How We Can End Sexual Harassment At Work

Just Smile

I Like Being 98

Ave Maria-Musical Saw

A Day With The U.S. Navy

How Electricity is Made with Coal

Manufacturing Vital to the United States

What Are You Thankful For?

Bernie Sanders On What The U.S. Can Learn From Canadian Healthcare

Top Hits of 1961

Does The President Have A Mental Disorder?

One Day Longer, One Day Stronger

Don't Delay: Get Your Free Flu Shot This Fall

Don't Delay: Get Your Free Flu Shot This Fall

Did you know the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu shot by the end of October? If you have Marketplace health insurance, your flu shot is free from a provider in your plan's network. Here are 3 more reasons you should get the flu shot:

3 Reasons To Get The Flu Shot

It helps keep your family and friends healthy: In addition to keeping you healthy, getting vaccinated yourself helps protect people around you, especially those who are more prone to getting sick, like babies, children, and older people.

It's a small step to better health and well-being: By protecting yourself from the flu, you may have fewer doctor's visits and miss less work or school.

Nobody likes being sick: The flu shot can help protect against unpleasant side effects of the flu, including fever, chills, and fatigue.

Get more information on the CDC web site at cdc.gov.

Source: CDC website

Republicans Relentless With ACA Repeal Attempts

Republicans Relentless with ACA Repeal Attempts

by Robert Roach, Jr.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell planned to hold a vote on the Graham-Cassidy bill in late September. Introduced by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the legislation was the GOP’s latest attempt at repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

This attack on the ACA was more serious than the previous tries. It included an age tax on older Americans that would have allowed insurers to charge older people five times more for the same coverage. It eliminated protections for people with pre-existing conditions and took away the tax credits allowing middle-income Americans to afford coverage. 

It also would have changed Medicaid to a system of block grants to states, eliminating insurance for the most vulnerable.

While this round of attempts at repeal failed, the many affected groups are not out of the woods. 

Officials with the conservative Koch brothers’ organization have said that they plan to make up to $400 million available in the midterm elections for policy and politics, but they are demanding results in return.

The Koch brothers warned Congress in June that time is running out to push their agenda, including health care reform. Tim Phillips, who heads the Koch network’s political arm, Americans for Prosperity, said that his forces have until about next June to accomplish their goals, before the 2018 elections grind their efforts to a halt.
Fortunately, phone calls by activists to Senators and Governors have worked before to stop their perverse attempts, and they can work again. They may have to.

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans. He was previously General Secretary‐Treasurer of the IAMAW.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

Report From The Alliance For American Manufacturing (AAM)

Report from the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM)

President Trump and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross launched a rarely used Section 232 investigation in April to determine if the effects of steel and aluminum imports pose a threat to these American industries and the to the national security of the United States. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to conduct these comprehensive investigations.

Public hearings were held at the Commerce Department in May and June and the administration set a self-imposed deadline of June 30 to release the findings and potential retaliatory actions by the United States against China and other foreign nations who are dumping their excess products into the U.S., weakening industries that protect America’s national security.

Despite Ross’ promise to act quickly on these top-priority matters, it is now October and the Trump administration has failed to address this problem. American steel and aluminum workers continue to lose their jobs and the U.S. is at further risk during a possible military confrontation, if we no longer have the capabilities to ramp up our armaments without depending on foreign-made steel and aluminum.

A group of more than 60 United Steelworkers from around the country descended upon Washington, D.C. during the week of September 18 to visit Senators and their staffs to continually stress the importance of an immediate solution. Just two days after Ross met via phone with steelworkers, he stated the delayed Section 232 will not be released until Congress deals with tax reform. 

And Trump had earlier said Section 232 would not be made public until after tax reform and infrastructure.

Our USW brothers and sisters can’t afford to wait.

During his presidential campaign, Trump came to the Mon Valley of Southwestern Pennsylvania, once the steelmaking capital of the world, and proclaimed “it will be American steel that sends our skyscrapers soaring, soaring into the sky, beautiful sight, more beautiful with American steel. We are going to put American steel and aluminum back into the backbone of the country,”

It is now nine months into his presidency and Trump appears spineless in matters of the steel industry.

Please contact your representatives in Congress and let them know America’s national security and the jobs it provides comes first and foremost. Taxes and infrastructure will take years to resolve, during which time America may become unable to defend itself.

