My Stelco Years - where I worked for 40 years. Started on the floor, then a foreman, the last 30 years as a Systems Engineer. Quite a varied career, that I believe gave me a very accurate perspective of situations. My manufacturing bias was not, at times, appreciated.
Unfortunately Stelco is long gone. They provided me with a good, well paying, interesting job, and a life long interest in computer systems. Met many interesting and dedicated fellow employees in various occupations right across the plant that I really enjoyed working with.
During the last couple of my Stelco years almost all employees working in IT/Systems were transferred to the Data Processing/Info Systems Department. Hindsight suggests that the rumors - "gather and sell/sub-contract" were true, but did not predict the demise of Stelco Inc. I was fortunate in being one of the few (6 I believe) to be retained as Stelco employees, perhaps a just reward for working on manufacturing/control systems. Retired in June 2001, quite fortunate to have missed the whirlpool to oblivion that Stelco was caught in. I'm sure that many were badly hurt.
Obvious that as you approach retirement projects were scarce for those at end of their working life. Fortunate in the last few years to have done a few real jobs as Stelco had no choice but to use the old guys!
My actual last "work project" was modifying the # 3 Conditioning Systems to accommodate the physical project to replace the steel handling (by Cranes) from chains to magnets. Should have been done years ago, significant cost savings. Primarily a Mech Eng project, who were having quite a pissing contest with Elec + Systems Eng. Obvious lack of co-operation and notification resulted in a rush job and fair bit of (unnecessary) overtime. From my perspective the job was on time and went quite well. Worked with a new fella from Elect Eng (Sorry can't remember name) who was one of the most helpful co-operative employees that I met in 40 years.
The last project (my last, in my last year) was producing a "Function Spec" for the computer system in the # 3 Conditioning department. Never thought that I would be writing a book, well remember (and appreciate) the amount of work involved and the frustration of using Word on a large document! I still have a copy that can viewed 3 Cond Spec.
In 2004 during the Stelco turmoil I penned this little ditty, which may amuse you. Intended to
send it to the Hamilton Spectator but never did. You can add an appropriate name to
the first line!
Fortunately many active and retired employees organized, and along with others fought
to preserve pensions and benefits. The results I believe are better than most would
have expected.
Systems experience - Dec PDP-11's, Vax, HP Mini, PLC's and of course the PC. Languages - Fortran, Macro, Basic, C, RPG, ADMINS and now HTML + CSS & JAVA
In the early years of computer systems, user groups were quite popular(still have my
DECUS pin). Folks were willing to share software and experiences. I had several
programs on the DECUS tapes, unfortunately these are getting harder to find with
Google.
A few are listed here with a download link.
Newer web based software is listed on the Software Tab
Cameras were not allowed in Stelco however a few pictures were taken. Other photos are from retirements etc. Click here for Stelco Pictures Corrections or additions welcome.