I think the steelworkers are great. The STeelworkers have helped me out a lot. They deserve anything they are able to get. I've worked in the plant and know how tough the work is. Go Steelers.

Posted by Local Gal on 8/29/2008

Employees strike to get better pay and benefits, but there are still financial sacrifices during that time. That is why I said last resort, will the gain outweigh the sacrifice? The strikes often last quite a while, so how do you support families with reduction in pay during that time?

Posted by Citizen on 8/29/2008

to hooray I think you missed my point. 300 votes out of 14,000 (you do the math) yes they could say no to sanderson but it would not matter it is not up to the georgetown mill wheather a strike occurs or not it is a national vote of all the mills owned by arcelormittal. I don't think georgetown employees want to strike they have no choice if it happens. Why not close everything in georgetown that emits some sort of pollution or smell or noise or dirt or ugly color most of Georgetown would close and then where would you be driving to the beach and beyond to get things you need. Our nice lttle beautiful POOR POOR town would be nothing. Leave the mill alone and all the others places that provide jobs that put food on the table for countless familes.

Posted by sc on 8/29/2008

To Citizen and sc... Citizen, if 'mill workers suffer more during the strike than what is gained' then why do they strike? They can say NO to Sanderson can't they? sc, if not for the Union, the steel mill workers would be making what they should make which would be LESS than they are receiving now. I still say, close the mill and watch Georgetown prosper. Residents, with the exception of maybe steel workers and their families, will not move from the city. My guess is that more people would be interested in moving to Georgetown because the steel mill is CLOSED.

Posted by Hooray... on 8/29/2008

what you people fail to realize is that the georgetown mill is only about 300 employees out of maybe 14,000. If a strike occured it would not be up to the georgetown employees the vote is for all mills. You cry babies say close the mill but alot of families depend on this mill and with the ecomony so bad where do you suppose to find jobs that are equal to this. I don't care if you have lived in this area for 20 years or more if you were not born here you are a yankee by nature. Yankees go home!

Posted by sc on 8/29/2008

It's people like you who has never work for a steelmill who always has so much to say. Low wages in a dangerous work place is what you say we should accept. With this intellegence i see why most people here make min.wage. Most of you could never handle working in a steel mill, but are so quick to say what a hard working man should settle for in life. I wish the workers here could enjoy these so call 20-30 dollars per hr. you say we receive. NOT! I admit no one wants a strike, but sometime you have to stand up for what right.

Posted by knowitall on 8/29/2008

yeah... Arcelor Mittal is the largest steel producer in the world. How much of their revenue comes from the Georgetown mill? Probably not much. If you want to strike, go ahead. Maybe you'll get what you want, but I doubt it. If they strike and the mill shuts down, I guess there will be some short term effects; we might have to decrease pay for some city employees. How do they keep getting raises with a 10 year shrinking tax base and population anyway? Back to the subject: Your efforts to strike are useless. Arcelor Mittal could probably care less. So go ahead, I'm interested to see where it gets you.

Posted by rcf on 8/28/2008

I was speaking to a retired customer of mine that lives in Georgetown County now, after being CEO of a large steel company in New York. He predicted Georgetown Steel would eventually close because it is using such old technology. He said that the reason the steel market came back the last time was because of Chinese demand. Now, he says, the Chinese are building two of the largest steel mills in the world so they don't have to import. He says it is just a matter of time and markets before the mill would be melted away in its own melt shop.

Posted by Marty Tennant on 8/28/2008

While many citizens would be happy if the mill closed, and only think that it benefits those employed or the families thereof...think what will happen to the town if the mill were to shut down. Loss of tax revenue, families moving away, less money in the economy. Being a family member going through the last strike, it is of last resort. Families of mill workers suffer more during the strike than what is gained.

Posted by Citizen on 8/28/2008

To Charlie and Worker ... Charlie, I agree and I'll go a step further. There was a time many years ago that Unions were needed. In my opinion, that time has passed for the majority of industry. I have said and will continue to say, this country would still be an industrial giant if not for the Unions. Worker, I've always been known as a very nice person. No, I don't work there nor would I. As Unions, there was a time that Georgetown Steel was absolutely needed in Georgetown. In my opinion that time has passed. With the exception of those who work there and their families, I would guess that the majority of others in Georgetown would not cry one tear if the mill was closed.

Posted by Hooray... on 8/28/2008

Deja vu all over again. Answer me this; just where else can a high school drop-out make $20-$30 an hour in Georgetown County? The last time you guys did something stupid like this you were out of work for 18 months. This industry is marginal at best, a strike maybe all they need to send the plant to Haiti (not that that would be a practically bad thing). It says something about one’s intelligence to continue to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. Be happy with what you’ve got...or you might end up with nothing.

Posted by Be careful on 8/28/2008

The mighty steel industry and the mighty auto industry were brought to their knees in part due to excessive demands of their unions. Does anyone remember the 6 wreeks and more vacation plans they negotiated in the 60's? Union officials frequently draw two salaries and two pension plans: one from the union, the other from the companies they work for. They are the ones who profit most from creating havoc, not the rank and file union members. Is it any wonder that union membership is down to a record low? And the lower it gets, the more the unions huff and puff.

Posted by Charlie on 8/28/2008

Hooray, you are obviously not a nice person. You obviously don't work there, so therefore, how can you say such a thing. People depend on this company to provide for themselves, their families, and the economy (as such it is) in Georgetown. You can move if you don't like it here!

Posted by Worker on 8/28/2008

I say strike, strike, strike. And then I say, ArcelorMittal close, close, close!! Rid this city of the filth you emit.

Posted by Hooray... on 8/28/2008

Guys I know the benefits probably aren't worth a darn but hey be blessed that you have job. Because the way the economy is messed up right now. No one can afford to be without a job. Just count on your Union Leader to continue fighting to get you these things you deserve. It'll all workout in the end. Guys just please think before you make a huge mistake.

Posted by rAw on 8/28/2008

i say strike!!!!!! they need benefits and plenty of it!!!! people have families to raise and in the event the're not able to work, for any reasons, they dependents will be taken of.... they have the money to move the company out of the country, or state, why in the hell they cant up their benefits.. my dad lost his lif at the darn co, and till this day, i am still bitter behind several allegations, and the handling of his death!!!!! so i say strike, strike, strike!!!!!

Posted by please!!!!1 on 8/27/2008

Yall are lucky the doors are still open. Think before ya strike!!!

Posted by get a grip on 8/27/2008

Just a quick word to ArcelorMittal: My friends(100s of them)and I are ready to work. We work for less and ask no questions.

Posted by Bobby on 8/27/2008

I hope they really think before they strike. In this economy a strike would be very bad. If they strike the mill can find replacements very easy and the union would be at fault. Better to have a job with fewer benefits than no job at all.

Posted by LOL on 8/27/2008

Haven't we been down this road before? How this same bunch will howl when ArcelorMittal moves out of the country. If these people voluntaryly walk out and quit working, they do not deserve unemployment benefits.

Posted by justthinking on 8/27/2008