In a decidedly un-brotherly move, the President of the United Steelworkers International has placed Local 9477, the local union hall representing the steelworkers in Sparrows Point and the surrounding businesses, under an “administratorship,” Baltimore Brew reported yesterday. According to the report, Local 9477’s officers have resigned or been suspended and last Thursday, Joe Rosel, Jr., president of Local 9477 was escorted from the premises by police after attempting to enter his office. While the International has yet to confirm these reports, Baltimore Brew obtained a letter from Leo W. Gerard, International President, which requests that the officers give over all documents and reports so that the International can wind down Local 9477’s affairs and cancel its charter.
The adminstratorship reportedly gives the International control of $400,000 in cash from membership dues and two properties assessed at $2.1 million to dispose of without consideration from local union members. The move affects over 2,000 members who were represented by the Local, who apparently have been left in the dark about their futures. Sounds a little more like business than brotherhood.