Volume 56, No.
9 October 2009
Union working for common
ground with the Company
Joe Hoagland
President
As I write this column, it is two
weeks beyond the expiration date
of our Basic Labor Agreement. I
hope that by the time you read this,
we will have a tentative agreement
on a new contract.
If and/or when that happens,
there will be some changes. As
your president, and as a member of
the bargaining committee, I will
make every effort to prepare a
contract summary that not only
gives you all of the information that
you need to decide, but also is sent
to you with enough time to make
that decision.
Your negotiating team has
worked diligently, and will continue
to do so, to find some common
ground with the Company that al-
lows us to move forward for the
next several years.
We have wrestled with many
issues, both collectively, and cer-
tainly individually. Our goal is to
present a new agreement that fulfills
most any way that you can. Couple
lack of work with a contract dead-
line, and beyond, and everything is
magnified.
every member’s needs. As unreal- So, continue to produce the
istic as that may seem - that is what quality that keeps our products in
we set out to do. demand, and do so in a safe man-
ner. And remember to, “Say a
I know those of you that are
good word about your union!”
working do so under some difficult
circumstances: from supervisors Still waiting for TAA
training and operating, to so-called At the present time there still
salary operatives (Salary Company
has been no determination on our
Associate = BS) from non-union petition for Trade Adjustment As-
facilities sharing the shop floor.
sistance (TAA).
Your patience with these situa-
I have been informed that en-
tions and your professionalism
hancements in benefits provided
speak volumes about your integrity
(before we applied) have made it
in some very tense times.
advantageous for many groups to
When work is slow, there is al- re-apply.
ways a crackdown on rule viola-
tions. This has caused delays beyond
the typical 40 days to receive a de-
When times are good, the termination.
Company is happy to see you put
quality product out the door, al- We will keep you posted.
Problems getting you down?
‘Let’s talk about it.’
Call Golden Lodge for help
(330) 454-6137
If you have a drug or alcohol problem, family troubles, financial
difficulties, or some other situation that is causing problems in your
life, there is help available. Call Golden Lodge at (330) 454-6137.
Leave a message and a member of the Community Services Com-
mittee will contact you in strict confidence.
 Labor Media Project renewed
at ILCA Pittsburgh convention
By Chris Tunney
Associate Editor
A late summer biennial conven-
tion was held recently for the In-
ternational Labor Communications
Association in Pittsburgh, PA.,
September 10-12.
At the last conference, in New
Orleans in October, 2007, the
ILCA set up a Labor Media Cen-
ter and held training sessions with
nearly 100 union journalists in the
latest communications technologies.
Armed with local union con-
tacts, the reporters recorded sto-
ries of workers and unions in the
post-Katrina era. The stories are
posted on a new website:
www.neworleanslabormedia.org.
ILCA team leader Randy Lyman, Patricia Bauer and Gary Schoichet, walk through part
of the “bore to the shore” project in the central business district in Pittsburgh. The project
stretches 1.2 miles in length and is 22 feet under the bottom of the Allegheny river bed for
a light-rail line. The twin 21 foot diameter connectors will be completed in December, 2011.
This confirms the old adage, there is light at the end of the tunnel!
2 October 2009
GOLDEN LODGE NEWS
GOLDEN LODGE NEWS STAFF
Tom Sponhour, Editor
Joe Hoagland, Managing Editor
This resulted in a powerfully Ron Roberts, Associate Editor
Chris Tunney, Associate Editor
presented, living archive of working
people’s experiences after the hur- LOCAL 1123 OFFICERS
Joe Hoagland, President
ricane. Paul Muller, Vice President
Pat Eslich, Recording Secretary
This year, we renewed the La- Joey Shearer, Financial Secretary
bor Media Project that was started Kathy Boyd, Treasurer
two years ago, and sought out sto- James Schweitzer, Trustee
Susie Camper, Trustee
ries about local workers’ struggles, Keith Strobelt, Trustee
the decline of manufacturing caused Paul McKenzie, Guide
by globalization, and how workers, Bill Webler, Outside Guard
Bob Seward, Inside Guard
through their unions, are organizing
Published monthly, except July, by
to defend themselves. the United Steelworkers, Golden Lodge
Local 1123, AFL-CIO, in the interest of
In a statement by ILCA Presi- its members and to further the aims and
dent Steve Stallone and Secretary- programs of the Union. USW Local 1123
Treasurer Michael Kuchta, they represents bargaining unit workers at the
Canton, Gambrinus, and Faircrest plants
said that by collaborating in a of The Timken Company.
