-
Your Union, Your Voice 2024 USW members have responded to thousands of surveys, participated in countless town hall meetings across the United States, and shared their views on the union’s core issues through the ongoing “Your Union, Your Voice” program. Throughout those conversations and responses, members were very clear about the concerns that are most important to them – good jobs, workers’ rights, quality, affordable health care, retirement security, safer and healthier workplaces, and fair trade. In preparation for the Nov. 5 election, USW@Work asked members from across the United States to share their thoughts on those and other important issues. To learn more about the issues and find more information about the election, visit uswvoices.org. SAM MENDEZ Local 338Kaiser AluminumSpokane, Wash. LABOR RIGHTS, FAIR TRADE “I want to make sure people understand what’s at stake. The rights of union members are on the ballot. Our wages and our pensions are on the ballot. “Kamala Harris doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk. She pounds the pavement with union workers who are on the picket line. That shows what she stands for – she stands for us. If she is willing to make that effort to support us, then I’m willing to make the same effort to support her.” THE FACTS: Kamala Harris walked a picket line with striking autoworkers in 2019 and canceled an appearance in 2023 to avoid crossing a picket line. She has taken on price-gouging corporations, and she has spoken out and voted against unfair trade that harms workers. Harris has been vocal in her support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. ANDY JERGENS Local 5282Olin Chlor Alkali ProductsHenderson, Nev. AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE “Harris and Biden have done so much for working people. The Inflation Reduction Act is a perfect example of how they have fought for everyday Americans. That legislation capped the cost of insulin for diabetic patients on Medicare, which hits very close to home for me. My wife is diabetic, and insulin is not cheap. That is life-changing for a lot of people.” THE FACTS: In 2022, Kamala Harris cast the deciding vote for the Inflation Reduction Act, providing financial relief for millions of Americans, including those on Medicare, by expanding benefits, lowering costs, and strengthening the program for future generations. Specifically, the law capped the cost of insulin at $35 for a month’s supply. BOB TRIBBLE Local 1014U.S. SteelGary, Ind. INFRASTRUCTURE “The most important thing is educating members on the issues and making sure that they get out to vote. The infrastructure bill alone has made a huge difference in our plant. We make structural steel, and that has kept us busy. It has meant that we are hiring, not pulling back, and it has meant steady employment for Local 1014 members.” THE FACTS: The Biden-Harris Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided $1.2 trillion to upgrade U.S. roads, bridges, railways, water pipes, electrical systems, broadband networks and other crucial needs, supporting good jobs for USW members and other workers through strong Buy American provisions. The law is estimated to support more than 700,000 new jobs per year over 10 years. EARKIEL EATON Local 593Aurubis Copper FoundryBuffalo, N.Y. SAFER WORKPLACES “Kamala Harris has already helped us build the middle class with legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act, which has supported a number of USW employers, like those of us in the copper industry. She will work to strengthen the National Labor Relations Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to make our workplaces safer. All workers deserve to come home safely at the end of the day.” THE FACTS: Through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the Biden-Harris administration has fought for numerous safety and health standards, including rules limiting exposure to silica dust and extreme heat, and expanding workers’ rights during workplace inspections. DAVE SMITH Local 2660Keetac Iron Ore MineHibbing, Minn. CREATING GOOD JOBS “I like to support candidates that support our union’s core values – things like good jobs, workers’ rights, secure retirements, safe workplaces, health care, fair trade. I will oppose people who want to take those things away from us. “Those of us in labor, we want clean water and clean air, too, because we live in these communities. We have to have both – good jobs and a clean environment. It’s a challenge, but we have to meet it, because our future is at stake.” THE FACTS: Kamala Harris cast the deciding vote for the Inflation Reduction Act. The law’s clean energy and climate provisions have created more than 170,000 clean energy jobs already, and companies have announced more than $110 billion in clean energy manufacturing investments in the past year alone, including at many USW workplaces. NICOLE ROTTMAN Local 889Penreco, Calumet Karns City RefiningEast Brady, Pa. UNION ORGANIZING “Kamala Harris comes from the working class. She has been a big part of one of the most pro-labor administrations of our lifetimes. She stands up for workers’ rights, she fights for affordable health care, strong retirements. She is bringing a new energy to the campaign and has breathed new life into the labor movement.” THE FACTS: Kamala Harris led the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, focusing on removing barriers for workers across the United States who want to form unions, and creating more good-paying union jobs. In the first half of 2024 alone, union election petitions increased 35 percent. CLINT BLAKE Local 13434Clean Harbors EnvironmentalEl Dorado, Ark. PRO-WORKER LAWS “Look at the pro-worker legislation