Who was Bob (Big Red) Rankin

Bob (Big Red) Rankin District 12 SOAR

Bob Rankin was born in 1937 and was the oldest son having five brothers and one sister. He graduated from a small rural high school on the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas. After High school, he ran the family dairy farm for two years and then joined the Navy. After boot camp he served on the USS Bennington, CVS 20, an anti-submarine warfare aircraft carrier home ported in San Diego. His ship took two cruises to the Western Pacific where they were home ported in Subic Bay in the Philippines and Yokosuka, Japan. His ship was one of the first to serve off the coast of Vietnam. Bob was a Third Class Electrician.

In 1961, and two months before he was discharged, Bob met his future wife, Anna Mary. They were married four months later. Bob got a job pumping gas before hiring in at Allied Chemical. The company then changed its name to Honeywell. Bob joined District 50 of the United Mine Workers Union where he served in many jobs including local union president. 

While working for Honeywell, Bob went to the California State University, Long Beach and got his Bachelors degree in Education. In 1991, he went to a workshop about becoming a delegate to the Democratic Convention and ran to be a delegate for Bill Clinton. He was elected to the DNC in 2000 and has been a delegate to the Democratic Convention several times. Bob was a Super Delegate in 2004 and also a Super Delegate in 2008.

Bob retired in 2003. At Honeywell, he started in the labor gang, then became a Serviceman and finally went to the Maintenance Dept. as a mechanic in the electric gang becoming an Electrician. A month before Bob retired, he was asked if he would consider becoming active in our SOAR organization and he became a SOAR Coordinator. Some time later, Bob was appointed to the SOAR Executive Board and he resigned in 2012.

I’ve lost track of Big Red Rankin but remember him as a very big man and a really nice guy. I wonder about him.

Let There Be Peace

Election Results Already Paying Dividends for Working Families

Election Results Already Paying Dividends for Working Families

From taking swift action to expand healthcare access to more Americans, to leading the charge to protect Social Security, lawmakers who were backed by our union during the 2018 election campaign have quickly taken up the fight for working families in states all across America. 

“Healthcare is for everyone, not just the well to do,” said Janet Mills, the USW’s endorsed candidate and now-Governor of Maine during her inaugural address. Mills signed ‘Executive Order 1’ during her first day in office in an effort to remedy the state’s opioid crisis by expanding health insurance to more than 70,000 Mainers who were previously unable to access care.  

In addition to expanding healthcare, Mills was the obvious best choice for working families based on her commitment to grow the middle class by defending workplace rights and supporting laws that encourage job creation and investments in infrastructure.    

In Michigan, where an anti-union “Right to Work” law was forced through the state legislature and signed by the former Governor Rick Snyder in 2013, our union worked hard to help elect Gretchen Whitmer, who was a staunch ally of workers during her years in the Michigan State Senate.  Reversing the anti-union “Right to Work” law will be difficult because Governor Whitmer’s pro-worker allies are in the minority in the state legislature. However, Whitmer has already taken a number of steps to improve life for working families, including signing a series of Executive Directives aimed at ensuring fair pay, strengthening workplace protections for state employees, and rein in employers who attempt to deny workers quality healthcare and other benefits through job misclassification and unfair contracting practices.    

While progress in the federal government has been stymied by the longest partial shutdown in history, some of our union’s most trusted allies in the United States Senate, namely Sherrod Brown (OH), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Bernie Sanders (VT) and Elizabeth Warren (MA), have formed the Expand Social Security Caucus.  Joining them in this effort are more than 150 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including Conor Lamb (PA-17), whom our union strongly supported in a March 2018 special election to fill a vacant seat. Lamb also had the USW’s backing in November when redistricting forced him to run against another incumbent member of Congress who had voted consistently to weaken work protections and retirement security.   

With less than one month into the 116^th Congress and the legislative sessions in state governments across the country, the hard work of USW members in the 2018 election campaigns is already paying dividends for retirees and working families. 

