Don't Confuse Social Programs with Socialism

SOAR Membership by-law update: Join Us!

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Eligibility for membership in SOAR shall be extended on the following bases:

1. Membership in SOAR shall be granted to any and all persons who retires from an

enterprise, public or private, or any other place within the jurisdiction of the Union including

service as an employee of the Union and at that time be a member in good standing of the United

Steelworkers. An individual who retires from a supervisory position with an employer

represented by the United Steelworkers may be a member if that individual had been a member

in good standing in the bargaining unit at any time prior to accepting a supervisory position.

2. The spouse or surviving spouse of said retiree shall be eligible for full membership in

SOAR with the same rights and privileges enjoyed by retirees as defined in Section 1 of this

Article.

3. Any person eligible for membership in the United Steelworkers within the terms of the

Constitution of the International Union.

4. Any like-minded person age 45 and over who agrees with and supports the guiding

principles and programs of our organization shall be eligible for full membership in SOAR with

the same rights and privileges enjoyed by retirees as defined in Section 1 of this Article.

5. SOAR Chapter membership may be maintained through local retirees' chapters

including through membership in an existing retirees' chapter affiliated with the United

Steelworkers provided said chapter's purposes and policies are consistent with those of SOAR.

6. A person shall maintain SOAR Chapter membership by satisfying the conditions for

membership established by the Executive Board of the International Union, including the

payment of dues as set by the Executive Board of SOAR with the approval of the Executive

Board of the United Steelworkers.

7. Any member who for any cause shall cease to be a SOAR Chapter member shall

forfeit all rights and interests in the SOAR Chapter.

8. The International SOAR office or a SOAR Chapter may issue to a member in good

standing a ''transfer certificate" transferring membership from one Chapter to another. All

transfer requests must be submitted in writing to the International SOAR office.

Conspiracy Trial of the Chicago 8

Hold on to Your Wallet

Grab Your Wallets and Pocketbooks and Hold Tight!  

Mitt Romney is aiming to get back on the national stage, and this time Little Lord Fauntleroy is threatening our Social Security and Medicare to accomplish his goal.

  

Earlier this month, the Republican Senator from Utah, convinced three other members of the Senate to join him as co-sponsors of his TRUST (Time to Rescue United States Trusts) Act. The bill is falsely aimed at reducing the federal deficit.  “Falsely” because even as the guru of trickle-down economics, Ronald Reagan once declared, “Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit.” The Gipper went on to say that the retirement savings trust is a pay-as-you-go program, which is supported by payroll contributions made by workers and their employers.  It has never added a penny to the national debt, but for some reason many right-wing politicians run with the false narrative that the answer to fixing the national debt is found in reducing Social Security.

But truth be damned, Romney charges on telling anyone who will listen to his baseless claim that, “If you ever want to see a balanced budget, if you ever want to get out of debt, you have to deal with these trust funds. The trusts that the Senator refers to are: Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, S.S. Disability Insurance, Medicare Hospital Insurance, and the Highway Trust Fund.

Most Steelworkers are aware of the Social Security trusts.  However, some may be unfamiliar with the Highway Trust. The fund is a federal program that is funded by fuel and other related excise taxes. It is actually two accounts. One account provides dollars to support mass-transit expansion and development; while the other supports improvements of surface transportation and infrastructure repairs.  

So, how would the Romney TRUST Act work?  If the bill is passed, the U.S. Treasury Department would have 30 days to prepare and deliver a report to Congress on the status of the trusts. Congressional leaders would then form a “rescue” committee for each trust fund.  Those committees would be made up of at least two members of each political party. They would meet to develop legislation to repair the funds’ solvency and identify other improvements.

Finally, any qualified legislative proposals arising from the committee process will get expedited consideration before the House and Senate.  Critics are concerned that the expedited process is akin to “FAST TRACK!”  They fear that proposals would get hammered out in closed-door sessions. Once they were approved by the rescue committee, they would be sent for a floor vote of yes or no.  There would be no hearings, no debate, and no amendment. If that process sounds familiar, it’s the same process used to pass every failed trade agreement the country has ever entered into, and we have all seen how well that worked out!