that has been passed, and the choice could not be more clear. Kamala Harris helped pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the American Rescue Plan, the CHIPS and Science Act. That’s enough to make it clear to those of us in labor that she’s with us.” THE FACTS: The Biden-Harris CHIPS and Science Act allocated $280 billion to boost semiconductor production, chip manufacturing, research and education. It strengthened supply chains and bolstered U.S. manufacturing. The administration also created a national manufacturing policy and supported legislation to raise wages, make child care affordable, and expand the child tax credit. DEBORAH RICHARDSON Local 7600Kaiser PermanenteFontana, Calif. HEALTH CARE WORKERS “As a health care worker, it’s important to me that Kamala Harris has fought hard to make sure that Americans can get the health care they need at an affordable cost. It can be a real struggle for a lot of people, whether it’s for physical health care or mental health care, and it’s important to have a strong leader who stands up for people.” THE FACTS: As a U.S. Senator, Kamala Harris sponsored legislation to make it easier for Medicare beneficiaries to receive mental health services and to help mental health professionals repay their student loans. She also led efforts to curb racism in health care settings and to improve maternal health. NOLAN TOME Local 10-326Smurfit WestrockYork, Pa. SECURE RETIREMENTS “My dad’s pension would have been insolvent by 2031, if not for the Butch Lewis Act. He plans to retire soon, and he would not have been able to think about that if not for that legislation. Without that pension, he would not have much retirement savings at all.” THE FACTS: Kamala Harris cast the critical tie-breaking vote for the American Rescue Plan of 2021, which included the Butch Lewis Act, saving the pensions of more than a million workers, including 120,000 active and retired USW members. JIMMY BEACH Local 1693Hussey CopperLouisville, Ky. A FAIR ECONOMY “Kamala Harris understands that when we stand together as union members, we can fight for fair wages and safe working conditions. Her support for legislation that strengthens unions gives me hope that our voices will be heard and that we can negotiate for better benefits and protections. “Kamala Harris understands our struggles and is willing to fight for us. I believe that under her leadership we can create a more just and equitable economy where working families are valued and have a real shot at success.” THE FACTS: The Biden-Harris administration established a national minimum staffing requirement for Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes. In the U.S. Senate, Kamala Harris fought for legislation to raise wages, cut costs for families and address workplace violence. As California’s attorney general, she cracked down on corporate greed and defended vulnerable workers against wage theft. — Oct 23
-
Tara Cavanaugh Values Global Partnerships, Attends "Women’s Week" in the U.K. Tara Cavanaugh knows that connecting with workers in other industries and countries is a crucial component to building collective power. This is why she jumped on the opportunity to travel with several other USW Women of Steel to Birmingham in the U.K. to attend Unite the Union’s “Women’s Week” held this past Aug. 11-16. “It was amazing,” said Cavanaugh, who works as a USW staff representative in Calgary, Canada. “Our hosts were phenomenal. Everyone within Unite was good to us.” During the weeklong event, Cavanaugh attended an Organizing in the Workplace workshop series, which allowed her to see how much workers in the United States have in common with workers around the world. She said it is vital for the union to be involved in global partnerships like this in order for everyone’s experiences to improve. “It’s great to share our struggles and our wins; we feed off of each other,” Cavanaugh said. “I was able to get information from there that I could take back with me. It’s about getting a different perspective.” Cavanaugh also said the workshop helped open up each attendee and instill a newfound sense of confidence. “By the end of the week, everyone had a light on their faces,” Cavanaugh said. “The whole week really provided motivation and knowledge of what we all need to do moving forward.” Cavanaugh, who believes getting involved in Women of Steel always felt like a natural fit, got her start in the labor movement as a screener at an airport and a member of Local 1-417. She also served as steward and vice president. She understands that not every woman is naturally assertive and willing to enter leadership positions. However, she believes every woman has what it takes; they just need to take the first step. “So many women decide we’re not going to do things. We wait to be invited,” she said. “We don’t need to wait anymore. Just do it.” Click here to watch a video of highlights from Women’s Week. — Oct 22
-