newsroom on a project like this
can’t help but make us better jour- USW Golden Lodge Local 1123
nalists. While we build our individ- 1234 Harrison Ave. S.W.
Canton, OH 44706
(330) 454-6137
Fax (330) 454-3461
Email - golden@neo.rr.com
ual skills, we will also be building
the power of labor journalism,
thereby demonstrating how neces-
sary it is to invest in labor commu-
nications.
Each morning’s plenary began
with keynote speakers, starting
with USW International President
Leo Gerard, Thursday, to promi-
nent local leaders and politicians,
Friday, sharing their concerns, vi-
sions, and successes.
Inspiring the attentive crowd to
continue our important work, we
eagerly attended the many work-
shops provided.
Having selected our topics and
teams the first morning, we then set
out on various projects all around
the Pittsburgh area to report on the
issues confronting not just Allegh-
eny County residents, but that
these themes will resonate in cities
across the nation.
President Gerard spoke, gra-
ciously thanking the labor journal-
ists for their compassionate, dedi-
cated, and important work on the
front lines every day.
He encouraged and challenged
each of us to think big. Ask our-
selves, what kind of society can we
build? What is our responsibility to
our children?
Noting that there are laws pro-
tecting a Britney Spears album, but
there are not any laws protecting a
12 year old child from being forced
to work 14 hour days in today’s
world.
He said the current economic
rebound is a “jobless recovery,”
and that we need to reform Wall
Street. In fact, 38 states should file
bankruptcy if they had to abide by
the same rules as corporations.
Also in his remarks, were eco-
nomic facts, including the accumu-
lated trade debt for our nation
since 1994 is $6.5 trillion dollars.
Reminding us how much a billion
These are the happy champions of the Golden Lodge Thursday Morning Golf League, Gary
Walker, left and Terry Medley.
October 2009
really is, which he illustrated as this:
• A billion seconds ago it was
1959.
• A billion minutes ago Jesus
was alive.
• A billion hours ago our an-
cestors were living in the caves.
We have become the world’s
largest debtor nation, in fact, accu-
mulating more debt than all of the
G-20 countries that attended the
conference this month. “China’s
going shopping,” President Gerard
added, “buying assets in the USA.”
China will have the largest car
industry. They have the lead in re-
newable energy; even Boeing is
moving there, because that is
where the future is. We don’t have
anything against the Chinese peo-
ple, just the system. Sadly, work-
ers are thrown in jail for trying to
form independent unions.
In closing, he motivated us to
pressure our elected officials to
pass meaningful healthcare reform.
To view the work accom-
plished this year at Pittsburgh’s
ILCA convention, the website is:
http://ilcaonline.org/2009-conven-
tion
We have only just begun.
Richard Trumka
elected to top
AFL-CIO post
One-time coal miner Richard
Trumka, secretary-treasurer of the
AFL-CIO since 1995, was elected
its president at the union federa-
tion’s September convention. A
powerful speaker and strong per-
sonality, he promised a more ag-
gressive style than his predecessor,
John Sweeney, and pledged to
reach out to younger workers.
“We need a unionism that
makes sense to the next generation
- young women and men who ei-
ther don’t have the money to go to
college or are almost penniless by
the time they come out,” Trumka
told hundreds of cheering dele-
gates.
