No progress reported after 2nd steelworkers meeting

 

Published on 6/17/2009
Written by Scott Harper

For the second time in less than a week, union members who work at ArcelorMittal-Georgetown met to talk about possible concessions that could keep the mill in operation past the planned July 12 shutdown date.
But, after meeting with union leaders and company management Tuesday night, no deal was reached.
Adam Warrington, spokesman for ArcelorMittal, told the Times he has no new information to report. That means the July 12 shutdown is still expected.
Union leaders say the company is asking the workers to take a  $3.25 per hours pay cut.
Many workers say they are not agreeing to the cut since the company is not guaranteeing it will reopen or, if it does, if it will remain open for a long period of time.
As reported in Monday’s Georgetown Times, City Council member Peggy Wayne met with the workers at Saturday’s meeting and talked about a conversation she had with local mill manager Marcio Van der Put Jr.
While talking to the workers Saturday, Wayne talked about the possibility of the mill staying idle for two years and reopening with a new work force.
Wayne told the Times Tuesday when she made those comments, she was giving her own personal feelings, not speaking for the company.
“I should have made that more clear,” she said. “My only message I am trying to convey is that I want them to stay open. We don’t need to lose those jobs.”
She met with the workers again Tuesday and tried to clariy her statement.

Here is a novel concept...Why don't the employees vote to decertify the union. How much are they paying for dues?? Decertify the union, take a $3 per hour pay cut and still come out ahead pay wise. I mean the union isn't saving their jobs now. Unions are so archaic and I believe if the mistake of passing the EFCA happens we will see many more companies do the same as ArcelorMittal and shut down.

Posted by on 6/19/2009


I fully agree with Milltruth. I am not a part of the union or even an employee of the mill... but I have been present at the meetings and seen the LMP plans offered, as well as read the contract. There were no guarantees in the LMP that if accepted that the next day the mill would not be closed and the workers recieving a lower supplement then they are now which is not very much. There would be no surviving on it or on a 24hr a week check at the cut rate. They say oh they will get paid for two years to do nothing. but the supplemental..is not a livable wage, decreases in amount every few months, and is conditional. It is meant to retain the workforce in the event of reopening..but if they were to get a job to make ends meet till the mill reopened they lose the supplemental...and their call back rights from what I understand. It was a nowin situation for everybody and the comments to Mrs. Wayne by the mill manager did not show good faith in the negotioations. AND DESPITE WHAT SHE IS TRYING TO SAY NOW AND DID AT THE SECOND MEETING THAT SHE WAS MISUNDERSTOOD...SHE IS A LIAR. I AS WELL AS OVER 200 MEN HEARD EXACTLY WHAT SHE SAID WORD FOR WORD AND THERE WAS NO MISTAKING IT. BY TRYING TO COME BACK AND COVER HER @SS SHE BASICLY DECLARED THAT EVERYONE PRESENT WAS SO DEAF DUMB AND STUPID THAT WE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT CAME OUT OF HER MOUTH. The men are pretty much rednecks, the whole lot of them, but they are far from stupid and it is a mistake to think so.

Posted by on 6/18/2009


The LMP offer states a minimum of 24 hours but each person can decide to accept the layoff with subpay instead of working if the hours offered are 32 hours or less.

Posted by on 6/18/2009


O.K. anonymous attackers, let's add more truth to the situation. The LMP, or layoff minimization plan, does provide one guarantee not being shared: a minimum of 24 hours of work. Now, let's say they only stick to that and give all workers 24 hours during the LMP with the pay cuts. Can you pay bills with that type of check? How about food... Forget it. People should just mind their business if they haven't seen the full plan offered to employees.

Posted by Milltruth on 6/18/2009


Am I wrong about mill employees receiving pay for two years while not working? Being as smart as most of the employees think they are, they should be able to find a job in the two year span. Nope, no sympathy here.

Posted by on 6/18/2009


The other day we saw a couple outside of Garden City Walmart holding up a sign begging for help for them and their two children. Anyone that can be happy about the mill closing and people losing their jobs especially with the economy as bad as it is has to be mentally ill. Get yourself some help asap.

Posted by on 6/18/2009


Now if we can get rid of all the non-locals then maybe we can have a nice place to live again.

Posted by on 6/18/2009


ArcelorMittal please go away! You are a good company that can do much better elsewhere. Your union leader and his crew have closed this mill and this time I hope and pray for good... never to reopen again. It's a shame that you have to pay them for 2 more years while they sit on their cans doing nothing. Go away ArcelorMittal, go away!

Posted by on 6/18/2009


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