USW Local 499 held a bucket drive at the plant's main gate on Dec. 12-13th, resulting in contributions of seven hundred forty dollars. Contributions came from employees of Solvay, Axens, Zoetis, Allnex, and contractors at the facility. These contributions were disbursed Dec.18th by Local 499 member Danny Summers. Karen Primm accepted the donation on behalf of Harrisville Baptist Church for the "Angel Tree Network". Through the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, donors can give joy to a child during the holiday season. The program provides new clothing and toys for children of families in need. Local 499 would like to thank all who contributed by making donations and Harrisville Baptist Church members for supplying gifts to the selected families.  

We are the United Steelworkers, Local 499. We currently consist of approximatey 250 members from Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler, Washington, Wood, and Wirt counties in West Virginia and Ohio. Local 499 is an amalgamated union made up of Allnex, Axens, Solvay, and Zoetis. Our members are leaders in your communities, in your work places, in our governments and more. We believe in better. We stand up and fight back for better. We work for working families.

United Steelworkers Local 9460 is holding a rummage sale on Oct. 5 from 9am to 1pm. It'll be held in the basement (Hall B) of the Duluth Labor Temple. All proceeds will be used to buy end of the year holiday gifts for the children of fellow working class families who are struggling. Please come by if you're able to, and help us spread the word. If you have any gently used clothes, toys or household items you'd like to donate, you can drop them off at our union office at Room 202 of the Duluth Labor Temple (2002 London Road). If you have any questions, you can reach us at [email protected] or (218) 724-5223.

Our union's monthly membership meeting will be held at 5:30pm at the union office.  Every member is welcome and encouraged to attend!

Our union's Activism Committee will be meeting at 5pm at the union office.  Any members interested in participating is welcome to attend!

Our union's Executive Board will be meeting at 4pm on Oct. 15.  All E-Board members and Unit Presidents are expected to attend.

We'll be holding our second meeting of the Labor-Management Committee for the Green Book unit.  The LMC is a joint union-management committee where we get together and discuss issues of concern.  At this meeting, one of our major goals is addressing the staffing crisis that PARs are experiencing in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Street Clinics.  Wish us luck!

The next negotiating session between Essentia Health the union negoatiating team for the Regional Clinics will be oon Sept. 27 starting at 9am.  Wish us luck!

Our Midwest Medical unit will be discussing and voting on their tentative contract agreement on Sept. 26 at 5:30pm in Hall B of the Duluth Labor Temple.  You have to be present to vote.

The union will be holding a meeting with the Midwest Medical PARs about their upcoming transfer to the Green Book contract.  The meeting will be from 9:45 to 10:30am in the Midwest Medical meeting room.

Call to Order:  President Shawn Willis called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm

Roll Call:  Roll call of officer was taken.  All answered except Tyron Rias, and Patrick Murphy.

Minutes of Previous Meeting:  Bob Wolters made to motion to waive the reading of August 2019 general membership meeting minutes, and accept them as written.

Trustees Report:  The Trustees Report for the month of September 2019 was read by Trustee Tamika M.  After completion of the reading, Bob Wolters moved the trustees report be accepted as read.

Officers Reports;  The Financial Secretary Report for the month of September 2019 was presented by Don Taylor.  After completion of the reading, Bob W. moved the financial secretary  report for the month of September 2019 be accepted.

The lost time and expenses report for the month of September 2019 was presented by Financial Secretary Don Taylor.  At the conclusion of the report, Bob W. moved that the lost time and expenses for the month of September 2019 be paid.

The Treasurer Report for the month of September 2019 was presented by Treasurer Greg Ford.  After completion of the reading,  Bob W. moved the Treasurer's Report for September 2019 be accepted as read.

Communications:  None

Committee Reports:  Safety - Charlie announced during battery change, members are driving through the area.  Charlie said, "Don't do this, could lead to a serious incident."  Greg M. asked, "Was there a feeder on the CA Line that got sick?"  Don T replied,  If your sick, stay home, by you coming to work, you take the risk of getting everyone else sick."  Don T spoke on one thing he had learned at the conference he recently attended.  Don T. said, "If you are taking CBD oil, and it cost less than $100.00, it more than likely has THC in it, and you will pop dirty on a drug test.  Good CBD oil costs more than $100.00.

Rob C.  asked, "What happens if you do pop dirty on CBD oil?"  Don T. replied,  "We comply to US Steel rules on NO TOLERENCE,  you pop dirty, you go through the program."

Training - No Report

WOS - No Report

Rapid Response - No Report

Contracting Out - No Report

Staff Report - Mike Young of International gave the staff report, and he spoke on the tribulations effecting members of ECT.  He spoke on upcoming negotiations with management on...