Romney’s TRUST Act is a ploy being perpetrated in the name of bi-partisanship. Its real goal is to cut benefits, raise the retirement age, and ultimately privatize the trusts working-class families have come to rely on.  These trusts have been disguised as fiscal responsibility. Don’t be fooled by gimmicky marketing, now is the time to expand Social Security and Medicare -- not to cut them!

Jay McMurran, District 2 SOAR Board Member

Protect Our Pensions

Alliance for Retired Americans Hosts 2019 Pension Seminar 

by Robert Roach, Jr.

More than two dozen speakers from unions and government agencies, as well as bankruptcy attorneys, young workers and others, shared strategies recently to address the growing pension crisis and the effects of corporate bankruptcy on millions of Americans. During the two-day event, attendees also discussed other pillars of retirement security, including Social Security and Medicare.

Multiemployer pension plans, which are collectively bargained pension plans maintained by a labor union and more than one employer, were a focus of the event. More than one million Americans who depend on multiemployer pension plans for their retirement income are at risk of losing their pension due to corporate bankruptcies that have threatened the solvency of these plans. Without Congressional action, more than 100 multiemployer pension plans in critical and declining status are likely to fail within the next 20 years, jeopardizing the retirement income of the workers and retirees. 

Highlights of the seminar included: Rep. John Larson of Connecticut spoke about steps that should be taken to protect the retirement benefits that workers have earned after a lifetime of hard work, including his legislation to expand Social Security benefits.

Also, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka spoke about the need to protect pension benefits when companies declare bankruptcy, stressing that bankruptcy laws are not designed to protect retirees who worked hard their entire lives - instead, they protect the millionaires and CEOs.

Elizabeth Shuler, Executive Vice President of the Alliance and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, called for passage of two pieces of legislation pending in Congress to provide immediate relief to millions of workers at risk of losing their earned pension and health benefits: the American Miners Act of 2019 and the Butch Lewis Act. We are grateful to all who participated.

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.

Have You Heard? The Robots are Coming!

Season's Greetings

Season’s Greetings from the SOAR Office 

During this holiday season, our thoughts turn gratefully to those that help us build SOAR. Simply and truly we thank you.

On behalf of the entire SOAR organization, we wish you a joyous holiday season, to be followed by a safe, happy and healthy New Year.  May it also bring plenty of opportunities to stay active and involved with SOAR.

In solidarity; and in the spirit of the season,

Julie Stein and Alysse Rico

Sailors Render Honors on December 7

SOAR is Active and Involved

SOAR Active and Involved

Recently, SOAR has been involved in two USW sponsored conferences: During the third week of November, SOAR participated in a workshop and had an information booth at the first-ever Next Gen Conference, in Pittsburgh. During the last week of October, SOAR participated at the Rapid Response Conference, in Washington, D.C.  

At the RR Conference, 46 SOAR activists were involved in a rally and participated in lobbying our elected representatives on issues of importance to active and retired workers, as well as attending District meetings and general sessions of all those in attendance. 

Many seasoned SOAR members were teamed with first-time attendees and helped them navigate through the process of lobbying. Many of the SOAR attendees were there because of the generosity of their District Directors. Without their help and support, our numbers would have been greatly reduced. All of the SOAR members who attended the RR conference should make a point of thanking their local union or district director for providing the support to allow their participation. 

Participation by SOAR at the Next Gen Conference proved to be both energizing and educational. I believe SOAR and Next Gen have much to offer each other and can learn from each other if we choose to talk to instead of talking at each other. Many of our issues are different; but, we have common ground on many, and we should work hard to find the issues on which we can agree and work together on those issues. 

Four years ago, no one was speaking about SOAR and Next Gen and Rapid Response working together to address issues; and now today, we cannot think about conducting activities without the input and involvement of these resources. 

I think that is what I like most about this Union. The policy of the USW of inclusion and working together to help others is something we can and should all be proud of.

