Rally boosts support for USX workers

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SOCIALIST ACTION NOVEMBER 1986 LORAIN, Ohio-On Oct. 18, United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Locals 1104 and 2354 hosted a march and rally here in support of the workers locked out by USX since Aug. 1. Local 1104 President Al Pena estimated that 5000 to 6000 people showed up to express their opposition to USX's union-busting at -tempts.

Hundreds of steelworkers from the locked-out USX mill in Lorain came with their families. Two busloads of steel -workers came from Cleveland. A bus brought LTV pensioners from Warren, Ohio. Several USX steelworkers from Pittsburgh and Gary, Ind., participated.

There were also large delegations from area auto plants. The building trades were well represented in the march. There were also teamsters, rubber workers, government workers, and workers from many other local unions. A three-piece band from the Musicians Union led the way.

As the demonstrators marched past the huge Usx mill, they voiced their encouragement to the pickets by chanting "hold that line." When the protestors reached the main gate, they began singing "Solidarity Forever."

Throughout the three-mile march, on -lookers expressed their solidarity. Passing motorists honked their horns and displayed "V" signs or clenched fists. A fire engine sounded its alarm in support. Residents came out of their homes to wish the marchers luck.

The opening speaker at the rally, USWA Local 1104 President Pena, reminded those Post Office Box 404830 IMPACT Brooklyn, NY 11240-4830 718-855-2140 ISUALS Affordable photos, cartoons, caricatures and illustrations for the movement and the progressive press from other unions that they can expect to face the same corporate attacks. He added, "But I'll be damned if they'll get by the steelworkers in Lorain."

Pena described the effective picket-line action that prevented USX's attempt to use scab supervisory personnel to ship steel pipe on Sept. 21 and 22. Although 50 workers were arrested over the two-day period, they successfully prevented steel from leaving the plant.

Before Sept. 21, the steelworkers had allowed supervisors free access in and out of the plant. However, once these super -visors began doing the bargaining-unit work of shipping steel, they were no longer allowed in and out of the plant.

The company went to court demanding an injunction limiting the number of pickets and guaranteeing its access to the plant. Its attorneys were able to gain a temporary injunction that limited the number of pickets to five per gate and guaranteed supervisors access to and from the plant.

But to the company's shock, the in -junction also prohibited supervisors from doing bargaining-unit work and stated that any customer wishing to remove steel purchased prior to Aug. 1 had to receive permission from the judge and then remove it themselves.

Workers recognized that it was their militant picket line defense which forced this unusual court order. Since then, a new court order permitted one customer's order to be shipped. The order stated that union members would have to be brought back to work under the contract provisions in effect prior to the lockout to ship any additional orders.

USWA International Vice President (Administration) George Becker explained the issues that have kept 22,000 steelworkers locked out since Aug. 1. "Money isn't the issue," he said. "It's job combinations and contracting out. Not only your dignity, but thousands and thousands of your jobs are on the line."

Becker explained that the cash flow generated by Marathon Oil. a USX subsidiary, is being used to finance the lockout. He urged demonstrators to spread the message to every Marathon customer that their money is being used to starve out steelworkers.

United Auto Workers Union Region 2 Director Warren Davis pledged his union's total support stating, "We understand that your fight is our fight."

Since the lockout began USX has refused to return to the bargaining table. When U.S. Steel Supply workers' contracts expired on Oct. 1, USX responded by locking them out. The company attempted to institute even harsher wage and benefit cuts than those they unsuccessfully tried to impose on USX workers in basic steel.

USX has taken legal action to try to stop those states that are paying unemployment compensation benefits to the locked-out steelworkers. This rally and similar rallies organized in other cities at major USX facilities are designed to show the company that its attempts to starve out the workers will not succeed.

Carl Icahn (of TWA fame) and several other well-known corporate raiders recently purchased large blocs of US stock. While rumors of a possible takeover grow, the USWA emphasizes that its demand for a fair and equitable contract remains the same regardless of who owns USX or what alias the company chooses to use.

Uos. roslar service stalement ol wwnership Management and Circulation (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685).

1A. Title of publication: Socialist Action.

1B. Publication no. 721090 2. Date of filing: Oct. 6, 1986 Frequency of issue: Monthly. A) No. of issues published annually: 12. B) Annual subscription price; $6.00.

4. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: Socialist Action Publishing Association, 3435 Army St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 94110-4543.

5. Complete mailing address of the headquarters of general business offices of the publisher: Socialist Action Publishing Association, 3435 Army St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 94110-4543.

6. Full names and complete mailing address of publisher, editor, and managing editor. Publisher: Socialist Action Publishing Association, 3435 Arniy St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 94110-4543. Editor: Alan Benjamin, 3435 Arny St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 94110-4543. Managing Editor: Don Mahoney, 3435 Army St., Suite 308. San Francisco, CA 94110.4543.

7. Owner (if owned by a corporation, its name and adaress must be stated and also immediately thereunder the sues and addresses ofisto, kholders outine or dollar see total amount ofstock In dodgedby a corporation, the names and addresses of the individusi owners musi be diven. I owned by a pampershp or other unincorporated firm, its name and e luress is woll as fat of each individual must be given It the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, its name an address must be stated.): Socialist Action Publishing Association (unincorporated), 3435 Army St., Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94110, Nat Weinstein and Alan Benjamin, 3435 Army St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 94110.

8. Known bondholders, morgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities (if there are none, so state: None.

9. For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at special rates (Section 423.12 DMM only): Does not apply.

10. Extent and nature of circulation. Average no. copies each issure during preceding 12 months. A. Total no. copies printed (net press run): 2,500. B. Paid and/or requested circulation (1) Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales: 914. (2) Mail subscriptions (Paid and/or requested: 705. C. Total paid and/or requested circulation (sum of 10B1 and 10B2): 1,619. D. Free distribution by mail, carrier or other means, samples, complimentary, and other free copies: 86. E. total distribution (Sum of C and D): 1,705. F. Copies not distributed (1) Office use, left over, unaccounted, spoiled after printing: 778. (2) Return from news agents: 17. G. Total (Sum of E, F1, and 2-should equal net press run shown in A): 2,500.

Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to. filing date. A. Total no. copies printed (net press run): 2,500. B. Paid and/or requested circulation (1) Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales: 1120. (2) Mail subscription (Paid and/or requested): 711. C. Total paid and/or requested circulation (Sum of' 10B1 and 10B2): 1,831. D. Free distribution by mail, carrier or other means, samples, complimetary, and orner free copies: 0. E. Total distribution (Sum of C and D) 1,831. F. copies not distributed (1) Office use, left over, unaccounted, spoiled after printing: 669. (2) Return from news agents: O. G. Total (Sum of E; Fland 2-should equal net press run shown in A): 2,500.

11. I certify that the statements made by me above are , correci and complete.

(signed)

Don Mahoney Business Manager