“Our steel is used in cars,” U. S. Steel CEO John P. Smurna tells the Local 154 Tripartite Conference. “When you buy an American-made car, you’re buying our steel.”
FOURTY-FOUR OWNER representatives attended the Local 154 Tripartite Conference January 27 — a turnout that would make any tripartite conference planner proud. In addition, 110 contractor representatives and 75 Boilermakers made the trip to Local 154 headquarters to learn about Boilermaker programs and MOST , and to discuss the future of industrial construction.
Participants heard from a variety of speakers throughout the day. Local 154 Business Manager Ray Ventrone opened the conference with an explanation of the efforts to ensure the craftsmen sent to jobs are of the highest quality. “We take advantage of every training opportunity,” he said. “We do more training than any other local.”
Owners and contractors learned about those training activities and other Local 154 programs from L-154 apprenticeship coordinator John Hughes, L-154 instructor Gerry Klimo, and co-chairs of the L-154 Support Group Committee Charles Fascetti and Bernie Duffy.
U. S. Steel Chairman and CEO John P. Smurna provided insights into the steel industry in the Pittsburgh area and throughout the United States. “The story of U.S. Steel is the story of industrial development in the United States since 1901,” he said. “Our steel is used in cars. When you buy an American-made car that looks good, you’re buying our steel. We’re also big in appliances.”
He credited Boilermakers with doing good work, saying, “We count on you to do a good job, on schedule, and safe.”
But the economic downturn has been hard on the steel industry. “Last year [2009] was the worst year for steel since the 1930s,” he said. “Our utilization rate was only 30 percent, down from 85 percent.”
Consol Energy’s Executive Vice President and COO Nick DeIuliis spoke about future demand for energy and the important historical role the Pittsburgh area has played in energy with coal mines (since the 1700s), natural gas, and nuclear power.
Other speakers included Director of Legislative Affairs Abe Breehey, MOST Representative Roger Erickson, Director of National Construction Agreements David Haggerty, and NMAPC Impartial Secretary and CEO Stephen Lindauer.