Contact your U.S. Representatives at their district offices or call the Capitol switchboard in Washington, D.C. (202) 224-3121 where your call will be directed to their Capitol office staff.

Jeff Bonior is a staff writer for the Alliance for American Manufacturing

We All Need To Pay Attention

We All Need To Pay Attention

By the time you read this, the Republican efforts to repeal and replace the ACA will have been determined. Hopefully, it will be defeated for a number of reasons, including the estimated loss of health care coverage for at least 32 million people.

However, we need to pay attention to politicians who are supporting this repeal and replace effort.  For example, one GOP Senator stated that there are many reasons to reject this legislation, but he will vote for it because that is what the GOP wants. The repeal bill has been established behind closed doors, a limited minute hearing and no evaluation by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The provisions of the bill and how it will affect millions of people are terrible. And to make matters worse, it appears that certain Republican states will receive additional funding at the expense of certain Democratic states in order to influence votes. 

Concurrently, there is an ongoing attack on workers and their unions. We are observing a roll back of services, while many protections enacted by President Obama are being eliminated. For example, additional overtime protection, workers’ rights when organizing and women’s equal pay, to name a few, are at risk.  Also the Republicans have introduced a national Right to Work (for less) law that is atrocious and intended to destroy unions. 

Have you noticed that certain talking heads have argued that changes in immigration policies are intended to protect workers’ pay and jobs? There is no evidence that these policies would have any such impact. What would have a positive impact on workers’ pay and jobs is a union and workers organizing.  Unfortunately, we don’t hear much about the benefits of unions and collective bargaining.  That’s why it is vital that we pay attention to political news.  Call your legislatures and let them hear your voice! 

 

Bill Gibbons, PACE Representative

Senate Screws Retirees

Medicare Part D Enrollment

Enrollment Periods For Medicare Part D

Each year, you have a chance to make changes to your Medicare prescription drug coverage for the following year. This is what you can do and when you have to do it:

• Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
• Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan.
• Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.

When? October 15–December 7

KellyAnne On SNL

Trump's Puerto Rico Response

Let There Be Peace On Earth

We Are The Union

A Dangerous Last-Ditch Effort

The Senate is attempting to force through another terrible healthcare bill by the end of next week, while sidelining bipartisan efforts to improve coverage. This bill will impact nearly every American, and it could be voted on before the official review by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office is even complete. That assessment gives us an indication of the real impact to citizens, overall healthcare costs, and resulting potential impact to the economy. This is a disastrous approach to lawmaking.

There’s a limited amount of time to stop this reckless and rushed bill.

THE LATEST

Senators Lindsay Graham (SC) and Bill Cassidy (LA), along with Senators Heller (NV) and Johnson (WI), are behind the latest proposal (referred to as “Graham-Cassidy”).

• We expect millions of Americans will lose coverage given the similarity to past bills. Not only is this cruel, it will drive up costs for those with insurance as providers try to recoup costs.

• It guts funding for Medicaid, which is critical to the elderly, people with disabilities, and those struggling to get by. Millions of children depend on Medicaid.

• Protections for those with pre-existing conditions are rolled back.

• There will no longer be guaranteed essential benefits in plans, such as hospitalization, mental health coverage, and more.

• Older Americans could get charged up to five times the rates of younger Americans.

• And, to top it all off, while the bill makes tax cuts, the excise tax that will ultimately impact USW members remains.

CRITICAL DATE: September 30

There is a hard push happening in the Senate to pass this bill by the end of next week before the expiration of a budget rule. Until that time, the Senate can pass it with only 50 votes (and a tiebreaker from the vice president). After that point, it becomes much harder to ram through irresponsible legislation.

WHERE THE VOTE STANDS

Senate Leader Mitch McConnell has said that he won’t call for a vote unless he knows he has the support to pass it. A small group of undecided Senators will once again decide the fate of healthcare in the United States.

NEXT STEPS

We will be calling upon USW members in targeted states to reach out to those undecided Senators. But, no matter where you are, you can use our Senate hotline to weigh in against the “Graham/Cassidy” bill.

Dial 877-607-0785, enter your zip code and you will be directed to the correct Senator. Dial a second time to get your other Senator. As always, every call counts!

