Steelworkers Help Green Light New Energy-Efficient Bulbs

by Mike Hall, Jun 2, 2010

Here’s a way to reduce your carbon footprint and support good green union jobs. Check out the new Sylvania Super Saver halogen light bulbs made by the United Steelworkers (USW) in a Wellsboro, Pa., plant.

As more and more households turn to the energy-efficient bulbs over the familiar incandescent light bulb that sucks up much more energy, many manufacturers are shutting down their U.S. operations and producing the new bulbs overseas.

But Osram Sylvania has decided to manufacture its Sylvania Super Saver halogen bulbs at existing facilities in the United States. Wellsboro currently produces the outer glass portion of light bulbs that are assembled at Osram Sylvania’s plant in St. Marys, Pa.

The new bulbs’ major debut came in early May when home improvement giant Lowe’s began stocking the bulbs. Sales have been strong even with little advertising. Barry Mortimer, a member of USW Local 1001 in Wellsboro, says that while Lowe’s is considering boosting its promotion of the union-made product, the USW has launched its own blitz.

I honestly believe it was totally Steelworker driven. Our plant manager has thanked us many times for our involvement.

The USW has promoted the bulb through its Rapid Response network, the Alliance for American Manufacturing and in mailings and other publications. Says Mortimer:

The success of this lamp, in my opinion, can be contributed to all our union brothers and sisters who have worked very hard to get the word out about this union-made product.

According to the USW, along with being union-made, the new bulbs do not have some of the potential health hazards of its main competition, compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs that are largely made in China with toxic mercury as a key ingredient.

In addition to Lowe’s, the Sylvania Super Saver can be purchased in Menards and many BJ’s Wholesale Club stores in the Midwest. They also can be purchased online at: www.sylvaniaonlinestore.com/.

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