golden lodge news october 2010

8/8/2019 Golden Lodge News October 2010

1/12

Volume 57, No. 9 October 2010

Arbitrator rules for Companyin safety rule violation case

Joe HoaglandPresident

Pictures from Company cameras presented

(Continued on Page 2)

Two months ago, I wrote

about an arbitration case involv-

ing Violation of Rule of Con-

duct #24, Violation of, or disre-

gard of, safety rules or safety

practices; carelessness, endan-

gering the life or safety of anoth-

er person.

We recently received an un-

favorable decision on this mat-

ter. The Arbitrator ruled (based

on a series of still pictures taken

by a Company camera) that the

grievant placed himself in a po-

sition where the load would

have fallen on him, had a chain

broke.

The grievant was attempting

to break bundling chain dogs

loose on a high-side bolster up-

right. The pictures showed us

that if the chain would have bro-

ken, the bale would have fallen

to the outside of the bolster,

leaving the bolster upright be-

tween the steel and the grievant.

Secondly, the arbitrator

ruled that the same pictures

showed the grievant was in apinch-point. We are in disagree-

ment with that decision, based

on our view of the pictures, as

stated previously.

And, finally, the third viola-

tion was the act of stepping into

a bolster.

Although the Company had

charged the grievant with touch-

ing a chain on a suspended load(flipping the dogs), the arbitra-

tor did not rule on that issue. He

stated in his decision that there

was, some conflict in the testi-

mony about whether or not this

load was suspended.

If the arbitrator could not de-

termine through testimony and

pictures that the load was sus-

pended, I fail to see how he

could place the grievant in a

pinch-point, or in a dangerous

position had a chain broken.

For that matter, how would a

chain break with no weight or

pressure applied to it?

So, like I suggested in the

earlier article, get familiar with

your job safety description. If

Demolition of the Canton Bearing Plant on Dueber Ave. S.W. continues. Most of the area

will now be used by the Steel Mill. See story and more pictures on Page 6.

Canton Bearing Plant demolition


2/12

October 20102

...Presidents column(Continued from Page 1)

GOLDEN LODGE NEWS

GOLDEN LODGE NEWS STAFF

Tom Sponhour, Editor

Joe Hoagland, Managing Editor

Ron Roberts, Associate Editor

Chris Tunney, Associate Editor

LOCAL 1123 OFFICERSJoe Hoagland, PresidentDan Ellington, Vice President

Pat Eslich, Recording Secretary

Joey Shearer, Financial Secretary

Kathy Boyd, Treasurer

James Schweitzer, Trustee

Susie Camper, Trustee

Keith Strobelt, Trustee

Paul McKenzie, Guide

Bill Webler, Outside Guard

Bob Seward, Inside Guard

Published monthly, except July, by

the United Steelworkers, Golden Lodge

Local 1123, AFL-CIO, in the interest ofits members and to further the aims and

programs of the Union.

USW Local 1123 represents bar-

gaining unit workers at the Canton, Gam-

brinus, and Faircrest Ohio plants of The

Timken Company.

USW Golden Lodge Local 1123

1234 Harrison Ave. S.W.

Canton, OH 44706

(330) 454-6137

Fax (330) 454-3461

Email - [email protected]

you are working with a suspend-

ed load, remember you cant

touch it, and make sure there is

nothing behind you or on either

side (including other bolsters orsafety barriers).

Investment Commitment

Meetings with Company

On September 23, we held

one of our semi-annual Invest-

ment Commitment Meetings

with the Company. Much of the

information is considered con-

fidential, so I will try to give

you an overview.

On the Steel side, invest-

ments are continuing through

2010. Some of these are #5 Tube

Mill Furnace Regenerative

Burners, a Billet Conditioning

Quench Tank at Faircrest, the

Ladle Crane Weighting System

at Harrison, and investment in

Scrap Preparation (Blue Sky

Project).

For 2011, the Company stat-

ed that the economy and market

demand will have a significant

impact on Capital Investments.

That being said, two projects

underway are the razing of

Buildings on Dueber Avenue for

Harrison lay down yards and the

Intermediate Finishing Line(IFL) at Gambrinus Steel.

The IFL is projected to take

16 to 24 months for completion.

It will include a Straightener,

Shot Blast, NDT, Grinders, Ma-

gna-Glo, Cut-Off Saws, Inspec-

tion, and Banding Station. It is

also projected to require 30% to

45% less labor (both hourly and

salary).