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

It's a Wonderful Day

Oh Yes, We're Watching

Active and Retired Workers are Watching

Tuesday, November 5 marked another momentous election for union-endorsed candidates, with the two most notable demonstrations of the labor movement resurgence coming from Kentucky and Virginia.                                                                                            In Virginia, the labor movement and our union, specifically, will remember this election as a significant victory in our work to reverse the many ways Virginians have been hurt by the state’s so-called “Right to Work” law and the persistence of an anti-worker majority in the State House (1997-2019) and State Senate (2015-2019).   

Our union committed significant resources in this campaign with a core group of activists who knocked doors in addition to a targeted “Get-Out-The-Vote” mailing that hit mailboxes just before Election Day.  USW activists accounted for more walk shifts than any other affiliate that participated in the AFL-CIO program, which helped lift six union-backed candidates to victory in legislative districts previously held by anti-labor lawmakers (two in the State Senate and four in the House).   

This new pro-worker majority in the state legislature will be a welcome addition to the labor-friendly Governor, Ralph Northam, who we helped elect in 2017.  

In Kentucky, USW activists led the way in a labor-led victory for Andy Beshear, defeating incumbent Governor Matt Bevin who earned the ire of teachers and first-responders when he supported legislation that would force them to work longer before even being eligible for retirement, and enforce deep cuts in benefits for future retirees.  Additionally, Bevin reversed the state’s tradition of respecting union rights when he signed the so-called “Right to Work” law in 2017.  

On the promise to fight on behalf of retirees and workers in Kentucky, Andy Beshear pledged to work with labor to protect pensions, strengthen public education, and expand access to good jobs and health care.  

With 2020 on everyone’s mind, we should understand one thing very clear:  Active and retired workers are watching.  

Julie Stein, SOAR Director
Source: https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article208518614.html

We Thank You Congressman Visclosky

Rep. Visclosky to Enjoy Well-Deserved Retirement 

The American steel industry is losing one of its staunchest allies in Congress at the conclusion of the current session. 

U.S. Representative Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) announced in early November that he will not seek re-election in 2020 after serving 35 years in Congress representing the popular steel mill district of Northwest Indiana just south of Chicago. 

Visclosky was born in Gary, Indiana and has been in office since 1986, making him the longest-serving member of Indiana’s Congressional delegation. He has fought tirelessly for the betterment of the American steel industry and USW members. 

Visclosky represents Indiana’s Congressional District 1, which is the largest steel-producing district in the country. U.S. Steel’s Gary Works and ArcelorMittal’s plate mill in Burns Harbor are in Visclosky’s district and the congressman has always stood front and center during the trying times in America’s steel industry. 

Over his long Congressional career, Visclosky has represented thousands of USW members and could always be counted on to voice the concerns of our union brothers and sisters. 

Visclosky was a leader of the Congressional Steel Caucus for many years and he fought for tougher trade enforcement rules. He has been a crucial voice in combating China’s “dumping” of cheap, state- subsidized steel into the U.S. He realized that steel production was the foundation of Northwest Indiana and the foundation of our national defense and national security. 

And he fought to provide and keep the well-paying, benefit-friendly steel mill jobs in the part of Indiana known as The Region. America’s steelworkers will be hard-pressed to find another ally in Congress as effective as Visclosky. 

The Alliance for American Manufacturing wants to thank Rep. Visclosky for his stellar career in support of steelworkers and manufacturing. We hate to see you go Pete; but, enjoy your well-deserved retirement. 

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

'SOAR'ing in the Iron Range

‘SOAR’-ing in Retirement

IRON RANGE — The first Wednesday of every month, a group of local silver-haired activists known as the Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees — known simply as SOAR — gets together for donuts, coffee and to dish on politics. “We have roughly 300-plus members, and they come from U.S. Steel, [former] EVTAC, Hibbing Taconite, and around the area,” SOAR President Sam Ricker recently told the Hibbing Daily Tribune. “It’s just about getting people together and to find out about political campaigns.”

