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USW Intends to Sue Giant Cement Holding Inc.
Union Demands Accurate Chemical Reporting; Penalty Could Be $6 Billion
For Immediate Release October 16, 2006
Summerville, SC – Today the United Steelworkers (USW) notified Giant Cement Holding, Inc. (GCHI) that the union is ready to sue to correct widespread environmental reporting problems at the company’s hazardous waste management facilities. In multiple “Notice of Intent to Sue” letters, the USW alleges that GCHI and three subsidiary facilities have repeatedly failed to report accurate information to state and federal regulators about the identity and quantity of toxic chemicals at GCHI operations in Alabama, Pennsylvania and South Carolina over the last five years.
“We’re trying to protect our union members and prevent an environmental disaster that could threaten any one of the communities where GCHI operates a facility,” said USW District Director Connie Entrekin. “It’s time for Giant to come clean and be truthful about the toxic chemicals that are used at the company’s facilities.”
Mr. Entrekin cited the recent disaster at EQ Industrial Services of Apex, North Carolina to underscore the risks at the GCHI facilities. On October 5, a raging fire forced the evacuation of 17,000 citizens in Apex. Dozens of firefighters, police officers and residents sought emergency care for respiratory difficulties, defective vision, and bloody noses. Days after the fire was out, town officials were upset because they still did not have complete information about the variety and quantity of c | 
2006 RELEASES AND ADVISORIES
