By Angela Hatton
Metropolis, IL – A federal judge in Benton, Illinois, has denied Honeywell Corporation's request to block a local union member from joining federal safety inspections. United Steel Workers spokesman John Paul Smith says the union is afforded the right of "walk-around," which means a union representative may accompany Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors. Smith says that rule applies even during strike and lockout situations. Earlier this month, Honeywell officials filed a motion to block USW from joining OSHA. The inspections follow a leak in late December. Company officials say temporary workers have more knowledge of what happened on the site, and are more qualified to answer OSHA questions than USW members are. The union is nearing its eighth month without a contract. A date for the next OSHA inspection is unknown.