Cindy Galvisky, president of the Granite City Rotary (second from right) presents a check for $18,000.00 to officers of USW Locals 68 (Jeff Evans, 2nd from left), 50 (Jason Chism, 3rd from left) and 1899 (Dan Simmons, center). The funds were raised to support laid off Steelworkers during the idling of USS Granite City Works in December, 2008. The money will be administered by United Way under guidelines created by the USW officers in the three Locals. Also shown in the photograph are Al Schuler, Gene Hudson, Rick Fancher , Granite City Mayor Ed Hagnauer, Ken Kohnen, and Missy Churchmanm.
Hot news for membe
Local 68 history to be published!
5/19/10 Approval was granted at the May, 2010 general meeting to produce and publish a written history of Local 68. We hope to have printed copies available prior to our 70th anniversary in 2012. Cost is currently unknown, but will depend on number of pages, type of binding (hard cover or paperback), number of photos included and other factors
Your help is needed to complete this project. Photographs, personal stories and recollections, and interviews are desperately needed. If you can help please contact our Webguy.
Photographs:
If you have photographs of any Local 68 members you would like to see included in our history book, please let us know. Digital copies or prints can be accepted. Any prints provided will be scanned and returned to the owner in the same condition they are received. Digital photographs should be sent as .jpg or .tif images at 300 DPI resolution at a file size to create a 6” x 4” print. We can help you convert your images to proper size and resolution.
For each photograph please identify as much as possible:
· All the people in the photo
· Date photo taken
· Location
· Event or reason for taking photo
Stories/recollections:
Do you remember any stories about yourself or any of our Union Brothers or Sisters that might be included in our history? Please write it up. We are not interested in ridiculing or embarrassing anyone, so please keep it tasteful. Topics you might consider are
· Public service
· Awards received
· Conspicuous actions by family members (military decorations, educational achievements, etc.)
· Just about anything about our Local and its members
Interviews:
We will be interviewing retirees, past presidents and any surviving members who is identified as a key player in the support of Local 68. Any interviews that are recorded will be kept and archived. If you know of anyone who should be interviewed, or if you would like to be interviewed for our history book please contact us ASAP to set up a convenient time and place. Also, contact our retirees and ask them to let us know if we can count on them for their valuable memories.
4/6/2010 President's April Update Now Online
Local 68 President, Jeff Evans, has posted his April, 2010 update via email and online. You can view the entire message by clicking on the "68 Updates" tab to the left of this column or by clicking here to read more...
3/17/10 Retirement Information Now Online
President Evans has been fielding questions about the Steelworkers Pension Benefits, PBGC, Social Security, and other retirement issues. Members can now post their questions, provide answers, and discuss these issues on a Retirement message board at Local 68's Forum. Click on the Forums tab to view and access the Retirement board.
Please note anyone can read the messages, but you must register as a LU 68 FORUM member to post there.
3/12/10 President's Updates Moved to New Area
All updates from President Evans will now be located at http://usw68.org/Updates/. You can click on this link or use the link tab at the left. His updates will be announced in this column after they have been posted to the new area of the web site and the announcement will contain a link to the page. Members can access the page at any time by clicking on the link tab to the left of this column.
2/18/10 From Randy Virgin, Contract Joint Efforts Coordinator, concerning PBGC
As members know the PBGC took control – or became the
trustee of – our terminated National Steel Pension Plan in 2002.
As some time has passed since most of us have concerned ourselves with
the PBGC, below is information regarding your PBGC Pension which may be
helpful.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Dream of
Owning A New Home
Finally Becomes
REALITY.
We now offer an exciting
employee initiative that can help you with the purchase of your new home. The initiative, called Employer-Assisted Housing (EAH), helps you earn 3% towards the closing costs or required down payment funds.This housing initiative includes the following advantages:
• Available to all employees
• No repayment or additional lien requirements
• Funding to purchase a new home
(3% of the home’s purchase price)• No administration or application fees
• Potential long-term investment appreciation
What are my responsibilities?
• Contact the plan administrator at (800) 514-7980
• Complete six hours of community service
• Complete one hour of home buyer education
How do I receive my earnings?
• Direct Deposit Advice and 1099 is mailed to home buyer
• Title company holds the funds in escrow
To apply for Employer Assisted Housing funds, simply contact the plan’s administrator
information@dataresearchandhandling.comor 800-514-7980.
11/23/09 LOCAL 68 CHRISTMAS PARTY is scheduled for Friday, 4 December, 2009 at the Polish Hall in Madison, IL. For more information and directions, please follow the "Christmas Party" tab at the left or click here.
10/28/09
Local 68 Sisters and Brothers:
Update 10.27.2009
Greetings. I hate to be
the bearing of bad news but this is information I was given to share
with you today. US Steel has already released most of this information
to the press already. I’ll provide you with some specifics about our
discussions today.
10/16/09 A message forum has been added to our website. Share your thoughts and opinions here or just click on the "Forums" link to the left.
10/05/09 Another reason to buy American: Homeowners in the South East face insurance cancelation if their homes were constructed with drywall imported from China. Click here to read more...
10/01/09 October President's report from Local 68 President Jeff Evens has been posted on our Updates page. Click on the "68 Updates" tab or click here to read Jeff's update.
Buy American!
09/08/09 For links to American made products, please go to our links page.
LOCAL 68
was chartered in 1942 to serve the electrical trades workers at Granite City Steel Corporation in Granite City, IL. Although the company has changed hands and names several times since then, LOCAL 68 has remained steadfast in its support of workers' needs, safety, and rights.
UNITED STEELWORKERS
USW is an international union that represents workers in manufacturing, mining, retail, and service work environments. To find out more about UNITED STEELWORKERS, and to discover what a union can do for you, visit www.usw.org for more details.