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    • Street Documentary
  • Journal
  • CV

 
Statement

Steelworkers

In the late 1980’s, the steel industry underwent tremendous changes including profit-margin decreases, foreign competition and new processes of steelmaking. It was a time when the gluttony of American industrialization was dwindling and cost-efficiency became the new dogma. To fight foreign competition and the keep steel mills working effectively, steel companies relied heavily on their workers. Under dangerous conditions, workers endured the risks involved and remained loyal for decades. When steel companies started to falter, bankruptcy was declared and often used as a means to exit the industry. Unfortunately, the steelworkers were the ones that had to bear most of hardship. Retired steelworkers who worked most of their lives at mills were left with pension checks that could barely cover minimal living costs and were suddenly responsible for all healthcare expenses. Some say that the government is to blame, or the steel companies are at fault for their heavy bureaucracies. But in the broader context, these portraits are about the deterioration of corporate responsibility and the effects on American society.

© 2021 dawn roscoe

Ed, Crane director and laborer for 34 years. “When the company went bankrupt, Chapter 11 cut all the health benefits to workers. We went to New York city to protest and went to a hearing. We finally got health benefits, but now all the benefits are lost. We pay out of pocket for health benefits and we have no life insurance.”
Joe Machinest, general maintenance for 47 years, deceased. “All my friends are dead. The pension plans only last six months. Usually, after retirement, people die within six months,”
James and Carol, James was a laborer for 30 ½ years. “When we were left with only $500 a month from the pension plan, I had to pick up aluminum cans to get gas money. I was a security guard at $11.97/hour and then went to a valve shop and made $5/hour. My muscles are torn, but I don’t get any disability so I can’t do any manual labor.”
Marion, Roll grinder for 34 years. “When the mill went down there were people who committed suicide. Back when the whole area was nothing but steel, we didn’t have to worry about a job. We knew very little about anything except how to make steel. We didn’t know anything about business or how to start a business.”
Walter, Blast furnace technician, electrican for 42 years. “My brothers all worked in the steel mill. I lost a brother to lead poisoning, and another to stress on the job. In the maintenance department, we were dirty all over and worked with noise, smoke, dirt and acid.”