Other projects, although not

approved yet, are an In-Line

Forge (for large rounds) at the

Faircrest Rolling Mill and

Next-Generation Material

Movement (some of you may

have seen the new Straddle

truck).

For the Bearing plant, pro-jected investment for 2011

dwarfs the expenditures in 2010.

Some of the major allocations

are LVR Grinder and Cold

Former Upgrades and Inch

Header Rebuild.

We raised issues surround-

ing work at TMMC (Cold

Room). At this writing, we are

awaiting answers to our inquiry.There is planned investment in

this area also.

Retiree health care

changes after Jan. 1, 2011

If you are planning to retire

on or after January 1, 2011, there

will be some changes to the re-

tiree health care for those that

are notMedicare-eligible (pre-

age 65). You will find this infor-mation in the chart on Page 3.

YOU HAVE A VOICE. MAKE IT HEARD.

NOVEMBER 2


3/12

October 2010 3

2011 Retiree Medical Plan

Plan Benefits Current Plan Effective Jan. 1, 2011

(For those who retire on or after Jan. 1, 2011)


4/12

October 20104

In recent articles, Ive men-

tioned that Rapid Response is a

non-partisan, grass-roots, fact-

finding information tool of the

union.

However, there are times

when this committee takes more

of a legislative role, times when

our friends of labor may seek our

help during an election year.Seeing as how our elected of-

ficials are the architects of the

pieces of legislation that Rapid

Response reports on, this alli-

ance can not be avoided.

Now, 2010 is an off-year

election and once again, labor,headed by the United Steelwork-

ers, is leading the charge in

keeping our friends of labor in

their respective offices.

September has been a pro-

ductive month for Rapid Re-

sponse and Legislative commit-

tees. We started with many visi-

bilities early in the year, such as

parades, rallies, press confer-

ences and county fairs.A lot of our members even

found themselves in television

commercial spots for John Boc-

cieri throughout the summer

months.

Boccieri booth at

Stark County Fair

Leading into the Labor Day

weekend, many of our members

manned the John Boccieri booth

at the Stark County Fair. It was a

very interesting week, to say the

least. Passers-by expressing

their support, were in abun-

dance, and thanked the Steel-

workers for the good work

theyre doing.

There was even a mid-week

visit from CNN. They inter-

viewed Congressman Boccieri

and filmed some of our members

as they ran the campaign booth.

By Keith Strobelt, Chairman

Rapid Response Committee

Labor is leading the charge!We must elect friends of working people

USW Local 1123 members use the Ohio AFL-CIO Predictive Dialing Phone Banking System set up at Golden Lodge to survey union

members preferences in the Nov. 2 election. Pictured are, left to right, Mike Kemp, Keith Strobelt, Don Adams, Jeff Spurrier, Susie

Camper and Ray Taylor. Other Golden Lodge members participating in the phone banking include: Ken Bellinger, Trish Hostetler, Larry

Staskey, and Chris Tunney.


5/12

October 2010 5

We ended the week at the

Fair with a visit from Governor

Ted Strickland and candidate for

Lt. Governor, Yvette McGee

Brown. It was a high-spirited

event, truly a flag waving mo-

ment.

United Steelworkers

Legislative Conference

Right after Labor Day, com-

mittee members were off to Co-

lumbus to attend the United

Steelworkers Legislative Con-

ference.

During our three-day stay,

we attended many seminars and

workshops that taught us meth-ods and different means of get-

ting the message out, emphasiz-

ing the urgency of this statewide

election.

Ohios top five, from Gover-

nor Strickland to candidate for

state auditor, David Pepper,

were our high energy guest

speakers motivating us to work

even harder.I might add that Governor

Strickland was in rare form. The

knowledge we brought back

from this conference will defi-

nitely benefit our members.

Ohio AFL-CIO Convention

Upon our return, we immedi-

ately started work on Labor

Campaign 2010, and then found

ourselves back in Columbus forthe Ohio AFL-CIO Convention

by the third week of September.

National AFL-CIO President

Richard Trumka and Ohio AFL-

CIO President Joseph Rugola

opened the convention with tell-

it-like-it-is speeches touching

on the Ohio voter apathy and

noting that it is time to get off

our butts and get out there to

help our candidates win this

statewide election.

The top five were present as

well, giving motivational

speeches and thanking us for thehard work that we are doing for

them, and together with labor,

we will be victorious, come No-

vember.

I would like to thank all the

delegates who attended that con-

vention for their enthusiasm, in-

volvement and commitment

throughout the week. It was tru-

ly a delegation that our memberscan be proud of.

