Join Your Union Family - The Way to go in 2020

The River Ran Red: The Homestead Steel Strike

See What Rapid Response is Doing

USW The Fighting Spirit

Have You Heard? The Robots are Coming!

The Last Pullman Car

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

What Can Labor Unions do for Veterans

USW Locals Resolve to Pay First-Year Membership Into SOAR

I Hope Some Local Unions Reconsider Their Policy

It’s a shame that we no longer have bulletin boards to post meeting dates and such to communicate with our chapter members. However, we do have the internet and a Facebook page for those who use a computer. Our SOAR in Action magazine also help to get information to our members by letting them know about serious legislation affecting workers and retirees. We also have this newsletter which gets posted to the Steelworker website for easy access.

That’s why it’s so hard for me to understand why many local unions don’t go by the intent of their resolve to provide the whopping first-year membership dues of twelve dollars for a retiree to be a member of a chapter; but, instead make the retiree go through hoops to get this meager retirement gift.

I’ve run across local union presidents that say such things as:

• “Oh yeah, we’ll provide the first-year membership dues by reimbursing the retiree when he joins the chapter.”
• “We’ll provide the first-year membership dues if the retiree attends the chapter meetings.”
• “We’ll provide the first-year membership dues if the retiree comes in to our office and asks us.”
• “We’ll provide the first-year membership dues if the retiree signs for his dues check off with the company.”

What they don’t seem to understand is that retirees get older each year. They become less mobile, they can’t always walk distances required for marches, and may not be able to stand for long lengths of time.  Gosh, many are in nursing homes or being cared for by a loved one or others. But, by golly, sometimes they are still able to write a letter, make a phone call, sign a postcard and vote in elections.

I’m so grateful that the two local unions sponsoring my own chapter (USW Locals 12775 and 13796) provide the first-year membership dues for their retirees and have done so for the past twenty years without any “ifs, ands, butts, or catches.” There is no need to join the chapter and then get reimbursed; no requirement to attend the chapter meeting (heck, we have members residing in twenty different states); no need to go to the local union office and ask them to provide the first-year membership; no need to sign a dues check off card. 

These retirees devoted their working lives to our union by paying dues for each hour they worked and faithfully supported their local union. I trust they will continue to help the union in any way possible. This is simply a reminder to local unions who read this that a retirement party is nice, a wrist watch is thoughtful, but a membership in a SOAR chapter is truly the gift that will keep on giving back to the union. SOAR is not only how retirees stay connected, but how they continue the fight for retired and working families, by helping to defend vital programs like Social Security and Medicare. 

Charlie

Make That Phone Call

Make That Phone Call!

By Jeff Bonior

Just when we thought an agreement between Congress and the White House to finally address America’s neglected infrastructure was about to happen, President Trump once again quashed the first steps of a deal.

On April 30, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer met with the President and had a productive conversation about a $2 trillion bipartisan plan. The sticking point, as usual, was how to fund such an ambitious project.

They agreed to meet three weeks later, on May 22, to discuss ways to fund the repair and rebuild of America’s crumbling infrastructure.

That meeting lasted less than four minutes as the President walked into the room and berated the Democratic leaders saying he would not negotiate with them until all the investigations into his personal dealings ended.

He is clearly playing politics, hitting back at Democrats for their ongoing investigations of him and his administration. 

Repairing and rebuilding our infrastructure is the one issue that an overwhelming majority of Americans agree upon. If our leaders cannot agree on this bipartisan issue, it is likely a divided Congress will not agree on passing any other meaningful, major legislation.

Meanwhile, Americans will continue to endure the burdens of inadequate roads, bridges, water systems, transportation systems, the electric grid and many more conveniences they rely upon daily.

An aggressive agreement on infrastructure would be a boon to the steel industry and create many thousands of well-paying jobs. A larger and stronger USW membership would be welcomed by SOAR members to help preserve pensions and healthcare.

