The American Iron and Steel Institute reports that in the week ending on October 10, 2020, domestic raw steel production was 1,502,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 67.9 percent. Production was 1,805,000 net tons in the week ending October 10, 2019 while the capability utilization then was 78.0 percent. The current week production represents a 16.8 percent decrease from the same period in the previous year. Production for the week ending October 10, 2020 is up 1.2 percent from the previous week ending October 3, 2020 when production was 1,484,000 net tons and the rate of capability utilization was 66.6 percent.

Adjusted year-to-date production through October 10, 2020 was 60,946,000 net tons, at a capability utilization rate of 66.2 percent. That is down 19.5 percent from the 75,741,000 net tons during the same period last year, when the capability utilization rate was 80.1 percent.

Broken down by districts, here's production for the week ending October 10, 2020 in thousands of net tons: North East: 147; Great Lakes: 538 (35.8%); Midwest: 154; Southern: 592 and Western: 71 for a total of 1502.

According to the Lake Carriers Association, shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.3 million tons in September, a decrease of 18 percent compared to a year ago. Limestone cargos were below the month’s 5- year average by 4.4 percent.

Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 2.7 million tons, a decrease of almost 17.7 percent from 2019. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 631,840 tons, a decrease of 19.5 percent.

Year-to-date the limestone trade stands at 19.3 million tons, a decrease of 17.4 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 15.4 million tons, a decrease of 19.7 percent. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 3.9 million tons, a decrease of 7.5 percent.

GREAT LAKES LIMESTONE TRADE: SEPTEMBER 2015-2020 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE (NET TONS)

YEAR-TO-DATE 2015-2020 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE (NET TONS)

According to the Lake Carriers Association, shipments of iron ore from U.S. ports on the Great Lakes totaled 3.9 million tons in September, a decrease of 33.1 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments were also below the month’s 5-year average by 30 percent.

Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 28.2 million tons, a decrease of nearly 27 percent compared to the same point in 2019.

Through September iron ore loadings are 24.2 percent below their 5-year average for the first three quarters.

Great Lakes Iron Ore Shipments: September 2015-2020 and 5-Year Average (net tons)
Includes Transshipments to Quebec City for Shipment Overseas

Members and Retirees of Local 5328

As most may have heard, we have had two Covid cases. The company is trying to follow public health rules, trying!! 

 It seems, though, there are different rules and regulations for different people. The ministry has been called but as usual, it doesn’t seem to go anywhere.  Our H/S committee are working extremely diligently to make sure you are safe! Great job to the H/S committee!! 

Here is an article in todays Hamilton Spectator, click on the link.

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2020/10/16/two-arcelormittal-workers-test-positive-for-covid-19-at-wire-mill-in-east-hamilton.html

Have a great and safe weekend! 

 In solidarity, 

Anthony Ciaramella 
President
USW Local 5328

COVID-19 is spread through the air. Infected people propel the COVID-19 virus into the air when they yell, sing and even talk. It’s not only from coughs and sneezes. Physical distancing and mask-wearing are two of the tools to avoid infection.

Ventilation, however, is another important and overlooked tool.

The TMC is sponsoring a webinar on the fundamentals of building ventilation and what to look for to make buildings safer during the COVID crisis. We will be joined by David M. Newman, MA, MS EOHS Associates, LLC, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Industrial Hygiene consultant.

Click here to register for Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (EST).

COVID-19 is spread through the air. Infected people propel the COVID-19 virus into the air when they yell, sing and even talk. It’s not only from coughs and sneezes. Physical distancing and mask-wearing are two of the tools to avoid infection.

Ventilation, however, is another important and overlooked tool.

The TMC is sponsoring a webinar on the fundamentals of building ventilation and what to look for to make buildings safer during the COVID crisis. We will be joined by David M. Newman, MA, MS EOHS Associates, LLC, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Industrial Hygiene consultant.

Click here to register for Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 from 2 to 4 p.m. (EST).

This virtual, interactive training will focus on identifying and addressing hazards through a workplace assessment tool known as Hazard Mapping. Participants will learn how to map areas of health and safety concerns within their workplace, especially in regards to new guidelines to protect workers against the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.

Click here to register Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 from 5 to 7 p.m. (EST).

Workers in high-risk occupations or who work in hazardous environments face significant risk of injury, which may lead to opioid or other substance use, overdose, or death. This training will describe the relationship between work and addiction, and how you can help curve the epidemic by making changes in your workplace.

Click here to register for Thursday, Nov. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. (EST).