Representing Golden Lodge

as delegates were: Joe Hoag-

land, Dan Ellington, Kathy

Boyd, Pat Eslich, Joey Shearer,

Penny Shearer, Susie Camper,

Bob Harper, and Bob Seward.

Labor Campaign 2010

And now, we are back at the

Golden Lodge, working on La-bor Campaign 2010 and we

could certainly use some help.

Currently we are phone banking

each day from 11 am to 2 pm and

evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

We will be canvassing neighbor-

hoods on the weekends during

morning and mid-afternoon

hours, and throughout each

week up to the election, we will

be doing literature gate drops

and worksite drops. We need

your help in all these areas.

In closing, I would like to

say, no doubt that this statewide

election is very important to all

of us, and it will determine in

which direction this country will

take for decades to come.

If we are to assure labor a

place in the future, we must, byall means, help our friends of la-

bor now. It is vital to our exist-

ence as trade unionists and mid-

dle class working families, that

we help these candidates

achieve their respective offices.

We are the last line of defense.

We need your help

If you would like to volun-

teer, please contact the GoldenLodge Local 1123 Union Hall at

(330) 454-6137. We will put you

in contact with someone who

can assist you.

Yvette McGee Brown, candidate for Lt. Governor, left, and Gov. Ted Strickland, 4th from

left, stopped by the Boccieri for Congress booth at the Stark Co. Fair and met with the

volunteers, mostly Golden Lodge members. Pictured are: Brown, Don Adams, Keith

Strobelt, Gov. Strickland, Jeff Spurrier, Trish Hostetler, Joe Sterling from USW Local

3610; Congressman Boccieri, Bob Seward, Larry Staskey, in front: Susie Camper and Ken

Bellinger.


6/12

October 20106

government, Social Security and

the local school systems.

Today, the Company has

about 1,700 workers in steel

production and only 200 in its

bearings business.

Here is a quick summary of

our Canton Bearing Plants his-

toric past.

What began as his patented

idea in St. Louis, in 1899, Henry

Timken and his sons, H.H.

Timken and William Timken,

established the Timken Roller

Bearing and Axle Company.

This firm initially manufactured

tapered roller bearings for the

use in wagons. Timkens bear-

Wrecking ball takes down The end of an era that started in 1901

On a bright, clear, sunny,

pre-autumn day, the dark shad-

ows of progress cast their eerie

spell over the iconic buildings

and fading memories of our be-

loved Canton Bearing Plant.

These stoic buildings have

shaped the landscape of the

Southwest side of our town.Now, during the Fall of

2010, the wrecking ball is

changing the footprint of the

Harrison Steel Plant, as the

bearing plant structures of the

late 19th century that housed so

many dedicated, loyal, and hard-

working brothers and sisters,

will be no more.

Then, our bearing factoryfaced a shutdown announced in

May, 2004, when the Company

said it would close the Canton

Industrial Bearing Complex,

which included the Canton

Bearing, Gambrinus Roller and

Gambrinus Bearing Plants.

The Canton bearing opera-

tions had 1,150 hourly workers

and 1,500 in steel productionwhen they announced their shut-

down plans.

At one time, over 3,000 peo-

ple worked in this plant. Many

families were raised and educat-

ed because of these good jobs.

Also lost are millions of dollars

in tax revenue to the city of Can-

ton, the state of Ohio, the federal

By Chris TunneyAssociate Editor

Old Boiler House building coming downThe Canton Bearing Plants old Boiler House, and most recently Tool Hardening and

Dept. 72 on Dueber Ave. is under demolition. The area will be used by the Steel Mill.


7/12

October 2010 7

st of Canton Bearing Plant

ings helped wagons make easier

turns and also improved their

maneuverability in other ways.

In 1901, the Timkens relo-

cated the company to Canton,

Ohio, where the firm became

known as the Timken Roller

Bearing Company. By 1909, theyear Henry Timken died, the

company was turning out over

850,000 bearings a year and it

employed about 1,200 people.

The Companys bearings be-

came in great demand, especial-

ly as the automotive industry

originated during the first de-

(Continued on Page 8)

Old Boiler House is gone!The Canton Bearing Plants old Boiler House building is demolished.

The Canton Bearing Plant building on Dueber Ave. that once housed offices, shipping

storage, and bearing assembly, has windows boarded up, but will soon be demolished.


8/12

October 20108

cades of the 20th century. In

1917, the Timken Company con-

structed its first steel mill to pro-

vide the firm with a steady sup-

ply of steel to manufacture itsproducts.

