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Tuesday, August 06, 2002

By Jim McKay, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

A fence separated several hundred retired steel workers from the presidential motorcade yesterday as it pulled into Downtown Pittsburgh, but that didn't keep the older folks quiet.

	Rachel Serbin of Duquesne protests government policies near the Pittsburgh Hilton and Towers, Downtown, yesterday with about 500 other steel workers, many of them retirees. President Bush was at a fund-raiser in the hotel at the time. (Franka Bruns, Post-Gazette)

Hoping to get President Bush's attention as he arrived at the Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel and Towers, the retirees gathered in Point State Park, where they waved protest signs and chanted slogans at the behest of young organizers from the United Steelworkers and other unions. They did a repeat performance for TV cameras.

They came from Ohio, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Aliquippa seeking government help in maintaining their health-care benefits and in propping up the import-battered industry for which they once worked.

"We're here to tell this guy that we need a health care plan like the one he has," said Bobby DeMeo, 71, a retiree from LTV Steel's defunct Pittsburgh Works.

DeMeo, like many in the crowd, lost company-paid health benefits this spring after a debt-laden LTV stopped production and sold its assets in bankruptcy court.

"Since I lost my health care coverage last April, we've already paid $2,900 for prescriptions, doctor visits and health coverage. That's more than one third of our income," said Carol McMahon, whose husband, James, retired from LTV in Aliquippa.

"We're worried about our pensions and health care," said one elderly lady who would give only her first name, Anna. "Social Security too," added one of her friends. "Prescription drugs," yelled another.

Young organizers with the United Steelworkers union kept the group chanting as they waited for the president to arrive for a Republican fund-raiser.

"What do we need?" went one of the day's most popular chants. "Health care" came the reply. "When do we need it?" was the next refrain. "Now!" was the answer from the crowd.

The United Steelworkers union has hailed President Bush for his decision in March to impose tariffs on the illegally traded foreign steel products. But it now wants congressional action to help pay for the health care and other benefit costs that burden many struggling steelmakers.

In liquidations like LTV's, retirees can lose company-paid health benefits. Pensions are usually insured by the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., but at a reduced rate.

Calvin Anderson, 62, and his brother, George, 63, both LTV retirees, came from Cleveland to protest their loss of company-paid benefits.

Calvin Anderson said he and his wife, Vicky, have been unable to buy replacement coverage since LTV's demise. Vicky has multiple sclerosis and the family must pay $975 a month for her medicine.

"This is very important to me," he said. "We have no insurance -- nothing."