The Spotlight

From the Presidents Desk

Hugh Bowen

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In an attempt to keep everybody up to date with the negotiations in the hose department, I have been sending information into the plant as we get it. In an effort to not repeat myself or give you outdated information, I am going to keep this article short.
We have received a lot of questions about the fluctuating sub fund. We can't answer all of them, but we do know that the decision about paying benefits is based on projections of expected use. When the sub fund jumped from a negative percentage to the current 11.05%, it was a result of a surplus in the fund created by an over projection of use. It is extremely difficult to try and guess what the fund will do next. We expect an update on August 14th. Current information is still available by calling extension 8821.
I would like to thank Vice President Shotkoski for contributing an article this month.

I hope to see you all at the Labor Day picnic.

THE ANNUAL USWA LOCAL 286 LABOR DAY PICNIC
SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2001
10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Goodyear playground and parking lot (ball diamond area)
Carnival Games and Rides
Food
Petting Zoo
Food
Face Painting, Bingo, Drinks, Sno Cones, Cotton Candy, Door Prizes
Did we mention food?
Drawing for Prizes will be at 2:00 p.m. and you must be present to win. (Members and Retirees)

Labor Day is Labor Day at the ballpark…
On September 3rd, 2001, the fans honored at the Saltdog game will be those fans that are members of local Labor Unions. Tickets will be available to purchase through the Union Hall. Just give Barb your name and your $7.00 and enjoy a night out at the ballgame. Arrangements for this evening are being made through the Lincoln Central Labor Union. Plan now to support the Lincoln area Labor Unions and the Lincoln Saltdogs.

Hugh Bowen

Thoughts from the Vice President

John Shotkoski

Recent reports on industrial production shows that manufacturing is in it's biggest decline since 1982.
The nine straight months of negative readings for all American industry since the last recession years can be contributed to the company mergers, buyouts and the results of NAFTA.
Industry operated at 77% capacity in June, the lowest reading since August of 1983.
This downward trend is starting to show locally. For example;
IBEW Local 1614 and Local 1974 in Omaha are reporting future layoffs in addition to current layoffs. Local 1974 represents workers at Avaya Communications where they laid off 217 workers in April and another 457 in July, IBEW 2366, representing workers at Square D, here in Lincoln, report that they are in a layoff situation. GCIU 543M, at Mail Well Envelope in Omaha, closed the plant of 56 members after operating in Omaha since 1886. Hastings Industries closed a plant of 72 members of IAM Local 1394. The Vickers Plant in Omaha closed, displacing 800 members of PACE Locals 5-0171 and 5-056. The Nashua Corporation, also in Omaha, laid off 80 members of PACE Local 5-309 and 5-1473 when they sold their laminating operation to another company.
Manufacturing nationwide shed 389,000 workers in the second quarter. The largest quarterly decrease since the first quarter of 1991 when 449,000 factory workers lost their jobs in the midst of the last recession.
Here in Lincoln, we all know that Mexico has affected the Lincoln plant in a big way. I would like to know to the closest member count what the total loss has been.
Global trade is needed to survive in today's world; but if it is done right. By that I mean, on a level playing field. Perhaps then it would be more acceptable. Some examples of this are: the EPA rules that are enforced in the USA but not in other countries, and, the standard cost of living for the workers in these other countries so that they are not living in cardboard boxes or being exploited in other ways.
Once again, my opinion is still against NAFTA and the WTO.

John Shotkoski,
Vice President

The 16th Annual Nebraska State AFL-CIO Four Person Golf Tournament was held Saturday, June 2 at the Oakland Golf Club in Oakland, Nebraska. One hundred fifty-six golfers enjoyed the day and the solidarity the golf tournament brings.

This years winners included the following teams:
Scratch Division
1st Place - USWA Local 286 & GCIU 543M; R. Pine, S. Owen, M. Stoner and M. Barkley.
2nd Place - USWA Local 286; R. Wise, M. Stubbendeck, R. Doak and D. Wattjes.