Beginning in the 1920s, the

company increasingly began to

use its bearings in the manufac-

ture of agricultural and mining

equipment, and during World

War II, began providing the

United States military with

bearings. The market for

Timken bearings and steel con-tinued to expand quickly

throughout the 1920s.

Timken bearings found their

way into the railroad industry in

1923, when bearings, specially

designed by Timken, were tested

first on an inter-city streetcar

running between Canton and

Cleveland, and later that year in

a boxcar on the Wheeling and

Lake Erie Railroad.By 1926, other railroads rec-

ognized that the tapered bear-

ings would allow the speed of

their trains to increase. In spite

of the Depression, Timken con-

tinued to grow steadily through

the 1930s.

During the early 1930s the

company developed bearings for

propeller drive-shafts, thereby

expanding its customer base to

include shipbuilders, including

the U.S. Navy. The onset of

World War II provided the mo-

mentum for Timkens continued

growth in the 1940s. During the

war, the companys output more

than doubled its previous peak.

In 1954 Timken introduced the

AP bearing, an innovation

that would have a great impact

on the railroad industry. The

AP was a pre-assembled, lu-

bricated, self-contained bearing

that was inexpensive and easily

integrated into nearly any type

of railroad car.

ating the rest of the companys

sales.

At that time, about 35 differ-

ent types of roller bearings were

being produced in over 11,000

sizes at its facilities. Production

was hurt in 1970 by strikes at

General Motors and in the truck-

ing industry, however, by 1972;

sales were once again strong in

the automotive industry, which,

as a whole, was the purchaser of

nearly half of the bearings sold.

Timken introduced the UNI-

PAC bearing in 1979. These pre-

lubricated and pre-adjusted

bearings made assembly opera-

tions much easier for vehicle,industrial machinery, and con-

struction equipment manufac-

turers.

As the 1980s began, Timken

was still the dominant force in

the American bearing industry,

controlling about 25 percent of

the U.S. bearings market, and 75

percent of the market for tapered

roller bearings.

So what does the future holdfor us and the next generation of

workers? Just faded memories,

old photos, leveled buildings,

and our skilled manufacturing

jobs shipped overseas?

I hope not, as this should be a

wakeup call for all of us. Get in-

volved, educate yourselves, and

share your knowledge with oth-

ers.

Most importantly, lets exer-

cise our right to vote; holding

our elected officials account-

able for their actions and prom-

ises. They work for us; the peo-

ple. Lets all try to make the fu-

ture a brighter one for our sons

and daughters. That should be

our legacy.

The new bearing was credit-

ed with dramatically reducing

the number of freight car set-

outs. Railroads continued to

grow in importance as custom-

ers during this period.

By 1968, more than 90 per-

cent of the new freight cars be-ing built used tapered roller

bearings, and more than 60 per-

cent of those bearings were

made by Timken. By 1971, ta-

pered roller bearings and rock

bits accounted for about 80 per-

cent of Timkens revenue that

year, with specialty steels gener-

(Continued from Page 7)

...Canton Bearing Plant

Bearings such as these will no longer be

made in Canton after the shutdown of the

Canton Bearing Plant.


9/12

October 2010 9

National Candidates

Lee Fisher (D) - United States Senator

Zack Space (D) - Representative to Congress - 6th District (Tuscarawas Co.)

John Boccieri (D) - Representative to Congress - 16th District (Stark Co.)

State Candidates

Ted Strickland (D) - Governor

Richard Cordray (D) - Attorney General

Maryellen OShaughnessy (D) - Secretary of State

Kevin Boyce (D) - Treasurer

David Pepper (D) - Auditor

Eric Brown (D) - Chief Justice of Ohio Supreme Court, Term 1-1-11

Mary Jane Trapp (D) - Justice of Ohio Supreme Court, Term 1-1-11

Stark Co. Candidates

Todd Bosley (D) - State Representative, 50th DistrictStephen Slesnick (D) - State Representative, 52nd District

Mark Okey (D) - State Representative, 61st District

Scott Oelslager (R) - State Senator, 29nd District

Joe Schiavoni (D) - State Senator, 33rd District

Sheila Farmer (R) - Judge of the Court of Appeals (5th District) Term 2-09-11

Kristine Beard (D) - Judge of the Court of Appeals (5thDistrict) Term 2-10-11

Lee Sinclair (R) - Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (General Div.) Term 1-02-11

Kim Perez (D) - Auditor

Steven Meeks (D) - County Commissioner

Thomas Bernabei (D) - County Commissioner

Tuscarawas Co. Candidates

Earl McCormick (D) - County Commissioner

Joe Schiavoni (D) - State Senator, 33rd District

2010 ENDORSED CANDIDATES OF THEHALL OF FAME

CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL, AFL-CIO(This list may be cut out and taken to polls.)


