Vitaulic Fork's Contract Extended ONE Week

Please see January proposal below - new proposal to follow when available.

Talks to resume on March 19, 2010.

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Please Join Mayor John Callahan

Democratic Candidate for Congress, PA-15

for a Beef & Beer Fundraiser

 

Thursday, March25

6:00pm to 8:00pm

Steelworkers Hall

53 East Lehigh Street

Bethlehem, PA

 

Host:       $50

Tickets:    $20

 

See Flyer below or Contact Leora at

484-225-5119 or

leora@callahanforcongress.com

 

callahanbeefbeer.pdf

Rapid Response:

Put this on your shopping list. Buy some Sylvania Super Saver energy-efficient halogen light bulbs,

help save an endangered American industry and some Steelworker jobs!

The incandescent light bulbs in use for more than a century since the days of Thomas Alva Edison will begin to fade away in 2012 under new federal regulations designed to increase energy efficiency.  The Energy Independence and Security Act, signed into law by former President Bush on Dec. 19, 2007, requires that light bulbs sold in the United States use 25 percent to 30 percent less energy than they do now.  As a result, the familiar incandescent light bulbs, which fail to meet efficiency requirements in the law, will be phased out over a few years. You can expect 100-watt bulbs to disappear from markets in 2012. The 75-watt bulb will be gone by 2013. The smaller 40- and 60-watt bulbs will phase out by 2014.  As the technology changes, major manufacturers are relocating production from the United States to China and other countries.  Osram Sylvania, however, has decided to introduce a new product, the Sylvania Super Saver halogen bulb, and make it at existing facilities, including a USW-represented glass plant in Wellsboro, Pa.
Wellsboro currently produces the envelope or outer glass portion of incandescent light bulbs that are assembled at Osram-Sylvania’s plant in Saint Mary’s, Pa. It also makes bulbs for Christmas ornaments.  USW Local 1001, which represents about 110 Wellsboro employees, had been warned that the new efficiency standards will jeopardize its main product, the incandescent bulb.  But the new halogen bulb, if it takes off in the market, could help maintain employment at Wellsboro as the incandescent bulbs are removed from sale.  “It will at least help us make status quo,’’ said Barry Mortimer, a member of Local 1001 and the local’s Rapid Response coordinator.

The new Super Saver halogen bulbs can be made on existing equipment and do not have some of the potential health hazards of its main competition, compact fluorescent bulbs.  The most common alternative is the compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) distinguished by its curly glass casing. CFLs are made largely in China with toxic mercury as a key ingredient.  Making CFL bulbs requires workers to handle mercury in either solid or liquid form because a small amount of the metal is put into each bulb to start the chemical reaction that creates light. Breaking a CFL bulb at home requires an EPA-approved cleanup procedure.  Mercury is recognized as a health hazard by authorities worldwide because its accumulation in the body can damage the nervous system, lungs and kidneys. It poses a particular threat to babies in the womb and young children.  The American-made Super Save halogen bulb has no mercury, meets the government’s energy savings standards and supports USW members. If you break one at home, clean up the broken glass and throw it into the trash.
“Osram-Sylvania is encasing halogen inside a glass capsule and then putting that in a traditional-looking glass bulb made at Wellsboro,” said Barry Mortimer, Rapid Response Congressional Coordinator.  Mortimer said the bulbs are currently in production but not yet widely available in stores. They can be purchased in Menards and BJ’s in the Midwest and should be available in other big-box hardware stores later this year. We can expect to see the bulbs available at Lowes in mid March and April.  In the meantime, Mortimer said they can be purchased on line at http://www.sylvaniaonlinestore.com/c-26-halogen-supersaver.aspx. A standard shipping fee applies no matter the order size.
 

Victaulic tells workers Mexico plant poses threat to local jobs -- The Morning Call.com

To Victaulic Forks Employees:

 In light of the recent announcement that Victaulic will open a plant in Mexico, the Union committee is asking for input from the members to help assist in preparation for the upcoming contract.  Please send comments and/or questions to President Jerry Green at USWGreen@aol.com .

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