The local SOAR chapter is part of a larger organization that was first established in 1985 to help strengthen the Steelworkers union by bringing together retirees to act as advocates, activists and volunteers in the communities where they lived. The members are comprised of former miners, their spouses and, according to Ricker, they’ve also opened up membership to non-Steelworkers who embody the same principals and values their group upholds.

According to usw.org, SOAR leaders encouraged chapter formations in 2011 to foster more direct communication between chapter leaders and their local unions. The idea was to help gain insight on negotiation issues regarding retirees. As the website states, “With the establishment of SOAR, our union solidified its focus on the unique issues impacting USW retirees and their spouses. Further, SOAR has been engaged in countless efforts to assure security for current and future generations of retirees, regardless of whether they belong to a union or not.”

Before Ricker became president of his local SOAR chapter, he was employed for 36 years at the former Eveleth Taconite Co. — aka “EVTAC.” The 1961 Nashwauk graduate was working in Minneapolis for Honeywell before he returned to the area and began working at EVTAC in the late ‘60s as a maintenance mechanic. Two years later, he became a machinist and would stick at that job for the next 34 years.

“It seemed to change over the years, as new management came in,” Ricker said, reflecting how the atmosphere shifted from “more personal” to “more business” during his time there. Ricker then retired in January 2003, mere months before the plant shut down which resulted in 450 employees getting laid off. Eventually, the closed plant would be purchased by Cliffs and would reopen as United Taconite, which celebrated 50 years of iron ore production at the Eveleth site in 2014. “I got involved with SOAR two years after I retired,” Ricker told the HDT. “A friend of mine mentioned they were having these meetings, and I was the president of Local 6860 for approximately 12 years. For the 36 years I worked, at least 30 I was in some kind of office or leadership-type role.” And in less than two years, he would be president of his SOAR chapter. Ricker noted that there are two other groups nearby — in Aurora and in Marble — but the Eveleth chapter meets at 10 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month in the Local 6860 office. Twenty “regulars” attend most meetings, though that number tends to increase the closer it gets to an election. A little, anyway. For the most part, the group engages in casual debates with discussions focusing in on which candidates to get behind the closer they get to ballot casting time.

“We do have our own endorsing system,” Ricker said. “When you meet with the active [Steelworkers], you may have a majority vote and it may happen to be the candidate we support. Ninety-nine percent of the time it’s the same, but there are sometimes that it could be a different selection.” When that happens, he said, SOAR members will default to the active union members’ majority vote so they can remain unified.

As for their activism on the local level, Ricker said that mainly comes down to making phone calls. “There aren’t too many who do that, but I guess I would be one of them,” he chuckled. “Otherwise, it’s just getting the word out and talking to people when attending different functions. Especially when the Steelworkers have a contract conflict — we’ll attend those meetings and hold a banner. We try to provide any assistance we can when they ask for it.”

Each July, the members from all three local SOAR chapters get together for a picnic. They take turns deciding who will host and extend invitations to local politicians. Their last event took place in Pengilly, where state Senator David Tomassoni and other politicians made appearances for the roughly 50 or so people in attendance, Ricker said. The group also walks in parades and shows up for their active Steelworkers when called upon. Mostly, however, Ricker insists their get togethers are of a casual nature — his favorite part being the conversations, which “never get too heated.”

“It’s more of a social club,” Ricker said, describing it as a place to chew about local news, politics and whatever is happening in their lives. “When there's nothing going on politically, we bring up things that have happened in the past, joking around in a nice format.” They also use the hour-long meetings to acknowledge and honor any members who have passed away. “Overall, it’s been pretty peaceful. Everyone pretty much as their own beliefs, and they’re all welcome,” Ricker added.

As for membership fees, Ricker explained that the first year is usually paid by the Local the retiree is from, after that it’s $12 for the member, and $3 for the spouse annually. Anyone interested in joining the Eveleth chapter of SOAR can contact Ricker at 218-744-4668. “They’re entirely welcome to come and voice their opinion and join in the conversation and enjoy some coffee and donuts.”