Sources

https://www.pressherald.com/2019/01/03/mills-signs-executive-order-to-implement-medicaid-expansion/

https://www.pressherald.com/2019/01/02/janet-mills-to-become-governor-tonight/

Julie Stein, SOAR Director

SOAR More Important Than Ever

SOAR More Important Than Ever

Recently USW members in Massachusetts ended a six-month lockout at National Grid with pensions being one of the major issues. The company did not want to continue providing a defined-benefit pension plan for new hires. This scenario is becoming a more common issue affecting current and future retirees, as more often than not, despite skyrocketing profits, companies no longer want to provide benefits to their retirees – even after all their years of hard work and dedicated service.

I did some research on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website to gather some information to better understand where this country stands on pensions. I was surprised to find out that according to the BLS in 2017 only 15 percent of private-sector workers participated in a defined-benefit pension plan and only 50 percent participated in ANY workplace retirement plan. Those numbers go up to 23 percent and 54 percent when you include state and local government workers. These numbers also show a continuing pattern of employers freezing or terminating defined-benefit pension plans for workers.

I raise this issue to bring the importance of preserving and improving what is for many, the primary source of income in retirement, Social Security. We in SOAR have been fighting for improvement in the way Social Security is funded by removing the cap on earnings and making sure any attempt to reduce benefits is met with strong resistance. 

Many of us in SOAR have less to worry about than the present generation of workers; unfortunately, the possibility of a comfortable retirement is no sure thing for them. That is why it is more important than ever before that the present workforce, if they haven’t already done so, consider the formation of a SOAR chapter in their area. The continued attack on retirement security must be confronted by those presently in SOAR and those who look forward to retirement in their future. 

SOAR Coordinators and Executive Board members must make themselves available to local unions in their area and let them know how important and valuable a SOAR chapter can be to them. 

This year let’s all make an effort to grow and improve SOAR in your respective areas and Districts.

Source: https://www.bls.gov

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

Government Partial Shutdown

Government Partial Shutdown

The partial shutdown of the federal government is a major attack on Unions and on the working class. The shutdown is affecting 25 percent of the federal government. More than 400,000 federal workers are effectively locked out, furloughed without pay. Another 400,000 are engaged in compulsory labor without pay.  

The population as a whole will be affected by delays in income tax refunds and other federal stipends. Over and above that, the disruption of air travel as payless paydays drive air traffic controllers and security from their jobs, and by the loss of many other services. 

A partial government shutdown has led to financial stress for federal workers. National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) President Tony Reardon was quoted as saying, “I’ve been dismayed and frankly angered by suggestions that they shouldn’t have financial concern.” 

American Federal Government Employees (AFGE) President J. David Cox Sr. said in a statement, “Our members put their lives on the line to keep our country safe, requiring them to work without pay is nothing short of inhumane.” 

And finally, in a letter sent to Washington D.C. leaders about the shutdown of the United States government, USW President Leo W. Gerard made the following statement, “On behalf of the 850,000 members of the United Steelworkers (USW) and in solidarity with the more than 800,000 workers impacted by this unnecessary shutdown in nine of fifteen federal departments, I urge you to reach an agreement that will allow critical agencies to conduct the necessary tasks to move our economy forward.” 

John Patrick, District 13 SOAR Executive Board Member

I Got 99 Problems

Trump Trackdown

USW The Fighting Spirit

Dump Trump

I have nothing more to say than:

Change The World, Never Give Up

In Remembrance of Jack Casparriello

Jack Casparriello, SOAR Emeritus Executive Board Member was presented with the first Lynn Williams Award in May, 2013. He passed away in December 2014, after a lengthy illness. He was 82.

Jack retired in 1987, after 25 years of service from the United Steelworkers. He served our union members as a Staff Representative and Sub-District Director.

Brother Casparriello started his union career after he was discharged from the Army. He served four years active duty in Korea and two years in the reserves. He worked for Continental Can in Baltimore, Maryland and was a member of Local 4340. While there, he held numerous positions for his local; including grievance committee chair and president.

Jack became involved with SOAR shortly after he retired. He served as treasurer of Chapter 8-1 and represented District 8 on the SOAR Executive Board from 1988 until USW International President Leo W. Gerard appointed him Emeritus member in 2013. SOAR Director Jim Centner stated that, “Jack was a true trade unionist. He felt very strongly that workers and retirees needed a voice in both the workplace and in the political arena. Jack also had a real knack for raising money and was one of the best at collecting PAC (Political Action Committee) dollars. At every board meeting you could always locate Jack. He would be the one selling PAC raffle tickets.”

