2009 Pittsburgh Convention Stories: Steel

The once mighty Pittsburgh steel towns in the Mon Valley are way past their glory days. But the traditional strength and determination of the hard working inhabitants shines through while a spark of hope is trying to ignite a bright future.

EBENSBURG, Pa. -- As the G-20 Summit prepares to open in Pittsburgh Sept. 24 to deal with global capitalism's severe economic crisis, labor journalists from the International Labor Communicators Association visited some 15 area work sites to investigate the economic conditions for working people here in western Pennsylvania.

In Pittsburgh, the Steel Workers’ DeWitt Walton isn’t shy about pushing individuals, people in power and even fellow trade unionists outside their comfort zone.

The old U.S. Steel Homestead plant complex, site of the famous 1892 confrontation between workers and Pinkertons, is no more. What will replace it -- and with how many jobs? There may be an answer near Homestead, too. Those same questions are being asked nationwide.

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2009 Pittsburgh Convention Stories: Steel