Carrie Manner, Staff Writer
Hibbing Daily Tribune

The Gun

None But the Brave

Oh, the Beautiful Musical Saw

The Caine Mutiny and Trusting Your Leader

Pete Buttigieg versus Franklin Graham

Pass the Butch Lewis Act Now

U.S. Navy, Vietnam, Have Guns Will Travel

Prepare to Retire

Prepare to Retire

We all learn at an early age that setting goals in life is a sure and important way to accomplish just about anything. When I began my work career one of my goals, was to retire from my job just as soon as my contract allowed. With some frugality and determination, I was able to reach that goal and retire at the age of 55.

Of course, once retired, I began setting other goals which I continue to work towards.

Having a game plan in mind before retiring is pretty important, otherwise a new retiree will be confronted with the question, “What do I do now.?”………… I’ve heard many retirees say that being retired left them with a void in their lives, and a feeling of boredom or being not worth very much…….you don’t want that to happen to you……..if laying on a couch and watching television is your game plan…...great…...and if getting another job somewhere is your game plan, well….thats fine too……..but if you have other aspirations such as pursuing hobbies, or a particular interest, I suggest planning for those things before you retire.

Retirement means freedom. Freedom to help keep our union strong, freedom to travel, freedom to do volunteer work or mentor grandchildren and so many other worthwhile things. There is simply no reason to ever find yourself bored with life. Retirement means that you will now have time to give to others in ways you never imagined. It’s great.

It’s important also, to set a goal upon retirement to be prepared for the day when you might not be able to care for yourself any longer. That does sometimes happen to people. If that day does arrive, we want to be taken care of by people who will provide us with dignity and security. That’s really important because it seems today that children and the elderly are the least thing on the minds of many in todays society………before that day arrives though, I sure do want to suggest that the first thing any Steelworker retiree should do upon retirement is to join his retiree organization…...the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR)…...that’s one thing we SOAR members can do…..keep our new retirees informed about our organization…..for some of them, it could mean the difference of being bored in retirement, or having a way to feel like they are doing an important work….

Our union negotiated pensions and benefits for our retirees to pursue whatever they like in retirement...but for some of our retirees, contributing to the strength of their union is the thing that will give them a sense of worth in life.

Being a member of SOAR allows a Steelworker retiree to help other retirees. Meeting with other SOAR members allows our retirees to help one another with questions about benefits that we all have through our contracts.

So…….let’s all encourage our local unions to form a SOAR Chapter so that their retirees will continue to benefit by their affiliation with their local union and continue to benefit the local union with some of the difficulties they face today or may face in the future.

Charlie Averill

Tell us Your SOAR Story

USW District Rapid Response Map

How to Join SOAR

United States Navy Memorial

2019 SOAR Executive Board

Left to right, by row:

1. Director, Julie Stein; President, Bill Pienta; V.P., Doug MacPherson, V.P. (West), Al Becco
2. Sec/Treas, Denise Edwards; Emeritus Connie Entrekin; Emeritus Harry Hynd; Emeritus Dan McNeil; Emeritus Charlie Averill  
3. Emeritus Bill Gibbons; D 1 Jeff DeLong; D 2 Jay McMurran; D 3 Dennis Carrigan;  D 4 Al Polk
4. D 5 Lawrence McBrearty; D 6 Lena Sutton; D 7 Scott Marshall;  D 8 Daniel Stevens; D 9 Claude Karr;
5. D 10 Dave McLimans; D 11 Bonnie Carey;  D 12 Joel Buchanan; D 13 Andy Rosas

Let's Quit Voting for Cats

The Last Pullman Car

China's at It Again

Well, China Is at It Again

Well, China is at it again. After eliminating the Australian passenger rail and rolling stock industries since its admittance to the World Trade Organization in 2001, China has successfully shut down transportation manufacturing in the domestic market Down Under. 

And guess who it is that China has its sights on next? 

