Steel Industry 1944 Toledo Ohio

[silver760]

The open hearth method and the skill and experience of the operators produced far better steels than modern methods using oxygen converters.Older steels produced up to the mid sixties machine nicely and are far more resistant to corrosion.This becomes evident when working on things such as old car bodies and vehicle components.I recently bought some 11/4" new rolled plate which was terrible to machine with hard spots all over and running right through it,itsupposed to be good quality!!

[Kong80King]

Digitally remastered it would be search for oil and we live for oil. How ironic, remembers me of `Duck and Cover` :)

[priza220]

I'm proud to be a steel worker.. :)

[mikec6201]

Great video and not a single f ing hard hat to be seen,

[njRRtrainer]

Great video - history repeats itself...

[Conan568]

Films like these are our time machines.

We get to look into the past.

What a great video.

[ARKSOLDIER7]

GO OHIO!!!!

[sidexrulz2006]

Great historical footage. Sad there are not to many steel cities left in the US or in Europe.

[HarborGuy]

And now the business is all in Japan. SAD!!

[ARKSOLDIER7]

@HarborGuy that or china :'(

[spatiotemporal]

The Youtube title says Toledo but the narration says Youngstown. I'm sure the latter is correct.

Too bad about the idiots below blaming all economic problems on the unions. Without unions, their fathers or grandfathers might have died on the job, and they might not have been born.

[WoodlandRavah]

That may be true spatiotemporal but nowadays we have OSHA and rights. Not only that but its because of unions that all of our jobs are being shipped over seas, hope you have a government job, because those are the only one doing well right now. Unions drive up prices and reduce production. Not only that but they corrupt politicians and take $ away from people who just want to work for a living, I dont want pensions, health care, ect, I want to be able to provide that for myself.

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

That makes no sense whatsoever. If unions reduce production then why has productivity INCREASED for the past 50 years?

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

["If unions reduce production then why has productivity INCREASED for the past 50 years?"]

Individually as per person here in the US productivity has gone down.

Overall since then yeah it's gone up, but that is primarily because of technology.

Let me ask you, what does the US export besides grain, government subsidized vehicles, and military hardware?

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

If that were the case then primarily non-union industries such as the southern textile industry would still be operational. The US cannot compete with 2nd and 3rd world countries when said countries do not possess the same standard of living and lack basic labor/environmental laws. They live in the late 1800`s in terms of both.

Lastly, please show me the source that shows that per person productivity has decreased, I am curious.

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

["Lastly, please show me the source that shows that per person productivity has decreased, I am curious."]

US trade balance is still negative. 2010, 140B$ in exports, 180B$ in imports...

"The job loss during this continual volume growth is explained by record breaking productivity gains..." - wiki - "economy of the united states" - "manufacturing"

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

Forgive me but are you saying the per person productivity has decreased because the US has a trade deficit? Perhaps I am just confused at what you are trying to say.

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

The trade deficits my 1st point, is purely suggesting as is the fact that we import more than we export, one of the signs of a service industry.

The 2nd point of job loss coinciding with increased productivity gains tied to improvement in technology, falls in line with my original point... "Individually as per person here in the US productivity has gone down.

Overall since then yeah it's gone up, but that is primarily because of technology."

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

Then how is it the unions fault? Are you saying unions drove the US to improve manufacturing technology which then in turn contribute to an increase in productivity? I really do not see how the Union is to blame. Even non-union business must increase productivity through technology to level the playing field against nations that have no labor or environmental laws. It is not like any politicians is clambering for tariffs to counteract currency manipulation and lack of laws.

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

["Then how is it the unions fault?"]

Costs being driven up by labor that demands excessive benefits, why would you keep industry here where someone in China will do twice as much at a fraction of the cost?[while polluting] I am pointing out that unions are not free market, they do not represent a country where people have right to work if qualified. How is that capitalist again? Forcing many to pay for needless beaurocracy, which in the end only leads to price increases.

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

What prevents a non-union business to do the same thing. Say 20 dollars per hour wage for union and 16 per hour for non-union. Both are much higher then the 25 cent per hour China wage. Not to mention no need for basic safety, environmental or labor regulations. Look at the US textile industry, it was mostly in the non-union south and when the way of the dodo because of cheap foreign labor.

Free market in a global economy is an illusion. China freely manipulates its currency.

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

Then why are'nt unions calling for tarrifs on Chinese exports, they compete with you?

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

They are, but no one listens. Besides any tariff has to be authorized by the World Trade Organization. Some politicians have the idea that tariffs are harmful to the free market.

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

[" China freely manipulates its currency."]

Just like US!

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

Well you actually are right thanks to the federal reserve manipulating interest rates. There lies the point. The free market is an illusion, easily manipulated.

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

["It is not like any politicians are clambering for tariffs to counteract currency manipulation and lack of laws."]

Exactly! They are in the pockets of big business/bank or so goes the accusation. Also we the US are fully guilty of currency manipulation as well, How many trillions did the federal reserve print in the past year?

Unions, Over regulation, Worker's "rights"[not negotiating], artificial resource scarcity, corruption, these are what cripples a formerly strong nation.

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

["Even non-union business must increase productivity through technology to level the playing field against nations that have no labor or environmental laws."]

Implying that Non Union is less capable of doing so.