Handicap Division
5th Place - USWA Local 286; R. Vlcek, B. Hankins, J. Cooley and E. Davis.

Congratulations to these members.

John Shotkoski,
Vice President

News from your Secretary / P&I Rep.

Sally Edwards

As reported last month, due to the change from Midwest Select to Midlands Choice, new insurance ID cards will be mailed to all members.
I was recently notified that because the negotiations with Midlands Choice are still ongoing, Midlands Choice will not release their logo to be printed on the cards. This action will delay any Plan ID cards to be produced for our plant. The goal is still to have the cards produced and distributed to associates by the end of August at which time the Midlands choice logo and the PHCS logo will be printed on the applicable cards. A postcard will be mailed to participants prior to the Plan ID card distribution. We will be sure to keep you updated with any additional information about this change.

Sally Edwards
Pension & Insurance Representative

In The Editors Opinion

Ucinda Sims

UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA
NORMA LINDHOLM IS WINNER OF
UNION PLUS SCHOLARSHIP

For years, policymakers, economists and futurists have described how higher education was vital to the American workforce and to the overall competitiveness of the U.S. economy. The labor movement has been at the forefront of providing opportunities to working-class students and workers.
This year, 115 students, representing 31 AFL-CIO unions, have been selected to receive $151,000 in scholarships from the Union Plus Scholarship program.
The Union Plus Scholarship program is an example of the U.S. labor movement's commitment to higher education. Since 1992, Union Privilege, through the Union Plus Scholarship program has helped fulfill the educational dreams of students representing more than 13 million working families across the nation. The Union Plus Scholarships are presented annually to union members or members of their families who want to begin or continue their secondary education.
Norma Lindholm, wife of Glen Lindholm of Valparaiso, Nebraska, has been selected to receive a $750 scholarship from the Union Plus Scholarship Program. Brother Lindholm is a member of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 286.
The officers and members of USWA Local 286 congratulate Norma on being a recipient of this year's program and wishes her the best in her future educational objectives.
Congratulations also went out to Norma from the Nebraska State AFL-CIO.
Reminder: Applications for the 2002 awards will be available in September 2001. To download the application from the Union Privilege website, go to www.unionprivilege.org. Or clearly print your name, return address, telephone number and international union affiliation on a postcard, and send it to: Union Plus Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 34800, Washington, D.C. 20043-4800.
Application deadline is January 31, 2002. Recipients names will be announced May 31, 2002. However, due to the high volume of applications, only winners will receive notification

Ucinda Sims, Editor

Community Services Committee

Milt Schmidt

 

Retiree’s Corner

Officers of the Retiree's Club

President Jerry Teichmeir, Vice Pres. William Ellsworth, Secretary Marge Lahodny Tresurer Jim Landstrom

Summer is about over so our meetings will start again on the second Monday of each month. The first meeting will be held at the Lincoln Gun Club on No. 48th St. with the Goodyear Sportsman Club. It will be a potluck and steak fry dinner. Bring a covered dish and your own table service. Steaks will be on sale at about $5.00 each. A sign-up sheet is at the Union office for those planning to have steak. Please stop by or call Barb and have her add your name to the list.

