18 Shops

About the Book

These chapters should have provided a rare glimpse of the inner workings of the Bethlehem plant. The events I witnessed were seldom heard or mentioned outside the plant. I do not judge anyone I’ve mentioned. Most of them have gone to that country from which no traveler ever returns. I doubt if one in any five hundred will have the slightest memory of me. I’m okay with that. We are all spirits and survivors of a different era that is long gone and can be proud of what we accomplished. I am grateful and indebted to the USWA union, without whose help I never would have made it to retirement. As always, the company’s response would be, “Man was paid.” I close with the words of Bob Seger, “Sometimes at night I see their faces, the traces they left on my soul. These are the memories that make me a wealthy soul” (“Travelin’ man”). So mote it be!

About the Author

From teen age to middle age I worked in the Bethlehem,Pa.plant of the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. Few employees had such a varied career as I did.The events I witnessed were seldom known or spoken of outside the plant. To the non-steelworker these might sound like fiction. This short novel tells only about my personal experiences and not of anyone else. I assure the reader that those mysterious buildings and structures as seen from outside the gates,were just as rough on the inside. Each one was unique and hid it's secrets from all but a few. I was lucky to have worked and survived in 18 different departments or "shops". A few of these I bid into on my own,but to most I was company placed. Each one had it's own personality and cast of characters.A few of these shops were only 1 or 2 week events. I tried to be as concise as possible by telling only about the most memorable people and happenings,not boring the reader with too much detail. The 31 years I spent as a steelworker shaped my entire adult life,even to the present,20 years after retirement. My Bio: Lenny Heffner worked in the Bethlehem,Pa. plant of the former B.S.C. from 1966 to 1997. He is retired and still lives in Summit Hill,Pa..He is currently employed as a full time Security Officer doing plant security. Please let me know if this is OK Thank you , Leonard Heffner