What Is PPA? Primary Progressive Aphasia

GLUE: Gorgeous Ladies Unionizing Everywhere

Gary Service Department retired

Members of SOAR who used to work for nipsco in the Gary service department and many of which are also members of SOAR Chapter 30-18 meet every other Thursday for breakfast but also an annual Christmas lunch.

I'm going to try to get their names straight and maybe even spelled correctly. Let's begin with the front row. Left to Right are: Jane Eaton, Jim Myers, Tonie Sheffer, Blanca Aranda, John DeVaney, Elaine DeVaney, Kathy Cochran and Janice Kleinstick.

In the Back row Left to Right are: Tammy Wood, Bill Eaton, Elaine Myers, Joe Romaniak, George Sheffer, Steve Romaniak, Helen Campbell, Leroy Campbell, Violet Sistovaris, John Bires, Ray Eck, Delphine Eck, Cindy Mundell, Bob Mundell, Nick Meyer, Sam Kolczak, Greg Kleinstick, Vi Kolczak and Cindy Admave.

Meet The fleet 1940

Penmanship

Columbia Gas and NiSource get grilled

USW Rapid Response

A Brighter Future for Retirees in 2019

Retirees Can Look Forward to a Brighter 2019

by Robert Roach, Jr.

In a sure sign that things may be looking up for retirees, new leadership is about to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In rejecting Senator Mitch McConnell’s mid-October pledge to cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security to pay for the deficit created by last year’s tax cuts for the wealthy, voters sent a clear signal that voters are against cuts to these critical programs.

Democrats also captured governorships in seven formerly Republican-held states and more than 300 Republican-held legislative seats across the country. This will be important when congressional districts are redrawn following the 2020 census. In addition, Idaho, Utah and Nebraska voted to expand Medicaid, increasing access to affordable health care for over 320,000 Americans.

This past year we survived attempts to decimate the Affordable Care Act and take away protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions. We also withstood the stated intention of several elected leaders and their top lieutenants to go after our hard-earned Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Now we must go on the offensive. We must press Congress to bring drug prices down and make health care more accessible and affordable. As our leaders strive to expand Social Security, we must strengthen and protect our existing benefits so that the burden of saving for retirement isn’t so cumbersome.

If we continue to speak truth to power we can carve a better path for current and future retirees.

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.

And the Winners Are....

And the Winners Are...

Women were the big winners in the November 2018 mid-term election with a record number of at least 113 females expected to be seated in the 116^th Congress beginning in January. There also may be another less talked about winner because of November’s popular vote – America’s infrastructure. 

The success of women congressional candidates has created a Democrat majority in the U.S. House of Representatives where 103 women are expected to be sworn in (when all results are certified). Women have never held more than 84 of the 435 seats in the House and will now comprise nearly one-quarter of the members of the lower chamber. 

When elected in 2016, President Trump promised an aggressive infrastructure policy, but implementation has been unsuccessful during the first two years of his administration. With Republicans maintaining their hold of the Senate, the president will now be forced to work diligently with both parties to advance his infrastructure agenda. 

On the heels of the women’s election wave, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will once again become Speaker of the House and has expressed a willingness to work with the administration on finally funding America’s infrastructure. When the president took office in 2017 he proposed an infrastructure plan of nearly $1.5 trillion but it was to be funded with a paltry $200 billion federal stipend with the remaining investment coming from privately-held companies.

Both Democrats and Republicans have been longing to repair America’s failing roads, bridges, transportation systems, electrical grids, water systems, airports and more for years. The President and members of our next Congress are showing signs of working together to return America’s infrastructure to one that is the envy of the Western world.

Pelosi has already had conversations with the president and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, both of whom expressed a willingness to work with the Democratic House on a major infrastructure package.

“Those infrastructure initiatives will create good-paying jobs and will also generate other economic growth in their regions,” said Pelosi. “Hopefully we can work in a bipartisan way.” Polling overwhelmingly suggests elected representatives of both parties and most Americans support repairing and rebuilding our aging infrastructure.

It’s time for compromise and there are initial signs that our newly-elected Congress can get it done. It’s what is good for all Americans. Both men and women.

