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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

USW Rapid Response

SOAR, Rapid Response,

We Owe it to Them

I have written before about the impact that court appointees can and will have on all of us and our children and grandchildren. A decision by the Supreme Court that was recently handed down in a case referred to as “Janus” by a 5 to 4 decision, illustrates this. The President’s recent appointee made the difference that upended a decade of precedent regarding public employees paying a “fair share” to their unions.

It is clear that this decision is anti-union and anti-worker and is intended to reduce funding to the union. These employees will receive all the benefits that the Union negotiates and are protected by the terms of the collective bargaining but don’t have to pay their fair share -“freeloaders.”

Isn’t it ironic that the same people who oppose individuals receiving something for nothing, are okay with individuals getting the benefits of unions and collective bargaining without having to pay to support getting those benefits? Further, they rationalize in the decision that it has something to do with “free speech” and the First Amendment. Think about that. Such logic could be argued that I shouldn’t have to pay taxes passed by politicians I disagree with. How absurd. 

But, we know the real reason is to undermine unions and worker rights. We are already dealing with the adversity of right-to-work laws.

This is just a further example of the number of adverse issues that the current political situation is creating and why we must stand up and fight back. And we must protect retirement benefits, Medicare and Social Security.

I am impressed with what Rapid Response, Next Generation and SOAR are doing to stand up and fight back. Please get involved; these organizations give us the structure to be active and organized to confront these anti-union, anti-worker attacks. We owe it to our children and grandchildren.

Bill Gibbons, PACE Representative

2018 Rapid Response Legislative Conference

We're Here To Stay