Seminar conducted August 12, 2013, in the El Paso Public Library.

• Environmental Justice and Community Organizing: Participants discussed the efforts to prevent the El Paso smelter from getting its air permit renewed due to environmental justice and health concerns, with community organizing playing a significant role.
• Engineering and Operational Challenges: The seminar highlighted the engineering and operational challenges faced by the smelter, including dealing with sulfur by-products and the high costs associated with maintaining and upgrading old equipment.
• Debate on Health and Pollution: A heated debate emerged over the extent of contamination and health impacts on workers, with conflicting views between health scientists and former workers regarding the severity of pollution and its health consequences.
• Union Influence and Labor Issues: The influence of strong industrial unions on the plant’s operations was discussed, with emphasis on labor disputes, job compliance issues, and the role of unions in organizing and advocating for workers’ rights.
• Economic and Political Factors: Economic challenges, such as fluctuating copper prices and international market pressures, along with political decisions, influenced the plant’s operations and the eventual demolition of the smelter stacks, despite efforts to preserve them as a community monument

• Introduction and Participant Introductions (0:03:44 – 0:06:05)
  • Former Asarco engineer discusses background
  • Community organizer describes involvement
• Discussion of Asarco Operations and Environmental Issues (0:06:05 – 0:12:00)
  • Debate over pollution and environmental impacts
  • Explanation of smelting process and byproducts
• Comparison of El Paso and Avalos Seminars (0:12:00 – 0:21:00)
  • Description of heated debate at Avalos seminar
  • Showing of video segments from El Paso seminar
• Responses to El Paso Seminar Discussion (0:21:00 – 0:29:00)
  • Former worker’s argument about job opportunities
  • Discussion of workplace hazards and safety procedures
• Labor Organizing and Union Involvement (0:29:00 – 0:35:30)
  • Comparison of labor organizing between plants
  • Discussion of union strength and benefits gained
• Union and Labor Issues (0:35:27 – 0:37:01)
  • Strike discussions
  • Union rulebook and negotiations
  • Job demarcation issues
• Engineering and Plant Operations (0:37:01 – 0:41:30)
  • Discussion of zinc plant operations
  • Technical details of furnaces and materials
  • Comparison between El Paso and Chihuahua plants
• Environmental Concerns and Hazardous Waste (0:41:30 – 0:45:00)
  • Brief mention of hazardous waste disposal
  • Burning of confiscated goods
• The Chimney/Stack Controversy (0:45:00 – 0:54:00)
  • Reasons for demolition
  • Efforts to preserve the stack
  • Community and political aspects of the decision
• Technical Details of Plant Operations (0:54:00 – 1:00:00)
  • Discussion of acid effects on concrete
  • Explanation of black acid and its properties
• Economic and Environmental Considerations (1:00:00 – 1:08:30)
  • Marketability of the site
  • Costs associated with the stack
  • Future plans for the site and materials
• Workers’ experiences after plant shutdown (1:08:30 – 1:19:40)
  • Workers’ experiences after plant shutdown
  • Human element and worker considerations
  • Closing remarks and plans for future communication