He said he would meet head-
on the challenge of rebuilding a la-
bor movement that once represent-
ed 35 percent of American work-
ers but is down to just 12.4 per-
cent today.
He told delegates that the labor
movement would lead the nation
out of its economic mess, where
millions work as temps, contrac-
tors, and home workers for low
wages, no health care and no job
Races celebrate 53rd
wedding anniversary
Ronald and Barbara Race will
celebrate their 53rd wedding anni-
versary on November 26.
Ronald retired from Depart-
ment 755 at the Gambrinus Steel
Plant in 1989 after 30 years of ser-
vice.
Congratulations!
3
 knowledgeable estimate, right now
Member Spotlight that very car is valued over $500.
In his stable of top-notch cars,
The ‘Toy Story’ of Mike Widmer he has a set that he bought in the
year 2000 which includes a car, the
By Kathy Boyd Mike told me that his ideal trailer, and an SUV; all for 75
driver just happens to be Tony bucks. He shared with me that this
It may be a sleek boat, an am-
Stewart. I asked why he was fa- ensemble, still pristine and in the
ateur ham radio setup, or perhaps
vored, and Mike stated that, original box, is worth well over
a unique gun collection. Whatever
“Stewart is a rebel and not a coun- $1,000 today. (By the way, Mike
the category, it is known that as a
try boy”. told me that he has two of these
general rule, men tend to take pride
These cars that Mike collects sets)
in their “toys”.
range in scale from 1/18th to 1/ Boasting an accumulation of
Mike Widmer is certainly no 24th of the dimensions of a life-size over 500 cars, the origins of this
exception in that area. Even car. The prices can be reasonable; extensive collection began when
though this major interest of his ac- some start at only five dollars, but Mike was just a teen. Twenty- two
tually resembles a toy, these items others can cost a pretty penny. It years later, he is still passionate as
are certainly nothing to play with. isn’t unheard of to pay upward to ever about his collection.
Prior to being laid off in April $200 for a model. Chris Widmer, who is Mike’s
of this year, Mike worked as a Over time, depending on the wife of 11 years, supports him all
Tender in the thermal treat depart- make, model, and condition of the way in his enjoyment of collect-
ment at Gambrinus Steel. each car, the value can certainly ing. He truly appreciates that she is
Joining Golden Lodge over four rise. For instance, Mike bought a totally cool with it.
years ago, he is looking forward to model of the “Elvis” bicentennial The Widmer boys, Jacob (8)
getting back to work soon. He be- car of which “Junior” drove on the and Nick (5), wish these die cast
lieves that our unity is our strength track. (As in Dale Earnhardt Jr.) cars were toys! They would love
and our protection. “Because of it”, The original price of this car cost to play with them, but as you can
says Mike, “we have reaped many him $125. According to Mike’s
benefits.” As an example, he refer-
enced our better paying jobs.
As you can tell by the photo,
the hobby that Mike enjoys in-
volves model cars. Not just any
type of car, but replicas of the ac-
tual vehicles that are driven in the
National Association for Stock Car
Auto Racing (NASCAR) circuit.
Unless you’ve been sheltered in
some way, you more than likely
have heard of the household names
associated with NASCAR. Names
like Jeff Gordon, Michael Waltrip,
Richard Petty (who has retired and
happens to be my personal favor-
ite) as well as the legendary late Mike Widmer and his son, Nick, 5, shows two of his cars from his extensive NASCAR
Dale Earnhardt Sr. (#3) collection. Mike, a member of Golden Lodge for over four years, is laid off from the
Gambrinus Steel Plant.

4 October 2009
perceive, these are quite valuable
and Dad can’t allow that. (well…..
maybe once in a while, right Dad?)
Unions continue battle
During this unemployment hia-
tus, Mike is keeping himself very
for health care reform
busy. He decided early on to take Unions continued their battle in September for meaningful health care
the optimistic approach to the situ- reform in America, trying to put some backbone in politicians who are be-
ation. In other words, he has taken ing swayed by the huge corporate campaign donations and conservative
lemons and made lemonade! talk radio-driven “town hall” protests.