American Navy in Vietnam

Operator, Give Me Jesus

Anna Netrebko, my favorite

A September 11th Memory

Social Security Update

Westray, We Will Never Stop

The Bitter End

The Power Of Unity

Meet Our New SOAR Director, Julie Stein

Charlottsville Comment by Del Lowery

"I'm trying to envision 500 black people bringing automatic rifles, helmets, shields, torches, etc into a town square, and across a college campus. Then they threaten people, beat people and kill people. 
What would the police and government response be? I find it hard to believe they would have allowed it to happen. Tanks would have rolled and real bullets would have flown. 
RACISM - big time. Not just from the far right."

-Del Lowery

Healthcare Is A Right

Healthcare Is A Right

I lay awake at night,

knowing damn well we’ll have to fight

Because healthcare is our right.

They want to close the E.R. down

Drive the patients away cross town.

They say you’ll get better care

But you’ll be dead when you get there.

So don’t get old or don’t get sick

or McGuinty will beat you with a stick;

The sick will moan the old will cry

He wishes they would all just die.

Do I have to tell you why?

You loudly hear McGuinty say

The old and sick get in his way.

He’ll tell you that you’ve just got gas

As a kidney stone you pass;

Some say that he’s smoking grass

I say he can kiss my ass.

Rebel Rhymes by Bill Mahoney

Resident Poet, USW Local 1005

USW Local 12775 is all UNION

Under the leadership of Local Union President Vern Beck, the 1,557 members of USW Local 12775 representing workers and retirees at the northern indiana public service company (nipsco) remain 100% union, despite Indiana being a "republican infested right to work for less state".

Congratulation to this local union. Your service to your members and retirees has kept your union totally free of scabs.

July/August 2017 issue of the SOAR Chapter Connection newsletter

To get the July/August 2017 issue of the SOAR Chapter Connection newsletter just click here. 

Are You A Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces?

If you are a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, please click here.

Are You A Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

The United Steelworkers Union family would like to recognize your service to our country, and commend you for your courage and commitment to defending the freedoms of every American. 

We are starting Veterans of Steel to create a larger voice in issues prominent for those who served, as well as a way to develop networking opportunities, support, and protect jobs for those who have fought for our country’s freedom. We want a place in our union where vets can continue the camaraderie and solidarity found in the military. 

To stay updated on upcoming news about Veterans of Steel, please visit www.usw.org/vetsofsteel, text VET to 47486 and follow @steelworkers on social media. We will be in touch to learn from you so that the program meets your needs and expectations. 

Thanks for all you do - for our country and our union. 

In solidarity,

Leo W. Gerard, International President

Thomas M. Conway, International Vice President - Administration, Sgt. USAF 1970-1974

25th Amendment

Congressional Issues by Ken Kovack

Congressional Issues:

Upon returning from their ten-day July 4 holiday, and in some Districts testy meetings with constituents, the House and Senate members are facing about 17 issues for floor action before the annual August vacation. A few of the issues are on timelines and must be acted upon, moving some members to state that the August vacation should be canceled.

The main House issues include HR 867, a bill to terminate the Environmental Protection Agency; HR 175, the Obama Care Repeal Act; and HR 899, a bill to terminate the Department of Education.

The main Senate issues include S 106, the Obama Repeal Act and S 65, the Presidential Conflict of Interest Act.

Joint Resolution 19 was introduced to amend the Constitution by abolishing the electoral college and provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President.

Less than three weeks remain before the August recess; during which the republican goal of passing a healthcare reform bill, tax reform and the annual budget bills are uncertain, according to several republicans plus a bill to raise the budget ceiling.

The administration is looking for a victory on anyone of these issues but, according to media reports, the President has not used his clout sufficiently. Also, the President’s recent trip attending the G-20 meetings in Europe did not go well. By deliberately offending our long-time allies while praising Putin, the President has harmed our alliances. European leaders expressed concerns that a chasm has opened up between the United States and the rest of the world. French President Emanuel Macron said “our world has never been so divided.” Other statements by our allies were referred to as unsettling.