Notice to All Retirees
If you have not received the Spotlight for the last two months, your membership dues are not current or you are not a member of the Retiree's Club. By being a paid up member (only $4.00 each year, March to March) you are on the mailing list to receive the Spotlight each month delivered directly to your home. So, sign up now and keep it current. You can pay your dues to Barb at the Union Hall or mail it directly to Jim Landstrom, 6300 Madison, Lincoln, NE 68507.
Spontaneous combustion of coal had caused a stubborn fire in the starboard bunker in the aft corner of Boiler Room No. 6. Fireman J. Dilley testified before the American inquiry held by Senator Smith of Michigan[3] that he had been among 12 men assigned to fight this coal bunker fire. The coal on top of the bunker was wet, but the bottom of the pile was dry. The coal pile began to smolder. The fire was detected from its sulfurous odor during the ship's departure from Southampton on her maiden voyage. It is uncertain how long this fire had burned, but from testimony of surviving stokers at the inquiries, it appears that it burned for at least 72 hours. The 12-man crew made every effort to put it out. Those fighting the fire were alarmed at their inability to extinguish it. The engineering officers instructed these men not to converse with the passengers so as not to alarm them.
Mr. Dilley indicated in his testimony before the Mersey Inquiry, concerning this fire, that while it was still burning, there was talk among the stokers that once the passengers were put ashore, New York City fireboats might have to be called to help extinguish it. As a precautionary measure to prevent a coal pile fire in the forward starboard bunker of Boiler Room No. 5 through heat transfer, the coal there was also fed into the furnaces. It is believed that the fire was extinguished during the evening watch (4-8 P.M.) on Saturday, April 13, by a combination of wetting down the coal pile with a fire hose and ultimately removing the burning coal into the furnaces.*
Just like these 12 men we can only worry about what we have control over. They had control over putting out the fire in the coal. They had not started it. But they were assigned the task of putting it out. And no matter what they did, and how well they did it, no matter how quick or slow they accomplished their goal, there were still things they had no control of. And the things they couldn't control, they didn't worry about. Like the iceberg. Did I mention this coal fire was on board the Titanic?
Two lessons can be learned from this report. First, don't worry about what you have no control over. Only do what you can do. It would be really easy to disregard the importance of what you do in the wake of all the turmoil here at the Lincoln plant. This is especially true in the hose department. Possible elimination of your job could easily taint your usual level of performance. Only you can prevent that from happening.
Second, always know where the lifeboats are. Always have a plan B. You may put the fire out, and still sink when you hit the iceberg.
(* from The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers)

Cope Committee Report

 

Start the New Century with a Win!

August Winners from Local 286 in the Nebraska AFL-CIO Calendar Raffle are:
Dar Seeba
Jan Gomez
Wayne Fiedler

(Editors note: There was not a list published in July because there were no winners from Local 286 in July.)

 

Notice to All Members.

Goodyear Wins $115M Postal Contract
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (NYSE:GT - news) will supply the U.S. Postal Service with tires for the next decade at a cost of $115 million, the post office announced Thursday.
Goodyear will become the sole supplier of tires for the post office's more than 200,000 trucks, vans and delivery vehicles with the start of the new fiscal year in October, officials said.
The agency now buys tires from Goodyear, Bridgestone-Firestone and Michelin North America.
Under the deal, the post office is expected to buy some 235,000 tires annually over 10 years.
Other news…

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Goodyear Drops New Plant in Brazil
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - Citing a slump in the local tire market, Goodyear's Brazilian (news - web sites) subsidiary on Friday announced it had dropped its plans to build its third plant in the country.
The $180 million plant was to have been built in the city of Glorinha, 539 miles southeast of Sao Paulo in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
``Considering the current economic situation and the slowdown in the tire market, Goodyear do Brasil has reached the conclusion that there is no need to build a new factory,'' the company said in a statement. The new plant would have produced 1.2 million tires a year.
Goodyear has two plants operating in the state of Sao Paulo that together have a daily output of 37,000 tires.
The company said it did not ``discard the possibility of building the plant in the future, when market conditions improve.''

USWA Comments on Status of Negotiations with Titan Tire
DES MOINES, Iowa, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers of America and Titan Tire Corporation have been meeting over the past few months in an effort to resolve our 39-month labor dispute. Much progress has been made towards achieving a comprehensive settlement. However, many important issues have not been resolved.
The USWA remains hopeful that an overall settlement, including a back-to-work agreement that provides for the return of all members to their jobs at the Des Moines facility, and other critical matters, can be achieved soon.
USWA Local 164 president John Peno said, ``The USWA remains committed, as we have been for the past 39 months, to achieving a mutually acceptable agreement with the company that brings back 670 family-sustaining manufacturing jobs to the Des Moines community.''
News from Your Pension and Insurance Office