The extra time has given him More than 47 million Americans are without health insurance today
the opportunity to spend more and those who have it, including union members, are being threatened by
quality hours with his family, which soaring premiums and co-pays that are resulting in higher and higher costs
is an absolute plus. He told me that for care.
he is definitely holding his head up The for-profit health care industry and their conservative support-
high and will deal with the hand ers in Congress spent the summer spreading absurd stories of how the
dealt to him! Obama health agenda calls for measures such as “Death Panels” that would
pull the plug on elderly patients.
Sort of sounds like he is a A plan to create a government-run health plan for those who want an
rebel too; just like his favorite alternative to private insurers – an option users could accept or reject –
driver. The best of luck to you was labeled Socialist and even Communist by opponents.
Mike…. here’s hoping that you The public option, as it is called, is seen as key to reform of a seriously
and all of our laid-off union broth- broken system. Speaking at the AFL-CIO convention in Pittsburgh, new-
ers and sisters return to work real ly-elected federation President Richard Trumka said:
soon! “We’ve all heard those who’ve said that we ought to be satisfied with
a health care reform plan that doesn’t include a public option. They seem
Recent Retirees to think that we ought to settle for whatever bill a few Republicans will sign
Johnny B. Blackstone, II onto, declare it a victory and go home.
“
Roger L. Blankenship What they need to learn,” Trumka said, “is that there’s a difference
Robert A. Brown between declaring a victory and actually winning one. And they need to
Randy L. Campbell learn something else, too: a plan without a public option may be a lot of
Gary L. Dancy things, but it sure as hell isn’t reform.”
Willard E. Gates
Edward E. Glaser
Steve D. Gleason, Jr.
Mark Goodson
Robert L. Habony
Darlene M. Hastings
David G. McKenzie
Tom P. Miller
Martha A. Mills
George A. Motz
Rex E. Shaner
Gary H. Shreve
Terry W. Staub
Randal P. Suarez
James J. Vaccaro
Roy M. Ward
Thomas F. Wilkinson

October 2009 5
 SOAR NOTES
By Jim Reed
We had two excellent speakers
this month. Andi Michelson, a
home healthcare aid, spoke about
a program she is starting. She feels
that there are people who don’t
want to go into assisted living, but
stay in their own home, but need
assistance.
She feels that there are also
people such as college students,
people with minimum wage jobs
that are hurting financially, that
could use extra income, and also a
place to live.
Mrs. Michelson has developed
a web site: www.abidewithme.us.
Their Mission Statement:
“To provide an online forum for
people to self-publish their needs
for housing or assistance: to bring
together people who can mutually
benefit from one another’s aid,
support and situation; and to en-
able the elderly and disabled to re-
main in their own homes by locat-
ing live-in help.”
Participants post their needs for
free, and view other listings for
free. Each party pays a small fee
when agreeing to correspond with
each other.
THE CANDY MAN
Larry Anastis, co-owner of
Anastasiades Chocolate Shop in
North Canton was our other guest
speaker. He not only talked about
making chocolate candy, but
brought samples for everyone. He
and his brother, Sam, have been in
business since 1984.
6 October 2009
I.W. Abel
Chapter
1/27
He stated that chocolate comes
from the cocoa bean which grows
20 degrees on either side of the
Equator. 45 percent of the cocoa
bean is grown in West Africa.
Some cocoa beans are also
grown in Hawaii. Their shop is lo-
cated at 6656 Wise Avenue, North
Canton, and I must say, the choco-
late is excellent!
Those celebrating birthdays
in September: Joyce Passalaqua;
Mary Robinson, 39; Susan Ben-
nett, Phyllis Gooding, Cecelia Will-
iams and Katrina Carroll.