It is now doubtful that a sincere infrastructure plan will materialize before the 2020 presidential election although the President promised to tackle this problem during his first year in office.

This is an issue that isn’t going away. Our failing infrastructure is making America less competitive and it is also becoming a public safety risk.

We urge you to reach out to your members of Congress and the White House to demand that plans for our infrastructure resume immediately. You can contact your members of Congress at their district offices or by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 where you will be connected to their Washington, D.C. office. To reach the White House and leave your comments call (202) 456-1111.

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

Memorial Day Massacre

Take Action to Protect Our Pensions

Take Action to Protect Our Pensions 

Because of a perfect storm of the Great Recession, changing industries, failed trade policies that have caused significant manufacturing job loss, and other factors outside of our control, the security of some multiemployer pension plans are at risk of going insolvent unless Congress takes action.

We know that a pension provides security to retirees after decades of hard work. A pension oftentimes makes it possible for us to care for an ill or aging spouse, or a disabled child or grandchild.

Congress has an opportunity to take swift action to protect more than one million Americans who are at risk of losing their pensions. Our union supports H.R. 397, the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act. This legislation would extend long-term loans to financially troubled pension plans, granting security to pensioners.

We need to push our lawmakers to take action. Please write your Representative, and urge them to support H.R. 397. You can submit your letter using a tool we have made available on our union’s Rapid Response website, which can be found at www.uswrr.org or go to http://usw.to/Pensions

Julie Stein, SOAR Director

Women's History Month Today

Women’s History Month

Much is being written about the historical role that women have played in our country. Women who were, and are famous. Many of the ladies in the labor movement who are being written about, are well known to union members and union retirees. But it’s the women in our era that I’m most interested in writing about.

There are many women who, although are much appreciated by us all, are, at the same time, going about their everyday duties almost as unsung heroes. Not only do we have female leaders holding every position in the Steelworkers Union, SOAR Chapters, and on the SOAR Executive Board, including the Director of SOAR, but also, those who stand in support of the men in SOAR. 

I am in awe when I think of how much my own wife has endured during my activities in my local union and with various jobs I’ve had over the past twenty years with SOAR. Elaine went with me picketing and to various demonstrations and rallies during a long eight month strike. She has put up with my going to thousands of union meetings, conferences, and schools. Even today, she helps me in putting together our SOAR newsletter and stands by me in negotiating my travel to various union and SOAR events. That’s right…..my good wife.

What in the world would I do without…..Elaine?

It’s the ladies of today who are making history. They are the ones who deserve recognition for their support which sometimes is taken for granted. 

A Steelworker Old Timer

Dan McNeil, SOAR Emeritus Member

     Dan McNeil began his work career at the STELCO Swansea Works in 1951.  During his years at STELCO, he was often on leave to the Ontario Federation of Labour and the New Democratic Party.  A year later, he became involved with the Steelworkers Union by becoming a Trustee for the local and served in every office of the local with the exception of Financial Secretary and served on the negotiating committee many times.

      Dan was also a member of the Steelworkers Toronto Area Council (STAC) and was the 1st and served as Secretary on the Political Action Committee (PAC) and is a long time member of the Toronto Labour Council.

     Dan retired in 1984, and In 1985 he was asked by Lynn Williams to join the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees to represent District 6 on the International Executive Board where he still serves.

     In the late 80’s, District 6 asked Dan to join what is now called the Ontario Federation of union retirees (OFUR) where he is still a member of the Council.

     In the early 90’s, Dan was asked to represent the Steelworkers in the formation of the CLC retirement organization that would unite all the unions across Canada.  The founding convention was held in 1993 and the organization became “The Congress of Union Retirees” (CURC) and Dan was elected as 2nd Vice President.  In 2007 he became President.  He has recently retired from the Presidency and now holds the position of Immediate Past President.

Dan is now an Emeritus Member of SOAR.

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

USW The Fighting Spirit

USW Rapid Response

Why is Manufacturing so Important?

The Women of Steel: Stepping Up