How is it that in such a short time allies are fearful of losing a global alliance and the ongoing goal of unity among the nations? Expressions are being offered about the possibility of another war and the fear of a nuclear threat by a President known for reacting on impulse or a gut reaction. However, for the moment, our concerns should be directed to the legislative issues noted above and continued involvement in every way possible to remove this President from office. A casual review of his appointments, the hiding of his tax records, his reactions to unfavorable opinion, his threat to a free press (fake news, the media is the enemy) and more, much more, indicates that he is not, as many professionals and statesmen/women have publicly expressed, worthy of the office he holds.

Ken Kovack, SOAR Legislative Director

Let's Celebrate Medicare's BD of 52 Years By Protecting It

Let’s Celebrate Medicare’s Birthday of 52 Years By Protecting It

On July 30th the Medicare program celebrated its 52nd birthday as a cornerstone of retirement security in America.

When President Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law in 1965, growing older often meant poverty and illness. Only half of our nation’s seniors had health insurance. While many retirees received health coverage through unions, the millions of seniors paying out of pocket faced premiums as much as three times what younger workers paid. Insurance was seen as a luxury that many seniors simply couldn’t afford.

For millions of uninsured seniors, an illness could mean being thrust into poverty or going without treatment altogether. Around one in three seniors lived out their older years in poverty, and many were forced to lean on friends and family to provide care and financial support during times of illness.

Today, Medicare and Medicaid find themselves under attack. Politicians in Washington like House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and President Donald Trump are pushing to dismantle the Medicare program and roll back the clock. The support and passage of the American Health Care Act (Trumpcare) in the House, an opening attack, would decimate Medicaid and raid three years of solvency from the Medicare trust fund.

This summer, the Alliance for Retired Americans, along with affiliates, is celebrating Medicare’s 52nd birthday with grassroots events all across the country. Please join us in celebrating Medicare’s track record of success, and together we will work to make sure it’s around for 52 more.

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  He was previously General Secretary‐Treasurer of the IAMAW.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

Report From The Alliance For American Manufacturing (AAM)

Report from the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM)

President Trump hosted a Made in America event week at the White House from July 17 through July 21. 

Products, entirely Made in America, were showcased from all 50 states.

But at the Alliance for American Manufacturing every week is Made in America week.

Trump is certainly not the leader of Made in America products. Many of the products he sources for his business ventures, as well as his daughter Ivanka’s line of clothing, are made overseas. The President’s clothing line, hotel furnishings and even steel for his massive buildings are often produced in China, Mexico and Bangladesh.

It’s a case of do as I say, not as I do.

It’s pure hypocrisy that the President of the United States promotes products Made in America, while at the same time he is purchasing manufactured products from countries that contribute immensely to our trade deficit.

No matter what your opinion is of President Trump, it is important to get behind Made in America. If every American committed to buying $64 worth of American-made goods each year 200,000 new jobs would be created.

American-made products are much better for the environment and are critical to our National Security. There is just one aluminum smelter remaining in the United States that can produce the purest quality aluminum for our fighter jets and navy fleet. American-made steel is losing the capacity to rebuild our Navy fleet of battleships and Army tanks.

Made in America matters. It’s also perhaps one of the few issues that Americans tend to agree on, with 95 percent of voters polled in 2014 having a favorable view of American-made products.

We’ve lost so much ground in American manufacturing over the past 30 years, it is not always possible to Buy American. But with a concerted effort, Americans can research and purchase what is Made in America. It will bring back thousands of manufacturing jobs and protect our National Security.

Jeff Bonior is a staff writer for the Alliance for American Manufacturing

We Need Some Common Sense Solutions by Bill Gibbons

We Need Some Common Sense Solutions

It has become very disturbing to listen to the reports on the Republican efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known as Obamacare. The idea that millions of citizens would lose coverage and costs would be increased, while the wealthy would get tax cuts, is further disturbing.

There is no question that the ACA requires some corrections and fixes and it should have included a “Public Option” that would have prevented many of the market problems that have occurred. It appears that much of the problem with insurers leaving the ACA market is due to the uncertainty that has been created. For example, the ACA provided cost sharing reductions (CSRs) and subsidy reimbursement to insurance companies, which in 2016 amounted to 7 billion dollars. Insurance Companies have not received the assurance of a continuation of this arrangement.

The one fix that objectively and factually makes the most sense would be a “Single Payer” or a “Medicare for All” arrangement. We are the only advanced country that does not provide such an arrangement. And we pay two to three times more for healthcare than those other countries and have healthcare outcomes that are not as good, and we have millions without any coverage at all.

