W.

 
January 29, 2010

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

Finally, things are very busy and for the right reasons.  At present the Local is calling people on Lay off, VLO and West to East transfers for info on weather they are intending to return to work here or remain at the East side, retire or who have found another job.  The call back will be by seniority and on an as needed basis.  This means that if you are transferred and receive a call it is to find out if you intend to return to the West side.  We are currently working on a start up incentive agreement.  There are many issues to be addressed and worked out.  We continue to meet with the company to work through any problems that may arise.  We intend to have a better start up than Cleveland did.

As news becomes available we will notify.

Thank you all for your patience and support during these trying times.

Fraternally,

Tom Tyrka
President
Local # 1011
U.S.W.

 
January 20, 2010
 

Good news for laid off and transfers

The company has informed Local # 1011 of their intent to restart the Iron making and Steel Producing Departments on the West side of Indiana Harbor.  We will be working with them to develop recall and maning plans in the near future.  There are many issues we need to work through as this develops.  Further information will be posted as it becomes available.  Feel free to contact your Department Reps, Griever or the Hall for further updates as we work through this new information.

Fraternally,

Tom Tyrka
President
Local # 1011
USW

 

January 15, 2010

First I need to address the rumor issue.  There have been so many floating around lately that it would take forever to address them all.  First of all, the Blast Furnace is not scheduled for start up now. The answer from the company is: They are waiting to see if orders and the economy dictate a start up that they feel is sustainable.  Remember, things change from day to day.

The issue of postings has become a big concern.  Remember if you sign an East side posting your window of keeping or denying a job is thirty (30) calendar days.  If you have a West side posting it is thirty working turns. 

We continue to discuss the primary incentive.  It is a difficult and long process and we are working to get it done as soon as possible. 

At present our numbers on ILO continue to go down but that number is deceiving due to so many transfers (postings) to the East side.

One more thing, please remember not to leave early.  We have had several cases of what the company considers time card fraud.  Whenever there is a slowdown it appears they are looking for reasons to fire people.  Lets not give them that opportunity.

Hopefully I can have good news in the near future.  We continue to persue the issue of having everyone back and working with the intent of full employment for all.

 
Fraternally,
Tom Tyrka
President
Local Union # 1011
U.S.W.

 

December 31, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

2009 is behind us and I am hopeful as many of you are that 2010 is a better year for all.  It has been a tough time for everyone.  Your Officers, Grievers and Reps continue  working to get the West Side up and bring us back to work.  The order book continues to look better but there is no information on a startup of the Blast Furnaces.

We continue to work on temp positions and adding work to our Mill.

There have been many postings, mostly East side.  Remember, if you sign and accept a posting for the East side you have thirty calendar days to determine whether you want to stay or leave.  If your department calls you back within six months you can return to your incumbent dept without loosing your seniority.  "IF" is the key word here. The call number for bidder postings is: 219 399-7865.

The rumor mill is in high gear.  We need to focus on what is reality and not what someone heard from a friend of a friend.  We get dozens of rumors every day.  When we receive notice of anything you will be notified.

For those of us working please remember that historically during slow times there is always a push to find violations of people leaving the plant early.  Please be careful when leaving the plant.

I am hoping that all have a safe and prosperous New Year with everyone back to work.

In Solidarity,

Tom

 

December 9, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Hoping everyone has a great Christmas and New Year.  It is not what many of us had expected with the current economic situation at our plant.  Yesterday I attended the "town hall" meeting and the news was not what I had hoped for.  Apparently there are no plans to start any Blast Furnace unless the orders and the economy dictate otherwise.

For our ILO's there are many craft and non craft postings available.  It appears that the Bar Mill will be starting up (Times, Dec 10, 2009)  I'm sure there are many issues to be worked out such as duration (length of stay), training etc.

The Primary incentive is still dragging on because of a company response.  It seems that red tape has held up a proposal from them.

I have been hearing that posting awards in some cases have been done improperly.  If you have signed one and have knowledge that you should have received a posting and it was awarded to someone with less seniority than you contact your Rep/Griever and have it corrected.

Once again, I truly wish that everyone has a wonderful and safe Holiday.  We will continue to fight to have everyone back to work as soon as possible.

 In Solidarity,

Tom

 
Dear Members,                                                                 July 28, 2009

Did you know that the ICD offers college scholarship support for the children and grandchildren of ICD eligible steelworkers. Click here to get the application documents at our learning center website.
Dear Members,                                                      8 a.m. July 16, 2009

The USW International Commission has released its findings concerning the appeal of our recent local election. They have denied the appeal and recommended that the will of the membership be supported. Click here to read the entire report.

Tom
  

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