While China-owned and subsidized public transportation companies rolled through the island continent severely underbidding Australia’s domestic manufacturing, it wasn’t long before the Aussies could no longer possibly compete with China’s mercantilist attitude.

A statement before the House and Senate hashes out their differences in a close-ranging Pentagon Policy.  The two chambers will soon meet in a conference committee to work out their differences in the policy bill. The White House supports a Senate provision that would bar all federal transit.

The Senate version of the fiscal 2020 defense authorization bill would bar federal dollars from being used to purchase either passenger railcars or buses from such firms. The House version of the bill would limit the prohibition only to railcars.

“It is critical that such prohibitions cover procurement of all rolling stock transit vehicles to ensure the nation’s economic and national security and to prevent the use of Federal dollars to support foreign state-controlled enterprises,” said a statement from the Office of Management and Budget.

Both provisions aim to counter China’s increasing presence in the U.S. passenger railcar and electric bus market to prevent possible spying and surveillance of America. 

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

Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3)

House Introduces Comprehensive Legislation to Lower Drug Prices

by Robert Roach, Jr.

Recently, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders released legislation to lower prescription drug costs. The bill, called the “Lower Drug Costs Now Act” (H.R. 3), requires the federal government to negotiate lower prices and administer stiff tax penalties on pharmaceutical corporations that refuse to negotiate.

The plan authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate on behalf of the American people. Each year the secretary can negotiate for up to 250 of the most expensive drugs available through Medicare, including insulin. The prices agreed upon would be available for all insurers -- not just Medicare.

The plan caps out of pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $2,000 and limits price increases to the rate of inflation for Medicare Parts B and Part D. Currently, there is no cap.

Americans now pay the highest prices for prescription drugs in the world, and this bill will bring U.S. prices more in line with those in other industrialized countries. The House and Senate need to pass this bill and rein in the predatory practices of pharmaceutical corporations. 

Allowing Medicare to negotiate prices and capping out of pocket costs will finally provide relief to retirees and others who struggle to afford their medicine.

H.R. 3 will be a giant leap forward if passed by Congress. However, powerful pharmaceutical corporations are fighting it tooth and nail. Lawmakers need to know that their constituents want it passed quickly.

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.

Social Security – What’s Open and Honest Behind Closed Doors?

Social Security – What’s Open and Honest Behind Closed Doors?

In a September 2019 town hall meeting in Emmet County, Iowa, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst complained, openly, that groups like SOAR are making her job more difficult than she would like.  

Regarding the future of Social Security, Senator Ernst said, “We do need to sit down behind closed doors, so we’re not being scrutinized by this group or the other, and just have an open and honest conversation...”  “The minute you say we need to address Social Security, the media is hammering you, the opposing party is hammering you — there goes granny over a cliff.” Senator Ernst continued, “We know that there is a point in time when we as Congress will have to address the situation, and I think it’s better done sooner rather than later, to make sure that we shored up that system.”

When you hear the words, “shore(d) up that system,” and “behind closed doors” – do you get the sense that Senator Ernst wants to expand the benefits of Social Security to more Americans? Do you think Senator Ernst wants to figure out a way for future generations of Americans to be able to retire with dignity?

Or, are you getting flashbacks to contract negotiations from your working years when management wanted to have closed-door talks so they could raid our pension or increase workers’ healthcare contributions? Do you get the sense, like me, that Senator Ernst believes Social Security is an entitlement and not something Americans have earned (even though we certainly have)?  

There is a reason Social Security is arguably the most popular legislative achievement in our history.  

For many Americans, particularly widowed women, Social Security is the last thing between living with some dignity and absolute poverty.  Social Security is a financial investment made by American workers held in trust to assure that retirees, the elderly, people with disabilities, or the children and families of deceased workers will not be abandoned by the richest nation on earth.  

If Senator Ernst gets her way, Americans will be having tough conversations with their spouses around empty kitchen tables for years to come. Not because Americans will be living longer lives, but let’s be  open and honest here, they won’t be living the lives they anticipated if Social Security is destroyed.

