Iron Range fired up Author: Susan Webb, People's Weekly World
The Iron Range is marked by red ridges, formed from earth dumped out of the open mines that dot the area. Iron ore brought people and jobs to this region, but the steel companies ravaged the landscape and fought the unions tooth-and-nail. Now, companies are throwing workers and retirees on the scrap heap. In the last four years, 11,000 steelworker jobs have disappeared in District 11, which stretches from Minnesota to Washington State.
Jerry Fallos worked at LTV’s nearby Hoyt Lakes mine for 35 years. He was president of USWA Local 4108, with 1,400 employees and 3,000 retirees.
“Out of the clear blue,” LTV closed the mine three years ago, giving only two months’ notice. Workers lost their health care, and retirees had their pensions slashed. Some found jobs in other mines, but many of those closed down too. Now many are working at $8/hour jobs.
“Basically they work to pay for health insurance,” Fallos told the World. “It’s sad to see a 50-year-old competing with high school kids to carry out groceries at the supermarket.”