USW Atomic Workers on Course for a Prosperous Future The following article was published in the Fall 2024 issue of USW@Work. Anita Bevins is part of five generations of family who have worked at the Portsmouth nuclear site in southern Ohio. For nearly 35 years, Bevins has worked at the site operating cranes and has trained hundreds of workers on crane operation. She works alongside two of her children, two grandchildren and two sons-in-law who are also employed at the plant. As she looks forward to retirement, Bevins credits the facility with helping to protect U.S. national security, to ensure energy independence, and to build a strong, secure future for herself, her loved ones and her community. “It has helped me raise my children,” said Bevins, one of about 900 members of Local 689 who are part of six units spread across the sprawling 3,777-acre site in Piketon, about 70 miles south of Columbus. Local 689 is one of seven local unions that are part of the USW’s Atomic Energy Workers Council (AEWC), which represents a total of about 3,000 members. Barry Sexton is one of the longest-tenured USW members at the Portsmouth site. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he joined a work-study program and now has been at the site for more than 45 years. “Talk about luck,” he said. Herman Potter, president of Local 689, himself a second-generation atomic worker, noted that the site is among the largest employers in the region and, thanks to the USW-negotiated wages and benefits, also one of the best places to work. Focus on the Future That is unlikely to change any time soon, especially now that the site is home to a project that represents the future of U.S. nuclear energy. A year ago, Centrus Energy, one of a half-dozen contractors that employs USW members at the federally owned Portsmouth site, launched the first new U.S.-owned and operated uranium enrichment production in 70 years. Inside one of the two identical, massive buildings designed to house the project are a series of tall white cylindrical towers, each containing centrifuges that produce the enriched uranium that will power the next generation of nuclear reactors. Today, there are 16 towers, but hundreds more are expected to fill the space over the next two years. “We are looking years down the road to make sure we remain here,” said Potter. “We are going to need more people, and we’re going to need to train them.” Because that training and the necessary security clearances take roughly 18 months to complete, and the company expects to hire as many as 500 people by 2027, Potter said, the search for new workers is already getting underway, and the union is exploring the possibility of establishing a regional training center at the local hall. Potter credits the local union’s strength in part to its relationship with political leaders, including U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and former Sen. Rob Portman, who invited Potter to be a guest at the State of the Union address in 2016. The Ohio legislators, he said, helped ensure the site would have a strong future. The expansion in Portsmouth comes with increases in federal funding and the strong support of the Biden-Harris administration, which has earmarked $2.7 billion in funding to establish a reliable domestic supply of fuel for the nuclear power industry, part of the White House’s stated goal of achieving energy independence and generating 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035. In July, USW Atomic Energy Workers Council President Jim Key, who also serves as an appointee to the U.S. Department of Labor Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker’s Health, witnessed President Joe Biden sign into law theAccelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (A.D.V.A.N.C.E.) Act. The bipartisan bill sets forth provisions to incentivize the development and deployment of domestically produced advanced nuclear fuel technologies and to clean up hazardous land. Key expects the new law will help bring scores of valuable new union jobs to the atomic sector, including the Portsmouth site. USW District 1 Director Donnie Blatt, who oversees the union’s work throughout Ohio, said the proud USW members at Portsmouth are eager to grow their local as more jobs come to the area. "Portsmouth has been vital to our nation’s atomic energy, and our USW members are key to its future,” said Blatt. “With the new uranium enrichment project, we're not just creating jobs – we're ensuring energy independence and economic growth for our community. Our members' dedication and skill will continue to drive this critical work forward." For America, By Americans The promise of a strong future for the atomic industry is good news for USW members and others in the region, who rely on the ripple effect of the good jobs at Portsmouth to fuel the local economy. “It’s promising,” said Delbert Reisinger, who has worked at the site for 16 years. “It feels good to know we’re using American technology to make a product for Americans.” Reisinger said he’s noticed an uptick in small business activity and other economic growth in the area since the new uranium enrichment work began, and that he expects the growth to continue as the site expands. “We’re ready,” he said. “We’ve proven it time and time again.” Aaron Howard, a chemical operator at the site and daytime union steward, said that the future of the plant will be critical for sustaining the community long-term. Piketon’s population hovers at around just 2,000, and while many who work at the plant commute in from surrounding towns, it is by far the largest employer in the area. “We’re talking about a large economic influx of thousands of jobs,” said Howard. “It means a lot for the people here.” Matt Snider, manager of the new centrifuge plant, said he was thankful for the company’s strong working relationship with the USW. “Centrus is proud to be leading the effort to restore American leadership in uranium enrichment, and grateful for the USW members in our Piketon plant who are making it happen,” Snider said. Health and Safety Essential The new uranium enrichment project at Portsmouth is, in a way, a throwback to the past for a work site that for 45 years was home to a gaseous diffusion plant that enriched uranium – first for use in the nation’s nuclear weapons program and, later, for commercial nuclear reactors. Those operations ended in 2001, and for the past three decades, USW members have performed complex decontamination and decommissioning