Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023
Submit items to news@LCnewspapers.com
Volume 10, Issue 35
Union leaders, community mark Labor Day in Lorain CARISSA WOYTACH THE COMMUNITY GUIDE
LORAIN — For the 26th year straight, union leaders, workers and families gathered to celebrate Labor Day in the International City. Filling Black River Landing with American Flags and union logos, the Lorain County Labor Unions’ Labor Day Family Family Celebration marked the historical achievements of American unions and promoted the need for their continued support. State Rep Joe Miller, D-Amherst, said he stood before those gathered Sunday afternoon with a sense of pride, not just as a state representative, but as a fellow union member. Miller was a member of UFCW 880 as a teen, and part of the Ohio Education Association as a teacher in Firelands Schools. “This city was built on the tenacity, dedication and hard work of union members like you,” he said. “And the rich heritage we celebrate (Sunday and Monday is a testament of that enduring spirit.” That heritage dates back to the late 1800s, when municipalities and states across the country recognized Labor Day before it was officially adopted by Congress in 1894, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This year’s Labor Day celebra-
ROGER SOMMER | The Community Guide
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, speaks at the 26th Annual Lorain County Organized Labor Unions’ Labor Day Family Celebration at Black River Landing on Sept. 2. tions come in the midst of a teachers’ strike in Youngstown, a threat of United Auto Workers (UAW) strikes against Stellantis, General Motors and Ford, and an ongoing writers and actors guild strike. David Green, director of UAW Region 2B, said Labor Day is not
just an excuse for an end-of-summer barbecue, but a time to recognize the strides made in worker safety and dignity by unions. Region 2B represents more than 180,000 active and retired auto workers in Indiana and Ohio, Green said, spread out across
more than 120 locals. “This day was built out of the Industrial Revolution,” he said, referencing the Pullman Railroad Strike in the 1890s for wage increases after their pay had been reduced. LABOR DAY PAGE A4
UAW President: Ford contract offer ‘insults our very worth’ OWEN MACMILLAN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE
With a potential strike looming, both the Ford Motor Company and the United Auto Workers union released statements about their ongoing contract negotiations on Aug. 31. The UAW is in the middle of negotiations with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. The current contract between the parties expires on Sept. 14, and UAW members recently voted 97 percent in favor of authorizing a strike if necessary. Any strike would affect Lorain County’s Ford Ohio Assembly Plant, which sits in parts of Avon Lake, Sheffield and Sheffield Lake. The plant employs about 1,800 workers and produces primarily chassis and full productions of Ford pickup trucks. In a news release sent just after 7 p.m., Ford officials touted “significant” pay increases it said would raise the average yearly pay of UAW workers from $78,000 to $92,000. “After extensive negotiations, Ford has presented a generous offer on the upcoming contract that would UAW PAGE A3
Disaster declaration from recent storms remains unlikely DAVE O’BRIEN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE
While it is unlikely that the state of Ohio will declare a state of emergency in response to the severe storms that hit Lorain County Aug. 23-25, a private disaster relief organization is expected to set up in the county by the end of next week. In emails to elected officials the last week of August and shared with The ChronicleTelegram, Lorain County EMA and Homeland Security Director Dave Freeman wrote that most of the damage caused by three days of storms is limited to basement flooding and downed trees, “which unfortunately, don’t contribute to loss totals.” “An emergency declaration by any individual community often creates the expectation of financial compensation which may not occur and is not recommended,” he wrote. “FEMA only considers costs beyond those covered by insurance. In addition, we must have a presidential declaration of disaster to open funding which
only occurs when requested by the governor AND thresholds for damage are met.” Lorain County and the municipalities in it can help residents by adding extra garbage and bulk item pickups — many have already done so — and also keep a list of tree services and disaster restoration companies that can be put on municipal websites or social media, Freeman suggested. He also asked officials to track damaged infrastructure that could benefit from federal assistance, including roads, bridges, wastewater facilities and public property. The United Way of Greater Lorain County’s 211 service also is tracking residential damage and is doing follow-ups with residents in need, Freeman wrote, while the American Red Cross is doing damage assessments and helping with cleanup of flooded basements. Freeman said his staff of two — himself and Emergency Operations Manager Hope Bonos — have toured the county to track storm damage. “This is being done not only
INSIDE
Family reunited with ‘lucky’ dog after storms ● A4 for the current event but also for inclusion in hazard mitigation plans and grant requests,” he wrote. Freeman also is coordinating disaster response efforts with the Ohio EMA, and has asked elected officials for a list of affected homeowners to present to state officials. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA, normally doesn’t take basement flooding into account when determining criteria for a disaster declaration, “but since we have so many (and most have never experienced this issue), the only way to see if we can make something happen at the state and federal level is by being able to paint the picture of impacts,” Freeman wrote. In the meantime, the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Organization is sending staff to assist with flood cleanup, tree removal, sanitation and mold/mildew
Calls for help United Way of Greater Lorain County’s 211 system received about 1,5000 calls and emails the first week after storms hit the county on Aug. 23. The bulk of those calls for service were from Lorain and Elyria, Community Impact Director Christine Matusik-Plas said in an email — but it had received calls and emails from every ZIP code and community in Lorain County. The first day after the storms, many of the calls were from individuals or families whose living spaces, such as basement apartments, were entirely flooded and required resources for temporary relocation. The top requests were: ● Home sanitation information, supplies and services ● Food pantries ● Hot meals ● Disaster food stamps/SNAP ● Home repair and restoration ● Large appliance removal and repair ● Clothing assistance ● Beds, bedding ● Transportation ● Baby supplies
prevention, Freeman told elected officials. The organization will be staying in an Elyria-area church and
should have a more full response in place by Sept. 10, Freeman said. DISASTER PAGE A4
INSIDE THIS WEEK County
Keystone gets outdoor classroom ● A3
Oberlin
Wellington
Overdose awareness vigil ● A5
EF0 tornado confirmed ● A4
OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A5 • CROSSWORD A7 • SUDOKU A7 • KID SCOOP A8