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USW The Fighting Spirit

Have You Heard? The Robots are Coming!

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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

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

Why is Manufacturing so Important?

The Women of Steel: Stepping Up

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

Manufacturing is Vital to National Defense

Steelworkers are "United Together for Kids"

There's Power in Unity

We Are Steelworkers

Manufacturing Vital to the United States

What Are You Thankful For?

One Day Longer, One Day Stronger

Senate Screws Retirees