Splice the Main Brace

Splice The Main Brace A sailing ship's main brace is a rope attached to its main spar. Splicing it (making a connection in it by interweaving strands) would have been a particularly onerous task, and the phrase probably arose from the custom of awarding sailors who did it...an extra ration of rum. Our retirees have had to stay at home more often than usual, cancel vacations, stay out of restaurants and away from ball games and distance themselves from parents and grand-children and many other stressful things. Besides serving as chapter officers for the last four years and having to keep our members together by changing meeting times and places, our members have supported us all the way. So to all of you who have been patient with us and have gone the extra mile to stay informed, involved and active and continue in our purposes of bettering the communities in which we live, furthering the policies of our union and participating in political and legislative actions…please give yourselves a pat on the back and take a well deserved break and then go and...Splice the Main Brace!

Vote him Away!

Voting During COVID-19

Voting During COVID-19

Casting your ballot in-person on Election Day might be how you’ve always voted. However, we’ve also never seen a global health pandemic like the coronavirus, which could in all likelihood be a real obstacle to in-person voting come the November election. Luckily, that does not mean you should expect any difficulty in voting.

Did you know that in 36 states you don’t even have to turn out to the polls on Election Day to cast your ballot? Instead, a growing number of states are going to great lengths to protect voters, expand access, and ensure everyone can vote regardless of who you are or what your barriers to in-person voting are.

Making voting easier for everyone isn’t a partisan issue. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have been elected in states that allow for no-excuse/absentee mail balloting.

If anyone wants to make the false claim that “convenience voting” favors a particular political party, then they aren’t being honest. “Convenience voting” favors voters. Period. It can be confusing to think about all the different ways Americans vote. But, finding out how you can vote most easily isn’t difficult at all!

In fact, the USW has developed an easy online tool for our members and families to find out more information about voting in your state. You can link to this tool and search for your state by going to www.uswvoices.org/state-voting-information

If you have any difficulty using the above link for any reason, you can call the Int’l SOAR Office toll-free at 866-208-4420, and we would be happy to assist you.

Julie Stein, SOAR Director

A Special place in Heaven

I believe there is a special place in heaven for the wives/husbands/partners (WHP) of active and retired union members. You know who you are. You are the ones who have supported, and encouraged, your WHP for many years. Through thick and thin. 

You are the ones who sat at the back of union halls through endless meetings and conferences. You are the ones who waited in parking lots, hotel hallways and lobbies to join your loved one. You are the ones who gladly, without complaint, attended rallies, picket lines, and many tasteless dinners (although those meals were a treat for me as I didn't have to prepare them.)

You are the ones who cheered your WHP when a political bill they were supporting passed. Or a contract ratified. Or a grievance won. And, we were proud. And, we cheered when our loved one was recognized for their sacrifice and service. 

You are the ones who gladly went to parent-teacher night, little league games, and high school events because our WHP had a union meeting or important event. 

When he gave a speech, I admired Leo Gerard for thanking his wife and family for their love, support, and sacrifice through the years he was USW president. Nice!

Take care, be safe, stay healthy! And wear your mask!!

Source: From the Elaine Says column of the May/June 2020 edition of The SOAR Chapter Connection newsletter by Elaine Averill

Our Top Two Issues of Concern

Our Top Two Issues of Concern

Many of you recently attended a USW sponsored town hall meeting to discuss issues that are important to active and retired members regarding endorsement of a candidate in the upcoming election. Also, SOAR and active members filled out a survey to identify their main concerns. It should come as no surprise that a significant number of active and retired members agreed on what the two most important issues were to them. On many occasions I have stated SOAR and the active members of our union share many concerns because they impact all of us during and after our employment with the company end. These results support that position.

The USW has published the results of the top concerns of our members who attended the town hall meetings or filled out the survey. The top concern of those who expressed concern was Affordable Health Care/Prescription Drugs. This issue was identified as the top issue by 87 percent, followed by Retirement Security with 86 percent.

The results of this survey not only help the USW in the selection of candidates to support, but it also shows the close connection between active and retired members in our Union. Just because we have left our employer, there is no reason to leave our Union and no reason for our Union to leave us. While the International fully supports SOAR, many locals do not. They view SOAR simply as a retiree club and see no connection between the groups. We need to stay involved if we expect to have any impact on our level of retirement and we need to form more active and involved SOAR chapters in our union. 

Stay safe, healthy and active.

Bill Pienta, SOAR President

Charlie on Soundcloud

Charlie Averill

Rep. Katie Porter...Not here for the B.S.