This might just be my way of thinking, but it seems our legislative system has become dysfunctional. One only needs to look at the escalating drug costs and the inability of Medicare to negotiate drug prices and the failure of Congress to do anything about it. In my opinion, the unlimited flow of money to politicians and the influence of lobbyists supported by this money, gerrymandering of congressional districts and the lack of a fairness doctrine in the corporate media, have contributed to this problem.

Think about it. If we didn’t already have the interstate highway system, Social Security, Medicare and so many other important legislative accomplishments, would we be able to get them passed through Congress today?

Bill Gibbons, PACE Representative

Steelworkers Are Stronger with SOAR

www.usw.org/soar

Make This Call Right Now

This Is Not A Chess Game. Lives Hang In The Balance On July 25, the Vice President cast a tie-breaking vote to start debate on dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Neither the Senators themselves nor the American public know for certain what the Senate will be voting on in the coming days. What we do know is that every proposal so far would result in tens of millions of Americans losing coverage and tax breaks for companies and the wealthiest (while we still shoulder the excise tax). There is much at stake with this reckless approach, whether it’s being able to keep our college-aged children insured, returning to lifetime caps, dealing with higher premiums as providers attempt to recoup costs from treating the uninsured, or worrying about how a pre-existing condition could affect our coverage and affordability in the future. Please Call 877-607-0785 right now! The final outcome is far from certain. Multiple Senators who voted to begin debate have expressed serious concerns or opposition towards past proposals. Calls are one of the most effective actions we can do and only take a moment. Please weigh in today! • • • Call 877-607-0785. The number will use your zip code to connect you. Make sure to tell your Senators who you are, where you’re from, and that you oppose this health care bill. Call back a second time to connect to your other Senator.

Don't Let Trump Get Rid Of First Amendment

I Have Disgust For Bootlickers

Congress has voted more than fifty times to repeal the Affordable Care Care Act since it became law in 2009. They have had seven years to come up with a plan to replace it with but low and behold, come to find out that they have only been complaining all this time while sitting on their hands. Now, President Trump is putting on the pressure for the Senate to put something on his desk to sign and he apparently doesn’t give a damn what it looks like because he doesn’t understand medical insurance and doesn’t know what it’s like to have medical bills to pay. And these Senators, afraid of losing their cushy, high payed jobs with all the “perks” that go with it seem to be willing to just submit, regardless of how many people will lose their health insurance. They are willing to go against the wishes of their own constituents simply because they are Republicans and their political party had the repeal of “Obamacare” as one of its goals. It was a cruel, stupid goal or promise to begin with and many of them now realize it. Obamacare has helped so many people and has kept so many from declaring bankruptcy. Repealing it will result in bankruptcies to once again become the norm in America. Allowing Democrats to help them make Obamacare better than it is would be the simplest way to fix the problems with the Affordable Care Act. Republican senators don’t seem to care how many people will get hurt, suffer or die in this process. They’ll be ok, as long as they can continue to live high on the hog at our expense. We all know that there’s power in unity but there comes a time when a person needs to stick up for what he believes to be the right thing to do. Taking medical insurance away from 32 million people is not only wrong headed but it’s just plain cruel. I admire a person who is loyal, but I have thorough disgust for a bootlicker.

Vice President Mike Pence Bobblehead

When Vice President, Mike Pence appears on the television news next to President Trump, he constantly shakes his head up and down, regardless of what the president says, which would make a really good bobblehead.

Way To Go USW Local 12775

As of June 2017, the 1,558 members of USW Local 12775 representing the physical union at NIPSCO continues to be 100 percent union. No stinking scabs at this local union.

Death By China

Fight Back against the senate health care bill

Trump To Cut Social Security

Trump’s Promise Not to Cut Social Security has been Broken

by Robert Roach, Jr.

President Trump’s fiscal 2018 budget is a non-starter. He has betrayed America’s seniors. In fact, $2 trillion in deficit reduction turns out to be just a math error.

The budget cuts $72 billion over ten years from disability programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Trump promised repeatedly to protect – not cut – Social Security. Yet his first budget does just that, harming millions of disabled Americans. 

