Union members said they weren't told in person about Georgetown steel mill closure
Union members were not told in person by Union President James Sanderson that the mill would close for two years, said Union Member Ricky Lambert.
The news that they would not be returning to work was a shock to Lambert, who heard Tuesday in the Wal-Mart Supercenter that the mill would possibly shut down until 2011.
"I'm fed up with this roller coaster ride,'' Lambert said. "You think you got something and then somebody says, 'Hey man did you read it in the paper?'''
"Your own union membership doesn't know what's going on.''
The method of how the news was spread angered Lambert, who has worked at the mill for about 35 years.
Sanderson did tell the union members last Wednesday that he didn't know when the plant would reopen, but that he was waiting on a phone call from company officials.
Sanderson told other media outlets Monday afternoon that he got the call on Friday, saying the mill wouldn't reopen.
Sanderson did not return phone calls to the Georgetown Times Tuesday.
Lambert said the person who told him about his job does not work at the mill.
"He [James] should have called his board together and said to put the word out,'' Lambert said. "If you don't get it from an official, then you just don't know.''
ArcelorMittal spokesman Adam Warrington would not confirm the timeline given by the local union but agreed the market will drive the decision when to reopen.
"ArcelorMittal has indefinitely ceased operations at the company's Georgetown facility, which will continue unless market conditions appreciably improve or the plant is put on a more competitive footing," he said.
Meanwhile, Lambert said he is returning to school to study heating and air conditioning.
"If I can get my ducks in a row, I'm coming out of there [the mill],'' he said. "You're up one minute and down the next. If the Lord opens the door for me, I'm getting out of there. If they go down, I can say 'Adios, I'm going somewhere else.'''
Karen Fulton said her husband, a steelworker, also didn't know he wouldn't be returning to work.
"No mention was made of closing for two years,'' she said. "You would think they would know. Everybody has
See UNION, Page 11A
a different take, you just want the truth.''
Not a done deal
Other national union leaders said their could be a good use for the shuttered mill, and that it doesn't have to stay closed due to lack of orders for steel wire rods.
Some plants that belong to ArcelorMittal, including one in Cleveland, Ohio, are now manufacturing parts for wind and water turbines, said Tony Montana, spokesman for the United Steelworkers District 1.
He said the national organization is trying to have the plant in Georgetown, and others, used for making similar products.
"We [the USW] supports renewable energy legislation,'' Montana said. "Our union has been promoting renewable energy and is asking for the federal government to pass a renewable energy standard. We think that is very forward thinking."
The Georgetown plant would not need a large-scale overhaul to make other wind turbines or other green technology, Montana said.
The turbines are already in use in Europe and are being considered for new wind farms in the United States.
Santee Cooper is working on using wind technology and is now doing studies on the wind speeds in Georgetown County.
There are plans to build a 200-foot tower offshore to measure wind speeds within the next year.
"There are many ways we can stimulate the steel market," Montana said. "We need to focus on sustainable development, instead of temporary fixes."
: 11/10/2009
It will be dead and boarded up. Look at the people elected and what has been done so far. Fees and taxes going up, new construction being stifled, jobs being cut, you will be lucky if its as big as Andrews in 3 years.
: 11/6/2009
If you're talking about the Old Georgetown then slam the door on that coffin once and for all. I'm excited to see what the New Georgetown will be and I know many I've spoken to feel the same way. We live in a lovely, charming town with wonderful people and gorgeous nature in our backyard. What could be better than that?
Cronyism : 11/3/2009
I had to get out of this town - someone needs to examine the collusion between the Master of Equity and the lawyers in town in relation to small business owners - the closing of the mill is the final nail in the coffin for Georgetown I'm afraid to say!!
: 11/2/2009
The union voted and got what they voted for. Sorry to the families but if it does reopen in a few years I hope they keep the union out so the mill can survive. There are plenty of people in this town who will work without a union.
: 10/30/2009
Tripp, those days are gone. ArcelorMittal kinda cleaned that up a lot. Ask some of the current workers. I appreciate the response with civility.
: 10/30/2009
Voting out the union would allow the company to get rid of the "bums" and dead weight" and allow them to hire people that WANT A JOB.I actually work in the rolling mill in the late eighties on the conveyor. On any given shift there were probably 25 people clocked in but only 5-6 did any real work unless something went down. I saw employees sleeping, cooking ,playing cards, you name it I saw it. They all knew the union would protect them. It's why I got the hell out of there. It was a joke. One night The conveyor went down and I had nothing to do so I went out by the compactors and started sweeping up. I got yelled at by a union guy . He said I shouldn't do stuff like that because it's not my job. Can you imagine?
: 10/30/2009
If a majority of people "swallowed pride" earlier, we'd be at work. Your hypothetical question doesn't counter the fact that two votes took place, no concessions were given. This isn't a school yard - you don't come back to it everyday. The company saw the response - then acted.
: 10/30/2009
Wow. You would not vote to dissolve the union even if it meant you could get your job back? You would rather be unemployed in this horrible economy than swallow a little pride? You are what you preach I'll give you that.
: 10/30/2009
Voting the union out would do what? The people who voted down concessions would still be there. Vote them out.
: 10/30/2009
I would not vote to dissolve the union.
