United Steelworkers Press Releases Feed

  • From the SOAR Director: USW Retirees and Active Members Hopeful for Continued Progress in 2024 Elections
    With the 2024 election fresh in our minds, I thought I’d take this opportunity to take stock of the top legislative and policy victories we’ve secured over the last four years.  While we can’t possibly list every victory, I’m hopeful that this review will embolden and motivate us for the important work that lies ahead.  Federal legislative and policy victories:
    • Union Pensions Rescued:  120,000 active and retired USW members were among the 1.3 million union members whose pensions were rescued by the Biden/Harris American Rescue Plan.
    • Lower Prescription Drug Costs were achieved through the historic Inflation Reduction Act, which empowered Medicare to negotiate costs with drug manufacturers.  As a result, Medicare recipients now enjoy a $35 monthly cap for their insulin and, beginning in 2025, a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket prescription costs, saving an estimated 19 million Medicare beneficiaries $400 per year on average. 
    • Renewed, Pro-worker direction at the National Labor Relations Board has helped spur a massive surge in union elections.  President Biden took swift action to fire the former NLRB general counsel who turned the Board against workers, chipping away at our bargaining ability and generally weakening unions.  Then, on numerous occasions, Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to confirm labor-friendly members to the Board, creating an opportunity to restore and increase Board funding and to reverse Trump-era rules that restricted union activities in American worksites.
    • Historic investments in American manufacturing, thanks to another tie-breaking vote from Vice President Harris, helped pass the Biden/Harris Inflation Reduction Act.  This law is sparking private investment in new manufacturing and has provided existing facilities with the resources to upgrade technology to remain competitive.
    • Hard-fought improvements in workplace health and safety include a new ban on the import and use of asbestos in worksites and a long-awaited rule to limit workers’ exposure to silica dust.  Additionally, the Biden/Harris Department of Labor has moved to create a new federal standard to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and death. 
    State-level legislative and policy victories: 
    • Michigan’s newly-elected, pro-union governor and legislature – the state’s first in nearly 40 years – acted to restore workers’ collective bargaining rights by repealing the state’s so-called right-to-work law and putting an end to the unfair pension tax.
    • Minnesota’s pro-worker, pro-retiree legislature and governor, Tim Walz (now our endorsed Vice Presidential Nominee), passed a state budget (HF3028/SF3035) that was hailed as the “most significant worker protection bill in state history.”
    • In Ohio, voters defeated Issue 1, which would have raised the threshold for voters to amend the constitution to a supermajority of 60 percent and enacted stricter requirements for getting amendments on the ballot.
    I hope this much-abbreviated list of accomplishments fills you with confidence and resolve as we gear up for another year of fighting to strengthen union power, enhance workplace safety and health, and protect every American’s right to a secure retirement. While much attention has been focused on the presidential campaign, we must remember that state and federal lawmakers also make the decisions that impact our access to health care, our ability to afford prescribed medications, the availability of various health care services in our communities, and so much more. Strengthening retirement security has long been a top priority of Steelworkers, as evidenced by our 2020, 2022 and 2024 Your Union, Your Voice (YUYV) survey results.  We must remain vigilant in growing union power as we celebrate these policy victories and keep the momentum going.    -Julie SteinSOAR Director     — Oct 3
  • Local 14300’s Reagan Benge Discovers Newfound Confidence at District 8 Women’s Conference
    Reagan Benge has worked as a material handler at Jackson Warewashing Systems in Gray, Kent., for three years and has been wanting to get more involved with Local 14300. She knew the USW District 8 Women of Steel Conference this past August was a great way to do just that. “Our local’s Women of Steel Chair invited me, and at first, I was a little on edge because I’m pretty shy,” Benge said. “But then I got to learn from other sisters and hear about their experiences, and it really inspired me.” Benge’s favorite part of the conference – the District’s first of its kind – was learning about the history of labor and all the sacrifices workers made to grow and strengthen the movement. She’s now ready to help build her local’s Women of Steel committee, which already is well on their way with organizing luncheon fundraisers for workers in need. “It’s changed the whole factory completely,” said Benge. “It’s building solidarity.” Benge is also grateful to have a union job because of the camaraderie that has given her a newfound confidence. “I feel like I have a backbone now,” she said. “I know my union will have my back.” One thing Benge is looking forward to is getting more women at the 200-member facility involved and even potentially running for local union office. In the meantime, when Benge isn’t at the factory or fundraising with her USW siblings, she loves to work on her Mustang and compete in drag racing competitions. Her advice to other women who want to get involved in their union but feel too nervous to start? “If you get the chance, you should definitely take the risk and step up,” Benge said. “If you don’t, nothing will change.” — Sep 20
  • Rapid Response Info Alert: Steelworkers, We Need You This Thursday in Ohio!
