Steel strikers hit NYC streets streets: Sweeney to LaBow: 'We're watching you.'

by Fred Gaboury

This article was reprinted from the July 26, 1997 issue of the People's Weekly World. For subscription information see below. All rights reserved - may be used with PWW credits.

NEW YORK - The "streets and suites" campaign of the Steelworkers union that targets financial institutions holding or controlling large blocks of WHX stock, picked up steam this week as AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney, and Steelworkers President George Becker joined a busload of steelworkers on strike against the Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation at a rally in front of the Manhattan offices of Merrill Lynch on July 22.

WHX is the parent company of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation, site of a 10-month strike by 4,500 members of the Steelworkers union. Merrill Lynch owns or controls two-and-a-quarter million shares - more than 9 percent - of WHX stock.

In a short, hard-hitting speech Sweeney said he was in the Big Apple to tell Merrill Lynch CEO David Komansky that he can't have it both ways. "You are a major shareholder and, as such, bear a major share of the blame for a strike that is putting 4,500 steelworkers and their communities through a living hell."

Sweeney said if Komansky were to look out his window he would be looking at the 13 million members of the AFL-CIO "who are looking at you!"

Sometimes peppering his remarks with shop floor language, Becker called the 10-and-a-half-month strike against Wheeling-Pitt the "most definitive strike in the history of the USWA."

Becker drew loud shouts of approval when he warned that Corporate America "is watching this strike. LaBow is being propped up by outfits like Merrill Lynch. who are on the other side in this fight and we should treat them that way."

Larry Mallas, president of USWA Local 1190 in Steubenville, Ohio, was on his second trip to New York in less than a month. "We've given Wheeling-Pitt more than a $100 million worth of concessions since 1985," he said. "Now it's our turn."

Earlier Mallas told the World that although the campaign to force outfits like Merrill Lynch to demand that LaBow settle the strike was "not yet up to speed, we are making progress."

Mallas said the CEO of Dewey Square Investors, with more than 10 percent of WHX stock, had demanded that LaBow not make statements in behalf of the firm. "LaBow said Dewey Square had told WHX to hang tough, when, in fact, that's not what they told the AFL-CIO."

Sharon Sims, who has worked for Wheeling-Pitt for 23 years, was one of those making the nine-hour ride from Wheeling, West Virginia. "My husband would be here, too" she said, "but he's home taking care of our sick daughter."

Amelia Harris, a retired member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and Ruth Walcott, a retired Teamster, were both wearing "Senior Summer" T-shirts and were part of the 25-member contingent of retirees who are working with the youth volunteers of Union Summer.

"We've been in this kind of a situation before - several times," Harris said. "The steelworkers need our support."

Other speakers included Jay Mazur, president of UNITE, who said the Wheeling-Pitt battle was a test of "need versus greed" and between the "solidarity of many against the privilege of a few." Then, shaking his fist skyward, Mazur said Komanski had two choices: "You are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem."

The Manhattan rally was part of the AFL-CIO corporate campaign demanding that institutional investors holding large blocs of WHX common stock put pressure on LaBow to settle the Wheeling-Pitt strike. Similar demonstrations have taken place in other cities, the largest being the June 12 demonstration by more than 1,000 strikers and labor leaders at the Mellon Bank headquarters in Pittsburgh. USWA negotiators met with LaBow July 23. No reports on the outcome were available at press time.

Bring food, money to NYC drop-off points for Wheeling-Pitt strikers

New York Labor will join their steelworker brothers and sisters on strike in the Ohio Valley against the Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. with a solidarity caravan August 15-17. The announcement was made by the Central Labor Council at the July 22 rally in front of the Merrill Lynch corporate headquarters.

"We want to do more to help the steelworkers win the strike," sad Adam Britt, vice-president of USWA Local 9374. "The working people of the Ohio Valley can't come to New York, so New York labor will join the picket line there. Our solidarity is aimed to help every striking worker, their families, their children and communities in the fight to defeat Wheeling-Pitt."

Support is also coming from religious and community organizations. The committee is working to fill buses, vans and cars. Badly needed strike funds and money to transport and house the caravan are being collected. They plan to cram an 18-wheel tractor-trailer provided by the Teamsters Union with non-perishable food items (canned goods, rice, pastas, cereals, packaged goods, powered and/or Parmalat milk, coffee, tea, baby food and formula, disposable diapers, etc.)

Presently there are four drop-off locations:

Manhattan: Musicians Local 802, 322 W. 48 Street (212) 245-4802, Judy West

Brooklyn: Council of Supervisors and Administrators / 16 Court Street (718) 852-3000, Manny Korman

Bronx: Communication Workers Local 1105, 702 Rhinelander Ave. (718) 430-1500, Kathy Ciners

Staten Island: Food and Commercial Workers Local 342, 34 Dumont Ave. (718) 987-9394, Anna Serrano

Donations can be sent to N.Y. Wheeling-Pitt Support Committee, c/o N.Y. Central Labor Council, 386 Park Ave. S., NY NY 10016. For more information call Mike Quinn, Bill Davis or Adam Britt at (212) 685-9552.