: 10/30/2009
Answer a very simple question Jamie. Would you vote to dissolve the union if you were guaranteed the plant would reopen with the financial terms proposed by the company in July? No rhetoric, just yes or no.
: 10/30/2009
Jamie, it sounds as if the union you so dearly love actually cost you your job. Why do you hold on to such an outdated ideology? Face it. Unions no longer have a place in society. They were usefull once apoun a time. But they have gone the way of black and white televisions and rotary dial telephones.
: 10/30/2009
Really? Better check the stats. lol
: 10/30/2009
Is Jamie "I never post anonymously anymore" Sanderson posting anonymously again? I mean "Truthfinder" said he read Jamie's blog. No one but Jamie reads that blog so, therefore, Jamie and Truthfinder must be one in the same.
: 10/30/2009
I find it amusing people think I am "spinning" a story in which I was actually part of. Let's consider the facts. What's the age median of those who voted for concessions opposed to those who voted against them. Let's factor in how many people who voted no also receive pensions from the old mill. Numbers don't lie. You shouldn't need anyone to convince you to keep a job. There's enough going on around here to prove what you need to keep. Union members voted. Own up to what you voted for. I am a proud Steelworker. I realize the need for compromise. It's unfortunate with what we have to deal with. But we could be working right now. I'm sorry my vote was in the minority.
: 10/30/2009
From reading Jamie's blog, he's defending his job. He wants to work. What did you expect James to do? Hold each of their hands and help them scribble a yes vote? They made their choice. It wasn't forced. James told the people at the beginning it was the union's position to accept concessions. Stay fat on those pensions while the younger people suffer.
: 10/30/2009
The union membership looks up to James. They look to him for leadership and guidance. If he really believed that voting down the concessions would close the plant he should have done a better job of convincing his membership. He failed not only the guys that put their trust in him, but he let the whole town down. We all suffer. Jamie can spin this and defend his father, and blame it on the older guys all he wants but the facts remain. He let them down. The world economy is improving and the demand for steel will be there. Vote the union out and the plant will re-open.
: 10/29/2009
Tell me where the union president cost people jobs when in fact it was the union members who voted themselves out of them. Let's remind the people that the senior people get a pension from the old mill - before ISG - and they get it every month. The young people? Not so fortunate. This is why the majority can sit out. Blame the right people - the ones who voted against concessions.
: 10/29/2009
Why should any company in Georgetown County hire a person who doesn't want to work ?
: 10/29/2009
So just where is James "Jobs Jobs Jobs" Sanderson? You want Economic Development in Georgetown? It starts with getting rid of the unions. Nobody is going to build a new plant in this adversarial labor market. Would YOU? Looks like the folks in Charleston have the right idea; thousands of brand new jobs and all without union dues.
: 10/29/2009
We are stuck in the 30's. Unions used to have a valid place in society. Not anymore.
: 10/29/2009
WOW! Look what throwing the union out did for N Charleston. Voted it out and four months later a new Boeing Plant and over 3000 new jobs! Take the hint guys, vote out the union and the mill will reopen very soon.
: 10/29/2009
Where is Jamie,I mean Elmer Fudd when we need him. He should write one of his brilliant letters to the editor to explain his daddy's position. I am sure it's not his fault.
: 10/28/2009
What a joke. He costs over 200 people the best paying job they will likely ever have and he still gets paid. Unions are like typewriters. Nobody needs one anymore.
: 10/28/2009
The union supported concessions from the beginning. It's the majority of people who stuck to old habits that produced this. Telling the company "no" twice doesn't do you any good - union or not.
: 10/28/2009
These guys are getting what they deserve. Listen to these loony liberal union thugs if you want to. I say enough already. Tear it down,clean it up and redevelop the site. Paige Sawyer for mayor.
: 10/28/2009
Want your jobs back? Throw out the union! The plant would probably open again in a week. What have you got to lose...except maybe two years of being unemployed?
: 10/28/2009
Sooo, how's that new contract y'all extorted out of the company? Working out pretty good huh? You vote yourselves out of a job rather than give concessions, then whine to the city to get your jobs back...how, by giving the company tax concessions. You first.
: 10/28/2009
You got to be kidding me. Two reporters assigned to this story and this is all you can get about how long the plant will stay down. The employees knew the mill was closed. They are being blamed for it. Where did the 2 years come from? Nothing that I have read states nothing about mill being down for 2 years. The Georgetown Times should run a front page story on Friday stating there will be no positive stories about the local union.
: 10/28/2009
Why are you guys turning on Sanderson? I thought he was your savior? I thought he had every thing under control? Truth is you guys are going to find out how good you had it. It's tough in the real world. Wait until you have to do construction or laborer work for a 1/3 of the pay. You'll wish you never heard of Sanderson or the union.
Union members said they weren't told in person about mill closure : 10/28/2009
So what!!! Mgmt from the steel mill asked the union to work with them to come up with a solution to keep the mill open. The union voted they would not consider any consessions. Well guess what, you don't have a job. Get in the real world. I don't feel sorry for Union whiners.
: 10/28/2009
This does not surprise me one bit. James is a coward. That is why he didn't tell us to our face. The only good thing about the mill being closed is we no longer have to deal with him.
Sanderson? : 10/27/2009
What a joke. So now what happens to him and his salary?