    Stand Up for Aluminum Extrusion Jobs USW members know firsthand that U.S. workers can compete with anyone when the playing field is level. However, in a global economy, we have to fight to ensure that workers are protected from unfair trade practices.  That is why, October 25, 2023, alongside the U.S. Aluminum Extruders Coalition (http://usw.to/4YL), USW filed a trade case (http://usw.to/4Z4) regarding unfair aluminum extrusion imports from several countries that have harmed domestic workers and producers. These imports, sold at unfairly low prices, have led to reduced shifts, workforce downsizing, and idled extrusion presses across the country.    Our union is committed to advocating for fair trade practices and supporting the ongoing investigations to safeguard this vital industry. For more information about the ongoing trade case, please visit the U.S. Aluminum Extruders Coalition (http://usw.to/4YL) website or read this article (http://usw.to/4Z5) co-authored by, USW International President David McCall. The final determinations regarding our petition will be made by the end of fall 2024.   To prepare for the final sprint, USW District 1 is hosting Senator Sherrod Brown, who has been a supporter of this trade case since filing, to discuss the importance of the aluminum extrusion industry in Ohio and our nation’s trade enforcement laws. All USW Members are welcome to attend! Details for Event with Senator Sherrod Brown DATE: Thursday, August 29, 2024 TIME: 10:45am (EST) LOCATION: USW Local 1375 684 North Park Avenue Warren, OH 44483   Although an RSVP is not required, it is helpful for us. Please send an email to District 1 Rapid Response Coordinator, Sue Browne at [email protected], if you plan to join. — Aug 27
  • Rapid Response Feedback Report: Thank You, Indiana Steelworkers!
    With your help, our veterans’ bill has been signed into law. For the last four years, the USW has been championing legislation across the country that requires a standardized workplace posting that includes basic information about benefits to which veterans are entitled and a way to learn more about programs designed to help them. Here's what is included: • Free advocacy and assistance through the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Crisis Line • Federal disability compensation and other VA benefits • Educational opportunities • Assistance with substance abuse and other forms of addiction • Available tax exemptions and credits • Armed Forces Designation on IN driver license or ID card • Employment and re-employment rights • Pro bono legal services • Information for constituency groups like African American and LGBTQ+ Veterans Groups Our veterans often return to civilian life after serving our nation without guidance on how to receive the benefits their service entitles them. This legislation brings us one step closer to making sure their sacrifice is properly honored. We are so happy to share our bill passed the Senate and Assembly unanimously (http://usw.to/511) and has been signed into law in Indiana! (http://usw.to/512) This was done through the hard work of our Veterans of Steel siblings and USW members who support them through our lobbying efforts. We will continue to push for the same legislation in every state across the country. These efforts help to ease the transition back into civilian life and ensure that families and communities are supported after giving selflessly for our country. — Aug 27
  • Health Care Workers Dive into Tailored Programming at 2024 Health, Safety and Environment Conference
    Dozens of health care workers from districts across the union sharpened their skills and shared their stories last week at the 2024 Health, Safety and Environment Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa.Dietary workers, paramedics, pharmaceutical workers, CNAs, LPNs, and others participated in a full day of customized health care programming on Wednesday.  In a first-of-its-kind offering, health care workers discussed how new technologies impact workers and patients alike in a session titled Technology in Health Care: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Sensors, and More. Members shared their experiences with robots that deliver food to patients, electronic welcome screens and kiosks, and automated call-backs for patients. While AI and new technologies will continue to impact USW workplaces, the union provides avenues to address issues and respond proactively at the bargaining table and beyond. “We’ve been down this road before as Steelworkers,” said Tamara Lefcowitz, course facilitator and coordinator for the Health Care Workers Council. “We’ve been dealing with new technologies and automation for 80 years. The biggest weapon that we have is a seat at the table.”Health care members of all stripes also benefited from workshops like Ergonomics in Health Care: Safe Patient Handling and Office Equipment, which reviewed ergonomic hazards unique to patient care and office work. Lisa Baum, an Occupational Health and Safety Representative for the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and a member of USW Local 9544, and Micki Siegel de Hernandez, the Communication Workers of America’s (CWA) National Deputy Director for Occupational Safety and Health facilitated the course. The workshop also featured a hands-on presentation of safe patient handling equipment and a practice computer workstation. Equipment specialists were available to answer specific questions.Wednesday’s programming concluded with Mental Health for Health Care Workers, a panel discussion examining the taxing nature of caregiving and how the union can help. The panel had several important takeaways for Elaine Stewart, a personal support worker from Local 8300 in Toronto.“Mental health impacts all of us in some way,” said Elaine. “As a union steward and member of my local’s health and safety committee, I feel like I will be better able to serve my coworkers if someone calls me needing help or support.” The health care track at this year’s conference was made possible by the USW Health Care Workers Council, the USW Health, Safety, and Environment Department, the Tony Mazzocchi Center, the Education and Membership Development Department, and the union’s Legislative and Policy Department.  — Aug 27