30 years ago

PALMER — Cost-cutting measures at the Tilden and Empire iron mines have prompted safety concerns and increased grievances from the United Steelworkers of America. “I think management is putting production over safety in many cases,” said Charles Prusi, grievance chairman for USW Local 4950 at the Empire Mine near Palmer. “For example, [CCI] proposed one electrician where two worked before for safety reasons. Our grievance load has more than doubled.” CCI officials maintain that safety has not been compromised. “We will not jeopardize safety for production. Safety is a major priority at both mines,” said Don Ryan, the company’s local public affairs representative. But pit workers are constantly pressured to improve production and that could lead to safety problems, said Sterling Schultz, president of Local 4974 at the Tilden. “One of our major concerns is that our employees are not replaced by outside contractors,” said Don Mattson, a USW staff representative. “As of recent, we have arbitrated numerous cases of contracting-out issues.” But Schultz said CCI is overstating the cost of producing pellets at the Tilden. By year’s end, the mines will have 12 240-ton production trucks, 20 170-ton trucks, and one 190-ton truck. The heavy equipment fleet is also being beefed up with several large loaders, electric shovels and mammoth bulldozers. Meanwhile, job reductions at both mines are being done through attrition. Some 20 positions in the Empire pit have not been replaced over the past year, Prusi said.

60 years ago

ISHPEMING — During this week’s regular meeting the Ishpeming City Council approved City Manager Frank Gerstenecker’s recommendation for purchase of a new city ambulance. A 1965 Cadillac ambulance will be obtained at a cost of $9,835 from the Superior Coach Co. of Hales Corners, Wis. The manager revealed that the present 1955 ambulance was in poor condition, its doors are unsafe and the entire vehicle is in “pathetic condition.” The city expects delivery of the new ambulance within 90 days. During 1964, the old ambulance was called out 103 times in the areas of Ishpeming, Negaunee, Marquette, Palmer, Michigamme, Ishpeming Township, Humboldt Township, Ely Township, the county airport, mining properties and “dry-runs” (when ambulance was not needed). Ambulance attendants appearing at a previous meeting of the council revealed that the vehicle was unsafe from a health standpoint because of escaping exhaust fumes.