SOS In The News

Former Steel employee to appear on news show

Thursday, July 15, 2004

By JOSH PONTRELLI
The Express-Times

A Wind Gap man who formerly worked at Bethlehem Steel for 33 years will be profiled tonight on the ''CBS Evening News with Dan Rather.''

Richard Sterner, 61, will be part of a "What Does it Mean to You?" segment which will highlight the presidential candidates' stances and how the issues affect Americans.

On the show, the former maintenance crew chief will speak with CBS News correspondent Jim Axelrod about manufacturers moving jobs overseas and his concern for the future job market.

Currently Sterner drives a truck for Anrich, Inc. of Wayne, Pa. He said he was taped while driving and standing on the street outside the abandoned steel mills on South Side Bethlehem.

"They talked about when I was hired and what it was like to lose my job and benefits," he said. "They asked about the politicians in office now and who I am going to vote for. We talked for over an hour, but it will be cut down to about two minutes.

"They were trying to make me commit to one (candidate) or the other," Sterner said. "I have not made my decision, but I am leaning towards Kerry. The people in office now, they just need to get out of there."

Sterner said he was featured on a similar CBS program in June.

"People e-mailed me from all over the country once they saw it," he said. "It's very interesting talking to these people."

He said the show again focuses on what it was like to lose his job and how the economy will be a major issue in the November elections.

"Losing my job was a big thing, but losing your second family is a bigger thing," he said. "These guys, you work with them for over 30 years. It's a family. It's something to lose."

CBS press officer Andie Silvers said the footage was taped over one day in early July.