USW members at NIPSCO elect officers

By Keith Benman
keith.benman@nwi.com, (219) 933-3326 | Thursday, May 21, 2009

Two United Steel Workers locals representing about 1,800 NIPSCO employees recently held elections and are preparing to install new officers.

United Steel Workers Local 12775, which represents about 1,400 NIPSCO employees, is preparing to seat officers for new three-year terms following elections that concluded April 22.

Incumbent President Jim Blythe again will take up the local's top post after running unopposed. Blythe first won the post three years ago in a contested election.

Other top officers to be seated on May 27 are Vernon Beck, vice president; Anthony (Jamie) Mante, recording secretary; Jim Green, financial secretary; and Mark Derek; treasurer. Longtime Local 12775 activist and officer David Chlebek, who currently holds the office of vice president, did not run for re-election.

Seventeen others were elected to other posts in the recent election, including three trustees and 11 grievance committeemen.

USW Local 13796, which represents more than 400 NIPSCO employees mainly in clerical and call center jobs, again will seat Karen Bryan as president after she ran unopposed.

Others elected to top posts were Terri Siple, vice president; Karen Black, recording secretary; Brenda Fentress, financial secretary; and Sue Kruk, treasurer.

Current vice president Gisela (Gigi) Baker did not run in the election, deciding to retire after nearly 40 years in the union in a number of different roles.