Benefits For Laid Off Employees
    In our contracts (Alcan and Century) there are provisions for supplemental benefits to those that are laid off.  Benefits include SUB-PAY and Healthcare.  Also see changes made to COBRA Health Care Continuation ... more
 

NEWS

Local Union And Labor Council Repair Food Pantry Roof
     Ravenswood, WV, August 21, 2010 - United Steelworkers Local Union 5668 and the AFL-CIO Mason-Jackson-Roane Labor Council joined forces and finalized repairs to the facade and roof of the "No Hunger Food Pantry" located at the corner of Walnut and Virginia Sts. in Ravenswood, West Virginia on Saturday.  Funding for project materials was split 50/50 between the Local Union and Labor Council with volunteers from both groups, (retired, laid off and active union workers) donating their time and skills.  Ron Allman provided the scaffolding.  The work crew on Saturday included Dave Martin, Jason Miller, Mark Lynch, JR Ayers, Mel Lawrence, Lee Johnson, Roy Hussell and Bob Blare.
    Bob Blare, a retired millwright, who spearheaded the project, said "this is a way that we can give back to the community where we have worked and lived for many years.  In February of 2009 over 600 members of LU 5668 lost their jobs when Century Aluminum closed it's doors and several LU 5668 members are currently on lay off status at Alcan Rolled Products.  This not only affected our members who lost their jobs but the entire area is affected.  Everyone has had to scale back due to the economic hard times, but if we stick together we can get through this and be better for it in the long run".
  The food pantry helps Jackson County residents who have trouble putting food on the family dinner table.  Along with basic food items, personal care and household items are also available.  Families meeting certain Federal Guidelines can get assistance from the food pantry. Call or visit the food pantry during normal operation hours of 1:00 to 4:00 PM, Tuesday thru Friday.
    Ken Vintorini, president of the Board of Directors for the NHFP, said "there are 200 to 250 families that use the pantry with each family receiving approximately 50 pounds of food per month".  Since the federal government only provides about one third of the food given out the NHFP relies on cash and non-perishable foods donated by local residents and businesses.  Vintorini, along with six other Board of Directors members, receive no compensation nor do any of the volunteers who help run the pantry.
    For more information about the No Hunger Food Pantry or to make a donation call 304-512-7309 or visit their web site at http://sites.google.com/site/nohungerfoodpantry/Home. 

Raese's Comments On Steel Draw Criticism
    Charleston, WV, August 7, 2010 - John Raese, the Morgantown businessman running as a Republican in West Virginia's special Senate election, has sparked criticism from Democrats and union leaders for his comments on steel tariffs at a meeting of Mountaineers for Responsible Government. At the meeting, held last week at St. John's Evangelical Church in Wheeling, Raese said he believes tariffs placed on steel imports during the Bush administration played a major role in creating the nation's current economic problems. more

Ownership of plant set to change again
    Ravenswood, WV, August 6, 2010 - United Steelworkers Union representative Randy Moore said that the rumors of a potential sale of the engineered products division was a consideration during the recent labor negotiations, which involved voting down proposed contracts twice before a final agreement was reached. "There's no telling what a new company could do," he said. He said that was a factor behind the union pushing hard to ensure job security measures were clear in the latest contract...more
 

Iceland Geothermal Takeover Under A Cloud
    August 1 2010 - With limited household demand in a country of 320,000 people, most power is used for aluminum smelting by companies such as Rio Tinto Alcan and Century Aluminum, lured by the surplus energy....more

Century Reports 2nd-Quarter Earnings
    July 29, 2010 - Century Aluminum reported earnings of $5.1 million during the second quarter of 2010 in a financial report released July 27. The earnings compare to a net loss of $107.1 million reported during the same period of 2009....more

Century Aluminum Shares Fall After 2Q Report
    July 28, 2010  - Shares of Century Aluminum Co. plunged Wednesday after the company posted a second-quarter profit below analyst estimates....more

DJ Century Aluminum Working To Secure Helguvik Financing, Power Contracts
    London, England, Jul 28, 2010 - Century Aluminum Co.is working to secure financing and power supply contracts for its planned Helguvik smelter project in Iceland in order to restart construction of the plant, the company's Chief Executive said late Tuesday....more

Trade Act Petition
    Washington, DC., June 19, 2009 - The Department of Labor made the following decision:

     "All workers of Century Aluminum of West Virginia, Inc., Reduction Aluminum Smelter Division, Ravenswood, West Virginia, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after May 18, 2008, through two years from the date of certification, and all workers in the group threatened with total or partial separation from employment on date of certification through two years from the date of certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended."

    The "Impact (start) Date is May 18. 2009 and expires June 19, 2011.  Stop by the Union Hall for more details.      The entire decision can be found on the DOL's web site at the following link:  http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/taa/taadecisions/taadecision.cfm?70017

Century Aluminum Gets $79.7 Million Tax Refund
    Monterey, CA--(Marketwire - March 16, 2009) - Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX), today announced the receipt of a federal income tax refund of $79.7 million. This refund is in addition to the $10.1 million refund received...more
 

Fatal Accidents - Mobile Equipment and Foot Traffic
    In 2009 there were six fatalities involving mobile equipment and foot traffic at USW represented worksites.  There were two fatalities in 2008 and seven in 2007. Here is one example:...read more

Workers Compensation Rules Change
   There is a very drastic change in the law concerning notifying the company of an employees intent to file a workers comp claim. read more

Union Safety Representation
   Even if you are not injured it is wise to call for a Union Safety Representative.  read more

More Safety on the Health & Safety Page

Recent Letters

Grievance Chairman's "Letter to the Editor"
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
Rebuttal to - An Old Saying
An Old Saying: Liars figure, figures lie.

To read letters click here.

Marion County Labor Day Celebration
Hough Park, Mannington, WV
September 5, 2010  - 12 Noon- 4:00 PM
For additional information contact Marion County, AFL-CIO
President, Vern Swisher @ 304-367-0316 or vswisher@ma.rr.com

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UMWA 72nd Annual Labor Day Celebration & Picnic
John Slack Memorial Park – Racine WV
September 6, 2010 - 11:30 AM
For additional information contact:
UMWA District 17 Office at 304-346-0341

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Paden City Labor Day Parade
September 6, 2010
Line up begins at Noon on Main Street
Parade begins at 1 PM
For additional information contact Marshall-Wetzel-Tyler, AFL-CIO
President, Shelva Smith @ 304 845-6002 or gongolfin@netzero.com

 Summit articles to the Webmaster.

SOAR

NEWS FOR OUR RETIREES

    The best way for retired members to remain truly active and involved remains becoming a member of your local SOAR Chapter.  Soar provides a way for retired members of the USW and their spouses to remain a part of one of the most respected and effective organizations in America.

SOAR meets the
3rd. Wednesday of every month
@ 10 A.M. at the Union Hall.
 

Are you Union?  If you were accused of being Union would there be enough evidence to convict you!