Wheeling-Pitt, USW in talks to save jobs

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_548201.html

By C.M. Mortimer
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, January 19, 2008

The situation at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel is worse than new management initially thought, conditions that could lead to shutdowns at the Allenport mill in Washington County and at its plant in Martins Ferry, Ohio.

A company spokesman on Friday said discussions with the United Steelworkers union are ongoing. He said no final decisions have been made, and expects an announcement within two weeks.

"Right now, we're not sure. It's (Allenport) one of the facilities being considered," said Bill Keegan, spokesman for Esmark Inc., Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel's parent. "Some lines may be idled indefinitely or shut down. We're still in discussions with the United Steelworkers union.

"We're trying to ease the pain," he said.

Wheeling-Pitt's Allenport mill and two galvanizing lines in Martins Ferry are slated to close, but no timetable has been determined, according to a United Steelworkers union official.

"They (management) told us they were going to close it (Allenport) down, but they didn't give a specific date," said Santo Santoro, an international representative for the USW.

FULL story at link.

"At a Labor Day Rally in Pittsburgh, PA The United Steelworkers (USW) endorsed Senator John Edwards as the Democratic nominee for President. The USW, was joined by the United Mineworkers of America (UMWA), giving Edwards the largest bloc of union support of the eight presidential candidates.

Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard and UMWA President Cecil E. Roberts announced their endorsement by making clear the stakes hard-working families face and laying out why Sen. Edwards is the best candidate to lead the fight for change in America.

"Edwards is committed to going to bat for everyday Americans and to changing a broken political system that leaves millions of Americans without a voice in their government."
"He will fight to restore the freedom of workers to form unions and raise their standard of living through collective bargaining."

"He 's laid out a plan that will lead to universal health care for every single American."
"He'll work to halt global warming and secure the health and safety of generations to come."
"He'll challenge trade policies that export jobs."
"John Edwards will restore the principle of one America with opportunity for all, instead of one America for wealthy elites and another for the rest of us."
At a Labor Day Rally in Pittsburgh, PA ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeUf1PjXLfY