Guest: Charles Dively
NOVEMBER LUNCHEON
Swiss Steak
Red Skin Potatoes
Peas
Jello salad
Cake
September 2 Meeting
Gary Huprich
*Susie Camper
*Harold Pyle
*Joyce Lawther
**Kelly Murphy
September 16 Meeting
Chuck Morris
*Andy Schneider
*Bill Shackle, Jr.
*Rick Metzgar
*Michael Kemp
*Donated to Rick Riffle
**Donated to the USO
The following members of
Golden Lodge have passed away
and Bibles have been presented
to their families.
HENRY H. LEWIS, 88, Dept. 86, 1424 Second
Street, N. E., Canton, passed away May 2,
2009. Brother Lewis joined the Union in 1952
and retired in 1987.
ESTHER M. DUNN, 87, Dept. 82, 1901
Bedford Avenue, S. W., Canton, passed away
September 3, 2009. Sister Dunn joined the Union
in 1970 and retired in 1984.
FLOYD R. BAER, 82, Dept. 136, passed away
September 14, 2009. Brother Baer joined the
Union in 1952 and retired in 1982.
LUTHER E. BYRD, 105, Dept. 60, passed
away September 21, 2009. Brother Byrd joined
the Union in 1961 and retired in 1969.
DEXTER R. CASTO, 82, Dept. 63, 6680
Maplehurst, S. E., East Sparta, passed away
September 26, 2009. Brother Casto joined the
Union in 1952 and retired in 1988.
WILLIAM F. PALMER, 82, Dept. 75, 672
Ladyne Avenue, Bolivar, passed away Septem-
ber 29, 2009. Brother Palmer joined the Union
in 1966 and retired in 1987.
William Smith
endorsed for Canton
City School Board
A former member of Golden
Lodge, William Smith, has been
endorsed for the a Canton City
School Board position in the No-
vember 3 election by the Hall of
Fame Central Labor Council .
Smith has attended Akron Uni-
versity, Kent State, and is a gradu-
ate of the National Guard NCO
Academy and has served as a Pre-
cinct Committeeperson for 14
years.
Bill worked as a Tool Grinder
from 1960 till 1972.

Yes on State Issue 3 casino ballot
proposal provides guaranteed
revenue and jobs for Ohio
Ohio voters have the opportu-
nity to approve a constitutional
amendment, State Issue 3, this fall
that would bring thousands of new
jobs to the state and millions of
dollars in guaranteed tax revenues.
The Ohio AFL-CIO and the
Ohio State Building and Construc-
tion Trades Council have endorsed
State Issue 3, the casino ballot
proposal.
State Issue 3 calls for the con-
struction of one full-service, first-
class casino each in Cleveland,
Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo,
will be on the Nov. 3 ballot.
34,000 new jobs
Here’s what it would mean for
the state: $1 billion in required new
private investment, $200 million in
licensing fees, $651 million annually
in tax revenue shared by all 88
counties and an estimated 34,000
new jobs, including the creation of
nearly 19,000 jobs during the initial
investment and construction phase
of the casino development, which
would begin in 2010.
October 2009
“When enacted, this casino
proposal will bring a much-needed
major private investment infusion
into Ohio’s struggling economy,”
said Ohio AFL-CIO President Joe
Rugola.
One key component is that the
plan mandates that casino develop-
ers and operators make a minimum
investment of $250 million in each
of the four casino destinations for a
total required investment of $1 bil-
lion.
It also imposes a permanent,
guaranteed 33 percent tax on gross
casino revenue, generating an esti-
mated $651 million in casino tax
revenues each year, with 85 per-
cent of the money targeted for all
88 counties, the eight largest cities
and every school district in Ohio.
The plan also contributes mon-
ey to the Ohio State Racing Com-
mission to help revitalize the horse
racing industry in Ohio and to fund
operations of the Ohio Casino
Control Commission.
