<html> <head> <meta HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> <meta NAME="Generator" CONTENT="Microsoft Word 97"> <title>Our Struggle May 18, 1998</title> <meta NAME="Template" CONTENT="C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\html.dot"> </head> <body LINK="#0000ff" VLINK="#800080" BGCOLOR="#ffffff"> <img SRC="../images/cfiourstruggle.gif" WIDTH="600" HEIGHT="169"> May 18, 1998 Utility Monitors Power Fluctuations According to reliable sources, Pueblo's electric utility, Public Service Company (PSCo), is increasingly concerned about power fluctuations emanating from the Oregon Steel-owned mill in Pueblo, since a fire at the steel mill's regulating station took it off line as of May 5 or 6. The regulating station acts as a buffer between the steel mill and the electric grid that serves all PSCo customers. But until the regulating station is repaired, incoming power variations at PSCo will adversely affect the mill's melt rates, while voltage disruptions originating at the mill will go directly to the grid, possibly affecting all other customers. Sources now report that PSCo is noticing serious voltage variations which are disrupting the entire system, prompting the utility company to consider lowering the steel mill's power supply. That's just the mill's latest problem with electric power. On May 8 or 9, according to inside sources, the entire mill was shut down for a half day when PSCo's own problems forced it to reduce the power available to the mill. The steel mill apparently has agreed to be an "interruptible customer," subject to periodic power reductions, in exchange for unusually low electric rates. The problems originating at PSCo reduced the power available to the steel mill, at least through today. As a result, only one of the two steel-making furnaces can run at any time. The loss of one day's steel production is estimated at 3,300 tons. Furnace Meltdown, Ruptured Water Line! PSCo's problems are not the only reason the Oregon Steel-owned mill in Pueblo has not had both furnaces up and running. During the weekend of May 2-3, one of the two steelmaking furnaces suffered a meltdown, causing the immediate loss of about 110 tons of steel. According to sources inside the plant, both steelmaking furnaces were scheduled for maintenance May 4-6, but the lining on furnace #4 gave way before the maintenance could take place. That furnace was off line until the night shift on May 9. <table BORDER CELLSPACING="1" CELLPADDING="7" WIDTH="481"> <tr><td VALIGN="TOP"> "From what we hear, the company is more concerned with appearing productive than with actually being productive and recouping its strike-related losses." STEELWORKERS LOCAL 2102 PRESIDENT ERNEST HERNANDEZ, 5/13/98 </td> </tr> </table>   The company experienced a further loss in steel production when workers attempting to re-start furnace #3 on May 7, following the scheduled maintenance, increased the water pressure to the furnace's cooling jacket too quickly, rupturing the furnace's main supply line. That furnace was down until May 10. These are but the latest in a seemingly endless series of production and safety problems at the Pueblo mill, as the company postpones scheduled maintenance and pushes equipment beyond its limits in a futile attempt to recoup its losses from last year's unfair labor practice strike by 1,000 Steelworkers. When will the company learn that untrained, unskilled scabs and stressed-out managers just can't get the job done? 84th Anniversary of Ludlow Massacre Steelworkers Locals 2102 and 3467 are making plans to help the United Mine Workers commemorate the 84th anniversary of the notorious Ludlow Massacre. On Saturday, June 27, our members will participate in ceremonies in Ludlow, about an hour's drive from Pueblo. In 1914, the Rockefellers put down a strike at the CF&I mine in Ludlow in a bloody confrontation that left 66 men, women and children dead. The Ludlow Massacre resonates with the Pueblo Steelworkers, some of whom have forebears who witnessed the violence or worked at the mine.   <img SRC="../images/cfihelp2.gif" WIDTH="235" HEIGHT="196"> <img SRC="../images/cfifooter2.gif" WIDTH="600" HEIGHT="20">  <a href="index.htm">Return to CF&I Support Page</a> <a href="../index.htm">HOME</a> | <a href="../organize.html">ORGANIZE</a> | <a href="../news.html">NEWS</a> | <a href="../services.html">SERVICES</a> | <a href="../uswa.html">MAP</a> | <a href="../rapid.html">RAPID RESPONSE</a> | <a href="../newusers.html">HELP</a> | <a href="../feedback.html">FEEDBACK</a> </body> </html>