Julie Stein, SOAR Director

Know the Facts...Don't be Fooled About Social Security Cuts

Don’t Be Fooled...

This being the last opportunity before the November election that I can write to you, I thought it might be valuable to give you something to ponder. Retirees should not be deceived by a recent budget proposal that proponents falsely claim will be to our benefit. After years of fighting against the efforts of politicians who want to undermine Social Security, we’ve learned not to be fooled by coded language such as, “cutting waste” or “getting the Government out of your life.” We know such political speak is merely a ruse with the goal of privatizing or eliminating Social Security and Medicare!

All that glitters isn’t gold, and as more people enter retirement age, the Republican budget proposes to reduce funding for administrating area Social Security offices. When Social Security offices close, retirees will have more trouble accessing Social Security and other vital services. As a result, we will not be served as well and will start to believe their baloney that seniors
could be better served by the private sector. However, that simply is not true because Social Security administrative costs are one percent or less of budget costs. Try to name another company that offers what Social Security does at that minimal overhead.

To implement these budget cuts, five Social Security administrative offices in Pennsylvania would be closed along with 15 more offices in other states. Where will these retirees go when they need information on their Benefits, especially in Pennsylvania? Presumably, Republicans hope that retirees will rely on the internet for benefits information. But due to lack of knowledge and monthly income, it is hard for most seniors to navigate online, or to afford internet service.

SOAR members need to know the facts on this issue! This can only happen if we choose to remain silent or not get involved. We cannot sit back as an organization, and we will not allow our retirement security to be threatened without a fight.

Please keep up on the issues and inform our members; after that, the decision is theirs, but at the least, we can feel good about what we have done. Remember to vote on Election Day and get involved.

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

Union Steward's Basics. Part 4

Union Steward's Basics. Part 3

Union Steward's Basics. Part 2

Union Steward's Basics. Part 1

Life on a Destroyer

Pasty Hits the Spot

About once a year, I get to hankering for some Pasty. My Grandmother used to make Pasty and serve it to a whole bunch of family members. Hers was the size of a big loaf of bread or a big meatloaf.

I can’t remember my Mother ever making Pasty but when vacationing up in Northern Michigan, Elaine and I stop now and then to sample the Pasty at various places.

With the wonderful Indiana garden crops this year we just haven’t been able to find the time necessary to travel to Northern Michigan so Elaine decided to make some for me. I always understood that Pasty originated in Cornwall England where the coal and lead miners would take them into the mines for lunch. The Pasty had thick crust on the edge so they the miners could just pitch the remains away so to keep their fingers away from their mouths.

Elaine just made some a couple days ago and here is a photo of just a few. The rest have found their way to the freezer. For me, they are best made with rutabaga rather than turnips. For those interested in trying some, well you’ll just have to search for your own recipe.

Steel Pride

Steel Communities Make a Comeback

America’s Steel Communities Make a Comeback

For the past 20 years, the American steel industry and its USW steel-sector members have suffered at the hands of surging imports of steel from China. Many American steel mills closed, tens of thousands of workers were laid off, and many communities were devastated by a lack of revenue.

But during the past year, there has been a resurgence in the steel industry with companies rehiring laid-off workers, bringing on new-hires and investing billions of dollars in their mills and factories.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing team recently traveled to four of America’s traditional steel producing areas – Northwest Indiana (Gary area); Fairfield, Alabama; Granite City, Illinois and Coatesville, Pennsylvania – to observe and discuss how conditions are today at these once renowned bastions of steelmaking.

The AAM team spoke with steelworkers, USW officials, company executives, members of the supply chains, community leaders and local business owners affected by the loss of business during the steel industry slowdowns.

It is a comprehensive look at the history and present-day conditions of how these workers and communities fought through the struggles of the 21^st Century.

We encourage you to visit our website and read the full details of the visits as well as listen to the podcasts held in each city. For the complete rundown, please visit AAM online at -

https://www.americanmanufacturing.org

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