10/12

October 201010

SOAR NOTESI.W. Abel

Chapter1/27

By Jim Reed

Social Security System

celebrates 75 years

A seminar was held August

27 at the Mayfield Center to cel-

ebrate 75 years of Social Securi-

ty.

Speakers included Con-

gressman John Boccieri and Lt.

Governor Lee Fisher. Dan Fonte

was moderator with about 100 in

attendance.

Congressman Boccieri said

that Social Security is some-

thing we worked for, paid into,

and that we deserve. It is not an

entitlement program. We dont

need Wall Street to tell us we

dont deserve it, Boccieri stat-

ed.

Wall Street wants to priva-

tize Social Security, and submit

a voucher program for you to see

a doctor. Lt. Governor Lee Fish-

er, a candidate for U.S. Senate,

said that Social Security has

never missed a payment in the 75

years, and that the just say no

crowd in Washington, would

destroy Social Security.

If youre not angry, yourenot paying attention, he stated.

Social Security and Medi-

care are two of our nations suc-

cess stories. Social Security has

helped generations of American

retirees with dignity and Medi-

care has helped reduce senior

poverty.

More than one-third of all

people 65 and older, rely on So-cial Security for 90% or more of

their income. Social Security

provides a safety net for more

than 53 million Americans, in-

cluding retirees, the disabled,

children and families. It also

provides life insurance and dis-

ability insurance protection for

millions of Americans.

About 160 million people

contribute to Social Security

through payroll taxes. About 53

million people receive monthly

Social Security benefits. With-

out Social Security, nearly half

of Americans, age 65 and older,

would live in poverty.

The average monthly Social

Security Benefit:

Retired worker - $1,164

Retired couple - $1,892

Disabled worker - $1,064

Widow or Widower - $1,123

Social Security taxes are

paid on earnings up to $106,800.

The current payroll tax rate is

6.2% for workers, which is

matched by employers.

Most people need 40 credits

(10 years of work) to qualify for

benefits.

While the privileged may be

fortunate to be setting aside for

their retirement, the fact re-

mains that the majority of to-

days families are struggling as

the result of high unemploy-

ment, stagnant wages, and shift

from traditional pensions to

401(k) plans.

In an interview with Norm

Wernet, State Director of the Al-

liance for Retired Americans,

following the seminar, he relat-

ed to me the fact that his father

died when he was 12 years old.His mother passed away not long

after. He and his sister received

Social Security benefits to help

them. Norm graduated from

high school, then college. He

said Social Security helped him

get an education.

Mr. Wernet had presented

Congressman Boccieri with a

petition from local membersurging that Social Security be

protected and preserved for pos-

terity.

AT OUR SOAR MEETING

SOAR members from around

the state will gather in Colum-

bus for the 15th Annual SOAR

Conference, to be held at the Ra-

mada Plaza on Monday, October

11.The Alliance for Retired

Americans has issued a petition

for the removal of Sen. Alan

Simpson from the Federal Fiscal

Responsibility Commission.

His remarks concerning So-

cial Security and those receiving

it, showed an attitude of disre-

NOVEMBER LUNCHEON

Swiss Steak

Redskin Potatoes

Peas

Jello Salad

Cake


11/12

October 2010 1

spect for us and our lives of

work. He stated that, Social Se-

curity is like a milk cow with

310 million tits, and that those

of us living beyond our working

years, are nothing but greedy

geezers who live in gated com-

munities and drive their Lexusto the Perkins Restaurant to get

the AARP discount.

If we are lower-income

Americans, we are the lesser

people of society. This is truly

an attitude that does not believe

in the common good that Social

Security provides. This petition

was signed by SOAR members

at our recent meeting.I dont know any of my

friends that live in a gated com-

munity and drive a Lexus. Of

course, they werent politicians

living in Washington.

Celebrating Birthdays in

September: Joyce Passalaqua,

Mary Robinson, Katrina Car-

roll, Cecelia Williams, and Sam

Harvey.Anniversaries: Bob & Nan-

cy Scheaffer Guests: Bob &

Nancy Scheaffer

New Member: Kathleen

Henderson

Promoted to Glory: Robert

(Red) Packmayer, brother of

Charlene Johnson. Robert

worked in Sanitation.