Casino gaming also would al-
low the Buckeye State to become
competitive with its neighboring
states. Currently, Ohioans spend
over $1 billion annually in gaming
at neighboring states.
“The time is right for Ohioans
to embrace a responsible gaming
proposal. This initiative will keep
our gaming dollars in-state, create
thousands of good jobs and gener-
ate billions in tax revenues,” said
Dan Sciury, president of the Hall
of Fame Central Labor Council.
Primary backers of the propos-
al and funders of the OJG cam-
paign are:
· Dan Gilbert, through his Rock
Ventures partnership. Gilbert is
majority owner of the NBA Cleve-
land Cavaliers and operator of the
Quicken Loans Arena in downtown
Cleveland, as well as Chairman
and Founder of Quicken Loans.
· Penn National Gaming, Inc., a
prominent operator of gaming facil-
ities and horse racing tracks, in-
cluding Raceway Park in Toledo.
We need good jobs and busi-
ness investment. We ask for
your support in voting YES on
State Issue 3.
More information on the Ohio
Jobs and Growth Plan is available
at www.yesonissue3.com/
Please support the
United Way of Greater
Stark County
7
 Veterans’ Breakfast set for
Saturday, November 14
By Larry Yates
Veterans Committee
The Veterans’ Breakfast for
this year will be November 14,
from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Opening ceremonies will take place
prior to serving.
If you would like to volunteer
to serve for this event, be at the
union hall before the breakfast, and
our kitchen commander, Andy
Schneider, will put you to work.
Watch for the fliers. This has
been a popular event for our veter-
ans, and we will look for you!
On September 14, I was
able to attend a Veterans’ Con-
ference in Columbus, hosted by
the Ohio Attorney General, Rich-
ard Cordray.
A cabinet civil position was
created in August to address the
rising concern of veteran issues in
Ohio. In August, Ohio ranked
47th in its ability to connect to vet-
erans. When the position was cre-
ated, there were only 4,000 names
and addresses on file.
Now, 283,000 are on file, but
Ohio has 930,000 or more (esti-
mated) veterans. They plan to
have all of us on file by 2013.
There is a national certification be-
ing sought that will register all mili-
tary personnel at entry. Although
all the privacy issues need to be
satisfied and “need to know” certi-
fied.
Other issues talked about were
veteran benefits. One in ten vets
never seek help for health, educa-
8 October 2009
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
NON-PROFIT ORG.
PERMIT NO. 973
CANTON, OH
tion, job, etc. Did you know a vet-
eran has medical benefits for two
years after discharge? Legislation
is being formulated that will allow a
local vet organization increased al-
lotments from Bingo. In education,
scholarships and grants will be held
for the vet if deployed while in
school. Informal dispute resolution
will take priority for the veteran.
There are 30,000 dispute claims
yearly.
Identity problems will be tight-
_________________________________
ened and greater security on infor-
Steelworkers Local 1123, Golden Lodge
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
mation available to predatory
scammers. More help will be avail-
able for mobilized families. The
state saved 12 homes of deployed
1234 Harrison Ave. SW
members last year.
Canton, OH 44706
There is also legislation on the
Statehouse floor to allow a bonus
for Gulf War veterans. This is the
same program that the Vietnam
veterans received, only with an al-
lowance for inflation now. This
should be on the ballot for Novem-
ber. There will be a flier at the Veterans’ Day
union hall for information about the
bonus and some resource guides Breakfast
for veterans and active military
Saturday,
personnel.
To place yourself “in the pro- Nov. 14, 2009
gram” that the state is trying to set 8:00 am - 11:00 a.m.
up to find out where the vets are at Golden Lodge
and how we are doing, call 1-877-
OHIO-VET to identify yourself All veterans and spouses
and a veteran service officer are welcome!
(VSO) will answer to register you. Feel free to bring photos,
Any questions? Call the union memorabilia, etc. to share.
hall and leave me a message, and For more information call:
I’ll get back to you.
330-454-6137
See you November 14.