The Trump budget also slashes $1.4 trillion from Medicaid over 10 years. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), total Medicaid spending was $368 billion in 2016. Almost two-thirds of that was for seniors and people with disabilities, who rely on Medicaid for health care and long-term care. This cut is drastic and dangerous by any measurement.

This budget also decimates the Community Development Block Grant, which provides funding through states and communities for Meals on Wheels.

Trump’s proposal would cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by more than 25%, taking away benefits from those who need basic nutrition.

This budget provides massive tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and corporations on the backs of retirees, children, people with disabilities and current and future federal workers, whose earned pension benefits are cut. The Trump budget is a reckless mixture of twisted values and brazen dishonesty.

With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, this is not the policy we need. Alliance for Retired Americans members are mobilized to ensure it never advances.

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  He was previously General Secretary‐Treasurer of the IAMAW.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

Trumpcare Bad For All But The Rich

American Health Care Act

• This American Health Care Act (AHCA) decimates Medicaid, with more than $800 billion in cuts.
  
• Donald Trump’s 2018 fiscal year budget attempts to add another $600 billion in Medicaid cuts to that figure, for a total of $1.4 trillion.
  
• It is difficult to say what the cruelest aspect of this vote is, but raiding Medicare and cutting Medicaid surely are at the top of the list.
  
• Even President Trump acknowledges that the AHCA is “mean.”
  
• President Trump could fix this by going back to his campaign promises not to cut Medicare and Medicaid.
  
• The AHCA drops the coverage guarantee for people with pre-existing conditions, strips coverage from millions and drives up costs for millions more.
  
• The House bill takes away health insurance coverage away from 23 million Americans, and the Senate is using it as their starting point.
  
• The numbers are especially troubling for anyone with a pre-existing condition. Premium increases are going to be massive for this group, which includes millions of older Americans.
  
• Among people ages 55 to 64, 84 percent had at least one pre-existing condition in 2014.
  
• The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score confirms older Americans’ worst fears: the American Health Care Act is a disaster for older Americans who are not yet eligible for Medicare.
  
• The scenario isn’t much better for those who qualify for Medicare, since the AHCA robs the Medicare Trust Fund to pay for tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.
  
• The transfer of wealth from the sick to the wealthy is unconscionable.
  
• We know why the House leadership was in such a hurry to pass this dreadful legislation without a single hearing, and why the Senate negotiations are being done in private: it is both dangerous and unfair.
  
• The CBO confirms some states will drop the coverage guarantee for people with pre-existing conditions. This will make health insurance a privilege for the wealthy, not a right.
  
• This legislation will destabilize the health care markets.
  
• Members of the Alliance for Retired Americans are mobilized and ready to fight tooth and nail against the AHCA in the Senate.

Source: Alliance for Retired Americans

June 14, 2017

Have a Great Retirement, Jim and Carol

Although not considered my “boss”, in the usual sense, I’ve never-the-less always tried to consider SOAR Director, Jim Centner, as my boss.

Since Jim became our SOAR Director and while I’ve been the Secretary Treasurer, I must say that he has been the best boss I’ve ever had.

Now, I’ve had a lot of asshole bosses during my working years in the U.S. Navy and then working for the Northern Indiana Public Service Company, so I think I’m qualified to know an asshole boss when I see one.

Jim has always shown himself to be fair, reliable, understanding, trustworthy, reasonable and generous. He has made my work with SOAR extremely satisfying and it’s been a real joy to work with and for him - and for this, I will be forever grateful. 

The friendship of Jim and his wife, Carol, has been a real plus for my wife, Elaine and I and I hope they’re able to enjoy his announced retirement as much as we have enjoyed ours.

Absent Congresswoman

Those of you who have Congressional Representatives who have town hall meetings to listen to their constituents, be thankful. My congresswoman chooses not to listen to hers.

Thanks from Bill Gibbons

Thank You

While there have been a lot of serious developments that can adversely affect retirees and the working class that I could write about, I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks to two SOAR activists and leaders of SOAR that I have had the privilege and opportunity to work with in pursuing the mission and activities of SOAR.

Charlie Averill, who was the Secretary-Treasurer of SOAR, decided not to run for re-election during our recent SOAR conference. He has since been appointed an Emeritus member by International President Leo W. Gerard. Charlie has devoted many years to SOAR in the performance of his duties as Secretary-Treasurer. Those of us who have had the opportunity to work with him have firsthand knowledge of his dedication and leadership. His work on the “SOAR Chapter-Connection” is just one example. I am pleased that he is still working on it.