Jeff Bonior, Staff Writer for the Alliance for American Manufacturing

Celebrate the Union Wave

Celebrate the Union Wave but Beware of the Grinch

Voter turnout hit a 50-year high in the midterm elections which concluded on November 6.  Looking at the outcomes, it appears many Americans (or at least enough to determine election outcomes) are unconvinced by the policies of the current administration and are still looking for answers.  

There is no denying that many union-dense states with economies that rely on manufacturing jobs took a chance in 2016, and voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump over the candidate endorsed by their union.  However on November 6, 2018, the vast majority of those states went against the president’s endorsements, and instead voted for numerous first-time and labor-backed candidates.

Voters in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois knocked out incumbent governors, and opted for leaders who pledged to put an end to anti-worker “Right to Work” laws that have been passed since 2010.

In states like Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Minnesota, labor-endorsed candidates won when they ran on a platform of strengthening unions, reigning in corporations, refusing corporate campaign contributions, and protecting our right to health care and Social Security.  Labor-friendly candidates also came incredibly close to pulling off historic upsets in Texas (U.S. Senate) and Georgia (Governor).  

According to a report by the AFL-CIO, more than 743 union members ran for office and won election up and down the ballot; including the Governorship in Minnesota, and in Congressional Districts, State Legislatures and local governments from California to New Jersey.  Additionally, union election campaigns accounted for nearly 2.5 million door knocks, 5 million worksite fliers, and more than 12 million mail pieces.  

However, we shouldn’t become complacent with the elections being over.  Many of the candidates who won an election on November 6, defeated incumbents who seized on “lame duck” sessions in 2010 to rush through controversial, anti-union measures before newly-elected legislators took office in January 2011.  

It is important for us to keep in mind how legislators have used “lame duck” sessions as an opportunity to do some very bad things while voters are complacent and focused on their busy holiday routines.  We should certainly enjoy our holiday season, but be prepared and watchful just in case the Grinch decides to come early.

Julie Stein, SOAR Director

Keeping Our Guard Up

Keeping Our Guard Up 

While I believe that the stock market should not be the measure of how well we are doing in America, retirees who receive a pension should be concerned on the recent drop in the stock market. Downward movement in the market impacts the stability of the company pension fund and may require additional contributions to the fund which in turn impacts the financial stability of the company. The increase in the unfunded liability of pension funds in both private and public sectors is becoming an issue and one we should pay attention to.

On top of all the other issues, we need to pay attention to the fact that more and more states are claiming a hardship in their ability to maintain stability in their state-run pension funds. If the states ever begin to get relief from their obligation to properly maintain their pension funds, you can be sure that the private-sector employers will soon begin lobbying for relief from their pension obligations as well.

We need to make sure people understand that pensions are the workers way of saving for retirement. We have negotiated with employers that a piece of our wages is taken at a later time, when we retire, instead of being given to us now. This was a benefit to the employer who receives tax advantages by putting the money into a pension fund and to us by receiving a portion of our pay later in life. It is not simply their money they provide for a benefit, it is ours.

To all in the family of SOAR, I hope you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season and get ready of what may be a very active year for SOAR.

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

Mother Nature

The Real Root of our Problem

U.S.A. For Africa - We Are The World

Why is Manufacturing so Important?

Let Me Warn You

Victory At Sea

U.S. Navy In Vietnam

Voter Suppression Puts Racism Before Democracy

Canada's Missing and Murdered Women

Think!

When I grow up.

When I grow up, I want to be a little boy.
-Joseph Heller

How to Make a Picket Sign

What's The Matter

Retirees to Receive a Much Needed COLA

Social Security beneficiaries will receive a much-needed, 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2019 – providing a $39 bump to the average monthly retirement benefit. The 2019 COLA is higher than 2018’s (2.0%), which was partially offset by an increase in Medicare Part B premiums for many beneficiaries. With Medicare Part B premiums anticipated to rise minimally for most beneficiaries next year, most Social Security recipients will be able to keep the lion’s share of the cost-of-living increase.

