Peoria's Independent Steelworkers Alliance affiliates with United Steelworkers

In a landslide vote, members of the Independent Steelworkers Alliance in Bartonville on August 7 chose to join the United Steelworkers, becoming ISWA-USW Local 9614.

The members are optimistic about the move, said President Brad Wight Sr., who took office in June.

“It was getting to where we didn’t have the resources we thought we needed,” said Wight, who said after rejecting a proposed settlement with Liberty Steel and Wire, the independent steelworkers in April ratified a two-year extension, set to expire on May 3, 2027.

A meet-and-greet between the company and USW officials was scheduled for Sept. 11, said Wight (pictured).

The new Local will be part of USW District 7, which covers Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.