Jim Centner, SOAR Director, is retiring June 1. I have found Jim’s dedication, leadership and work for SOAR untiring, supportive and an inspiration in pursuing the mission and purpose of SOAR. Jim was always there when needed. Jim provided the information and resources needed to pursue the mission of SOAR. He coordinated and organized so many of our meetings in an informative and productive manner.

Jim and Charlie are examples and inspirations for all of us to pursue the purpose, mission and necessity of SOAR. I thank them both for all that they have done and wish them, Carol and Elaine the best.       

Bill Gibbons, PACE Representative

Trump's Cabinet: Bootlickers All

bootlicker |ˈbo͞otˌlikər| noun informal an obsequious or overly deferential person; a toady: bootlickers telling him what a big star he's going to be.

Take Action, Stand Up, Fight Back

Billy’s Banter

Stand Up fight Back

Returning from the SOAR Conference energized and ready to go to work, we are hit with a vote in the US Congress that will reduce health benefits to seniors and a budget that makes it very clear where their priorities are. For an Administration to put millions at risk of losing or having their health care benefits reduced; limiting funds to programs like Meals on Wheels; to reduce SSDI benefits; to reduce funding into Medicare (which will cause financial issues in the future and open the door to change or eliminate Medicare) and to reduce funding to Medicaid, should be enough to get every SOAR member energized. The fastest growing groups of Medicaid recipients are seniors who enter nursing homes and have no means to pay other than Medicaid. 

All of this is proposed to provide, in part, money for a tax break for the wealthy. This administration believes it is a fair trade off to reduce our benefits so taxes like the estate tax can be repealed.  Presently, if you die the first almost $11 million dollars are tax free to a married couple who would inherit the estate. Then you would start paying tax on the amount over $11 million. The present administration feels this is not fair and has proposed total repeal of the tax and we should have our benefits reduced so there is money to make up for the loss of revenue. 

If that isn’t enough to get you energized and willing to get active and do something, then I can’t think of anything that will. 

We must take action and get involved. Demonstrate, protest, attend town hall meetings, call or write your representative. All SOAR Chapters should promote some action to let our representatives know we will not sit back and allow our seniors be taken advantage of in order to provide more for the wealthy. Stand Up Fight Back is not only the cry of the active members of the USW, it is the call to action for all SOAR members.

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

From the Director (Retired)

Passing the Torch

By the time you receive this newsletter I will be officially retired and an active dues paying member of this wonderful organization. An organization that I have had the opportunity to help shepherd for over the last 16 years. I leave knowing the elected leadership is committed to growing a politically active retiree organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality of life of retirees and workers in both of our countries. 

I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Julie Stein, who USW International President Leo W. Gerard has appointed to assume my duties upon my retirement. Julie brings a wealth of experience into her new job. She has been an instrumental part of our union Political Department for the last five years. Prior to moving to Pittsburgh, Julie spent a great deal of her time in Wisconsin working election cycles, where she knocked on hundreds of doors and participated in phone banks to educate our members on the issues that affect working families and retirees as well as encouraging support of labor-friendly candidates. In addition, Julie has great communication skills and brings a disciplined approach to the administrative side of the job.

I’m not going to walk away from the work and activism that this organization does so well. I am going to take a little time off, recharge my batteries and then get reengaged in the fight as a SOAR volunteer and activist. But, I can walk away from the day-to-day administrative duties of this job knowing that the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees is in good hands and prepared to face the challenges the future brings head on!  Congratulations Julie, I wish you great success in your new job!

 Jim Centner, SOAR Director

Eternal Father......Navy Hymn

2017 SOAR Conference

Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR)

Eternal Father Strong To Save

The Cold Within

President Tweeter Causes High Anxiety

When household problems are cause for anxiety, such as an old kitchen faucet becoming disabled, a water softener plugging up and then a hole in my well pump screen is discovered, it is disheartening for sure. But high anxiety with the thought of President Tweeter having his fingers near the nuclear codes makes all these type problems seem like pretty small potatoes. I hope that congress will find a way to get this president some mental health care before it’s too late for us all.