“This COLA is good news for seniors living on fixed incomes. Every extra dollar helps. But the current COLA formula (the CPI-W) is inadequate because it does not account for seniors’ rising expenses – especially housing and health care. COLAs could be improved by adopting the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which is based on retirees’ actual spending habits rather than those of the general population,” – Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

There is legislation in Congress, including Rep. John Larson’s Social Security 2100 Act and Rep. John Garamendi’s CPI-E Act of 2017, which would require the use of the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly to determine COLAs for a broad array of federal retirement programs, including Social Security. November’s elections may breathe new life into these bills after languishing under the current Congressional leadership.

Source: NCPSSM

The Women of Steel: Stepping Up

SS Future Depends on November Elections

On Social Security’s 83rd Anniversary

Program’s Future Depends on November Elections

After eight decades of paying benefits to multiple generations of retired workers – and keeping them out of poverty – one would think Social Security’s legacy would be apparent and its promise secure. Yet, here we are in 2018, with Social Security under threat from conservatives who clearly don’t believe in that promise. Using the misleading label “entitlement reform,” they want to cut benefits, raise the retirement age, and privatize the program. They attempt to break the compact by dividing the generations with the specious argument that any “reforms” wouldn’t affect current retirees, only future ones – who, in reality, won’t need Social Security any less. Don’t worry, we’re only cutting your children and grandchildren’s benefits – not yours!

Source: NCPSSM Blog

It's Important to Vote

It is Important to Vote

I know you heard this before that this is the most important election and you need to vote. I have to say that since I have been voting, for several decades and reviewing the impact and results of the last election, this really is the most important election for the middle – working class. Let me explain why I say that.

Take an objective review of what is happening with our government. Our various regulatory agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), are being run by the appointment of individuals who do not even agree with the purpose and function of the agencies they have been appointed to. For example, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is reducing various protections regarding pollution and the environment, etc. Regulations that were intended to protect workers’ rights by the NLRB are being taken away, an Education Secretary that does not support all of the functions and the purpose of the agency, and now we see the attempt to appoint a Supreme Court Justice that is supported by conservative big money and business interests. 

The recent tax cut legislation that provides most of the benefits to big business and the wealthy is estimated to increase the US Government deficit over a trillion and a half dollars. Some legislators are using this expected deficit as the basis for cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits. The list could go on and on. 

What is happening with our government will, and can adversely affect us, our children and grandchildren. Elections have consequences, make sure you are registered and vote.

Bill Gibbons, PACE Representative

We Are Steelworkers

Expanding Social Security

The “Expand Social Security” Caucus: Sign of Growing Momentum in Congress 

Too many older Americans struggle to make ends meet. We’ve told politicians in Washington for years that an average monthly Social Security benefit of $1,413 is not enough to ensure a dignified retirement. In fact, it puts the average retiree just above the poverty level. 

This fact hasn’t stopped politicians from looking to cut or privatize Social Security time and again. And throughout 2018 we’ve heard near-constant threats, from top GOP officials both inside and outside the administration, to slash so-called “entitlement” spending in order to rein in federal deficits caused by the tax scam Congress passed in 2017. 

Retirees know how important Social Security is to our quality of life, and that it needs to be protected for us and for future generations. We have earned these benefits, and we will not let anyone take them without a fight.

The newly formed Congressional Expand Social Security Caucus is comprised of more than 150 Democrats from the House and Senate who are committed to protecting, strengthening, and expanding Social Security. 

In the Senate, the Expand Caucus is chaired by Senators Bernie Sanders (VT) and Elizabeth Warren (MA). In the House, co-chairs include Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI), Raúl Grijalva (AZ), Conor Lamb (PA), John Larson (CT), and Terri Sewell (AL).

Expanding Social Security will help all retirees, present and future, to have the secure retirement they worked a lifetime to achieve. We must support elected officials, like the members of this caucus, who understand that Social Security must be expanded to keep pace with retirees’ actual expenses. 

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.

Most Americans Agree on Fair Trade

Most Americans Agree on Fair Trade

Americans across the country stand firm in their belief that anybody who is part of the political system in Washington, D.C. can’t agree on anything.

This is unfortunate, because when you put partisan politics aside, many Americans agree on a variety of issues that would help move our country forward.

When asked to share your opinion on major policies of the federal government, it doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent. These three groups agree on exponentially more policies when you take away their political party affiliation ideologies.