Just a ThoughtPeople can be divided into

three groups: Those who

make things happen, those

who watch things happen,

and those who wonder what

happened!

September 1 Meeting

*Tim Alban

*Harold Pyle*Ted Arbogast

*Lum Keenan

**Bob Seward

September 15 Meeting

Canceled*Donated to Meals on Wheels

**Donated to the USO

RecentRetirees

Golden Lodge congratulates

the following members who

have recently retired and will

now enjoy their union-negotiat-ed retiree pension and health-

care benefits.

Richard E. Andreski

Robert E. Card

Thomas A. Criss

William H. Knowles

George R. Rucker

David B. Shankle

Chad W. Smith

James V. Smith

Louis W. Solomon

James A. Walker

HAROLD HAUN, 77, Wooster Plant, P.OBox 458, Killbuck, passed away August 28

2010. Brother Haun joined the Union in 1953

and retired in 1992.

ROBERT E. RED PACHMAYER, 64

Dept. 98, 1257 Shorb, N.W., Canton, passed

away September 4, 2010.

EUGENE W. DECKERD, 90, DEPT. 190

P.O. Box 250, Bath, passed away September 8

2010. Brother Deckerd joined the Union in

1960 and retired in 1984.

WILMA A. TILTON, 87, Dept. 75, 205 Roh

Ave., N.W., Massillon, passed away Septembe

8, 2010. Sister Tilton joined the Union in 1948

and retired in 1980.

STEPHEN M. SHOCKLING, 50, Dept. 189

3728 Paris Ave., Louisville, passed away Sep

tember 18, 2010. Brother Shockling joined the

Union in 1997.

MARGARET I. HOLBERT, 76, Dept. 81

7333 Hill Church Street, East Canton, passed

away September 19, 2010. Sister Holbert joined

the Union in 1969 and retired in 1995.

PAUL W. FORSTER, 59, Dept. 752, 1376

Marilyn Ave., S.W., Canton, passed away Sep

tember 26, 2010. Brother Forster joined the

Union in 1973.

November 3

Regular Union Meeting

7:30 p.m.

November 10

Stewards Classes

9: 00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

November 17

Regular Union Meeting

9:00 a.m.

November 25 & 26

*Thanksgiving Day Holidays

*A Union-negotiated

contract benefit


12/12

O t b 201012

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teelworke rsLocal1123,GoldenLodge

1

234HarrisonAve.SW

C

anton,OH44706

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________________________________

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DDRESSSERVICEREQUESTED

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CANTON,

OH

Saturday,Nov. 13, 2010

8:00 am - 11:00 a.m.

at Golden Lodge

Veterans Day

Breakfast

All veterans and spousesare welcome!

Feel free to bring photos,memorabilia, etc. to share.

For more information call:

(330) 454-6137

During bargaining for the

2009 Basic Labor Agreement,

the Negotiating Committee se-

cured an additional $50,000 life

insurance benefit. This insur-

ance is in addition to the Compa-

ny provided life insurance and is

available for a monthly premium

deducted directly from your pay-

check.Golden Lodge members who

did not elect this benefit in 2009,

or at their recall from layoff,

have the opportunity to acquire

this additional life insurance

during the annual benefit elec-

tion period. This period usually

begins in November when pa-

perwork is mailed to you about

all your insurance choices.If you want this additional

life insurance, you will be re-

quired to provide a Statement of

Health Form. This form requires

you to provide a brief medical

history and your personal physi-

cian contact information.

In addition, MetLife requires

you to sign an Authorization for

release of all your medical infor-mation, records and health care

provider health data including

information about alcohol or

drug abuse.

They may also ask for a med-

ical examination.This informa-

tion is used to determine your

insurability.

Additional $50,000 life insuranceavailable now for low premiums

By Ron Roberts

Associate Editor

If this Authorization is not

signed, then the application forinsurance will not be processed.

These forms are available

from the Associate Benefits De-

partment at the Company, at

Golden Lodge Union Hall or

from a link on our blog site:

www.uswa1123.blogspot.com

If you are approved for the

additional life insurance, cover-

age will begin in January of the

next year, in this case, 2011.

It is recommended that you

acquire the Statement of Health

and Authorization forms, fill

them out and be ready to mail

them when you return the insur-

ance election paperwork indi-

cating your other choices.

The following chart was pro-vided by the Company during

negotiations and lists the ex-

pected monthly premium rates

for the coverage.

Must apply during Fall benefit election period

golden lodge news october 2010

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