[reading]Fed-Ex, Wal-Mart, Verizon, Comcast, IBM, are non union, Boeing is being sued for trying to set up plants in a "right to work " state. That and if people are so willing to shut down anything in the US that burns oil, why are they so eager to buy Chinese goods?

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

Not implying anything. Union or non-union has nothing to do with it! Both have the same concerns with regards to competing against China.

I am just confused on your point. Productivity in the US is at its all time high, is that supposed to be a bad thing?

[That and if people are so willing to shut down anything in the US that burns oil, why are they so eager to buy Chinese goods?]

The prices. 25 cent per hour wages do that.

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

Meanwhile actual unemployment numbers are around 20% including qualified people NOT looking for work... What city do you live in? Sounds like you are one of the lucky few still busting ass.

I have been looking but the economy is dying, I'm not in a union so of course I would'nt be employed...

Talking to you makes me depressed, since you think that individuals are incapable or unqualified to negotiate their own wages and hours, that's the gubments/union's job, right?

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

It works for hourly employees, especially in manufacturing industries that must operate 24/7. Say you have a steel mill with 1500 hourly employees. Think about having to individually negotiate wages and hours. The union creates a tiered system that places employees in pay brackets depending on education, experience and time served with the company.

You can work overtime if you want, and on holidays if you wish (double time!). There is plenty of oppourtunites for overtime.

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

["25 cent per hour wages do that."]

There's been times I wish I could make that... What REALLY gets me bent is forcing employers to pay time and a half for overtime, without the ability for ME to negotiate out of that. I want to work, but everything fucks with that, the law, people's BS beliefes, ect... You anger me human.

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

Then become a salary employee. You can work overtime and not be paid a cent.

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

That's just justifying the unjust, "become a salary employee. You can work overtime and not be paid a cent."

Why cant I work overtime as hourly, without punishing my employer?

Why cant I, the employee, negotiate anything, including a transition to salary from hourly or vice versa?

I have always underbid my fellow workers, but because we live in a sue happy society when I say something like this to my employer they suspect I'm trying to f@#$ them over... I H8 lawyers...

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

How is that punishing my employer? Working overtime on 12 hour rotating shifts is quite hard on the body, why shouldn`t you get paid more? I think the problem is you do not value your skills and your time. You are not a slave for petes sake.

We agree on one thing. I hate lawyers too!

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

["You are not a slave for petes sake."]

Actually considering all of my federal tax money goes to pay off mounting interest payments on our debt, yeah in a way I am a slave... I know what you mean, But I earn my money, I dont ask for benefits or X or Y... Government, business, society, ect... owe me nothing, and vice versa.

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

Well if I could built a time machine I would send you to the late 1800`s. An industrial worker during the gilded age sounds like a job for you.

[WoodlandRavah]

@Allante715

["Then how is it the unions fault?"]

I just lay the blame for lack of competitiveness at their feet, other problems, they are mearly contributors.

[Allante715]

@WoodlandRavah

How can anyone expect to compete with countries that have low wages, no basic labor/environmental/safety laws? Union or nonunion, does not matter.

[70macsdace]

We have almost for sure lost Cocking plant here in Toledo and Oregon becuse of a certain person in oregon who is rich and lives in the fancyest house in oregon and her husband owns a major compnay . Sandy..... She along with the sirea club (domestic wacos) has did bad for our economy. The Plant would put out almost zero emmisions, but the EPA keeps there jobs by closing and delaying anything that can help create jobs. The same as the DOL this republican arm hurts american jobs also.

[70macsdace]

In toledo ohio unions and the building trades are keeping jobs here do the research. Carty and his buddy who are trying to develop the river front ect have already brought in scab labour from out of town they come up from down south stay in hotles and steal our work (larry Dilan). Ronald Regan did horible damage to the unions and along iwth the EPA has closed countless factories. The more the EPA ruins our country with the "fake" global warming the jobs go over seas and the more EPA keeps BS.

[fireandhammer]

This the time my grandfather was working his way up as a tool and die maker, through shops during the war. Now I continue the tradition as a blacksmith/metal sculptor/fabricator.....when I am not doing stonework. He is still and always has been my hero. He's 95 and still here.

[lakewood85]

This was America The Great before the greedy unions got involved and then our greatness was shipped overseas to some slope that can't speak english and hates America.

[ozzirt]

Unions were not to blame, not unless you are willing to work for US$80 per month, as they do in China.

The best we can hope for, is that their lifestyle and wages will rise until we can compete again.

It will, just as it did in places like Japan 20 years ago their industry got so big they priced their labour out of the market.

[70macsdace]

What a dick head itsa unions here in toledo that protect our jobs idiot. You must be one of those greedy ass wanna be Sara Mcpaulin Republicans who love illegal immigrants and Walmart. The toledo blade and Cable are owned by the blocks a family dedicated to getting rid of unions and going with low wage no benifit scab labour. And as for not speaking english thats a republican party deal.

[oceanstater]

Wow, fantastic video!! I especially enjoyed the open hearth furnace parts, and learning a little bit about the workers who were featured. If only the film showed the coke batteries, then it would be perfect! ;p

[BurtBartlow]

Some of the music reminds me of that 80's movie wargames. Good stuff.

[updougdown]

Great Video - and not one hi viz jacket in sight.

[KoldCerealKiller]

Beautiful. It's like peeking through a window of time.

[hanysk]

nice :-)