One example, from a recent poll conducted for the Alliance for American Manufacturing by the Mellman Group Inc., and Public Opinion Strategies suggests that most of the never-miss-an-election voters are more concerned about addressing China’s unfair trade practices than the potential for a trade war. When asked to get tough on China and other countries that practice unfair trade, a whopping 81 percent of poll respondents agreed with the statement, “We must be willing to get tough with trade restrictions on countries like China who cheat in international trade.”

Republicans led the way with 94 percent in agreement, but 78 percent of Independents and 70 percent of Democrats were in favor of a tougher trade stance, too. These numbers would likely be similar if partisan politics was not a factor.

The startling support of 94 percent of Republicans would decrease but the party faithful is supporting their man in the White House. The number of Democrats in favor would most likely increase but progressives are against anything and everything the president stands for. The Democrats are giving him  the same treatment Republicans bestowed on President Obama.

So, maybe the number of Americans greatly concerned about fair international trade is closer to the 78 percent of Independents. This is still a stunning number of Americans that agree on one federal government policy. 

This is overwhelming evidence that most Americans agree about correcting unfair trade and the current administration seems bound and determined to level the playing field.

AAM President Scott Paul said, “Even in this era of upended politics, pushing back against unfair trade practices is an issue that largely unites American voters.”

Jeff Bonior, Staff Writer for the Alliance for American Manufacturing

S.S. Future Depends on November Election

On Social Security’s 83rd Anniversary

Program’s Future Depends on November Elections

After eight decades of paying benefits to multiple generations of retired workers – and keeping them out of poverty – one would think Social Security’s legacy would be apparent and its promise secure. Yet, here we are in 2018, with Social Security under threat from conservatives who clearly don’t believe in that promise. Using the misleading label “entitlement reform,” they want to cut benefits, raise the retirement age, and privatize the program. They attempt to break the compact by dividing the generations with the specious argument that any “reforms” wouldn’t affect current retirees, only future ones – who, in reality, won’t need Social Security any less. Don’t worry, we’re only cutting your children and grandchildren’s benefits – not yours!

Source: NCPSSM Blog

Tax Cuts for the Rich are Threatening Our Retirement Security

Tax Cuts for the Rich are Threatening Our Retirement Security

The Joint Committee on Taxation, a non-partisan Committee of the United States Congress, originally established under the Revenue Act of 1926, and is Congress’ official estimator of tax legislation, reported that a lopsided 38 percent of the benefits of the tax bill that the president signed in December 2017 (H.R. 1) will go to households making more than $1 million per year (approximately 3 of every 1,000 Americans who file taxes). ¹

Though backers of the law said the tax cuts would pay for themselves, a new analysis by the Congressional Budget Office shows that under the new tax law the nation’s debt could spike by $33 trillion over the next ten years, potentially resulting in another debt crisis. ²

With wages being stagnant for nearly three decades, you might be asking yourself how hard-working Americans are going to find the money to pay for this expensive law which benefits so few.  

The answer – according to some in Congress – cuts to Social Security and Medicare, of course!  As Pennsylvania Republican Senator Pat Toomey explained, “(t)hese big spending programs that are growing faster than the economy,”…“you’ve got to make some curbs.”  That’s easy to say when the people who funded his campaign are the ones seeing the biggest benefit from H.R. 1. ³  

However, not everyone is on board with the idea.  On September 23, 2018, it was announced that 19 U.S. Senators and 140 House members have added their name to a new Expand Social Security Caucus being led by Senators Bernie Sanders (VT), Elizabeth Warren (MA), and Democratic Reps. John Larson and Debbie Dingell of Michigan. ⁴

As union members, we believe every American deserves a secure retirement.  We also understand that Social Security and Medicare are programs that workers have paid into our entire lives.  We won’t forget this when we vote in the pivotal midterm elections which conclude on Tuesday, November 6.  

Sources:

 https://www.cbpp.org/research/federal-tax/joint-committee-on-taxation-distribution-tables-confirm-skewed-priorities-of

² https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/09/us/politics/federal-deficit-tax-cuts-spending-trump.html

³https://community.aarp.org/t5/Politics-Current-Events/GOP-Speaker-Ryan-Cuts-OUR-Social-Security-gets-85-000-pension-at/td-p/2045985

⁴https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/406495-more-than-150-democrats-launch-expand-social-security-caucus  

Julie Stein, SOAR Director