work there. Fluor-BWXT, the contractor that oversees the decommissioning, custodial, plant protection and other work at the site, is the largest employer of USW members in Portsmouth, with about 650 on its payroll. Greg Wilkett, site manager for the company, said the most important aspect of his work with the union is ensuring that everyone goes home safe at the end of their shift. “You don’t get that unless you have a great partnership,” Wilkett said. “We have a common interest.” Sam Carver said wages and benefits are a small part of what USW membership provides to the workers in Portsmouth. Having a strong voice on the job, particularly on issues of health and safety, is essential, he said. “It’s about knowing that they have your back,” Carver said. “We know that when we bring something up, they’re not going to take it lightly.” Phil Budnik, a unit president and safety representative, said the membership works closely with management at the site on a number of issues, including safety and ensuring adequate funding from the federal government. “We are good at protecting our work force,” said Budnik, who served in a management role at a previous job. “It has given me perspective.” USW members in Portsmouth also have found opportunities to change direction in their careers. Paige Cisco, a second-generation atomic worker, began working at the Portsmouth site during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as a janitor, and for the past three years has worked in process operations. Cisco quickly became a leader within her local, stepping up to become unit president, a full-time safety representative, a sergeant-at-arms and a worker-trainer who now travels around the country providing Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) trainings for fellow USW members. Cisco’s mother, who also worked as a process operator at the site, now works with the Worker Health Protection Program through New York’s Queens College, which partners with the USW, the Department of Energy and other agencies to offer free health evaluations to atomic workers for conditions related to radiation, asbestos, beryllium, noise, solvents, and other potential exposures. Cisco attended the USW’s Health, Safety and Environment conference held in August, where she and other USW members in the nuclear sector had the chance to discuss their health and safety concerns in a special session for atomic workers. “I care about our health and safety at Portsmouth because it’s personal for me,” said Cisco, whose father suffered from three different cancers while employed at the site in Piketon. “The people I work with aren’t just my coworkers – they are my family.” Trent Smith has worked at the Portsmouth site for 31 years doing a variety of jobs. For Smith, the strong connection he feels with co-workers and the members of his community make it a special place to work and live. “There’s a brotherhood. There’s no denying that,” he said of his USW siblings. “They are the community in my eyes.” Legacy of Innovation As the Portsmouth site evolves, it stays grounded in its rich legacy while embracing a promising future. “The new uranium enrichment project marks a pivotal step forward, ensuring that Portsmouth remains at the forefront of America’s nuclear energy future,” said International Vice President Roxanne Brown, who oversees bargaining in the USW’s atomic sector. “This enduring partnership between USW members, industry, and community honors our history while building a brighter future for the nation.” — Oct 21
-
Biomedical Technicians at Georgia American Red Cross Vote to Join USW Orlando Rawls had experienced the benefits of union membership firsthand in his previous position and was eager to share his experience with his new coworkers. Rawls, a biomedical technician at the American Red Cross in Douglasville, Ga., had previously been a member of USW Local 254 when he worked in the facility’s storage and distribution center but lost that representation when he moved to the biomedical equipment department. Rawls said bringing his coworkers on board didn’t happen overnight. It took many serious conversations about their shared priorities and the best way to achieve them. On top of this, working conditions were changing, and morale started to dip as departments shrunk due to outsourcing. “We wanted to stay where we were,” said Rawls. “The individuals I work with have families, and we want to advance in our careers. But we can’t do that if we aren’t part of the union.” After months of organizing, the biomedical technicians voted unanimously to join the USW at the end of September. Rawls and his colleagues look forward to negotiating fair wages and benefits in their first contract and are excited to have a voice on the job.“The union was the backing we were looking for,” said Rawls. “We wanted a seat at the table to have our voices heard.” The six biomedical technicians join approximately 220 other organized workers of Local 254 in the American Red Cross’ manufacturing, storage, and distribution departments. — Oct 21
-
Dow, DuPont, Corteva, IFF and Trinseo Workers Unite in Pittsburgh Contact: Kent Holsing, 989-615-3901, [email protected] (Pittsburgh) – Union leaders representing thousands of workers at Dow, DuPont, Corteva, IFF, and Trinseo locations from the United States and around the globe met last week in Pittsburgh to discuss common issues, devise strategies and pledge their unity. “As workers continue to experience challenges, both locally and globally, union members around the world and in the U.S. will be working together to ensure our best interests are represented,” said Kent Holsing, chairperson of the Dow DuPont North American Labor Council and president of USW Local 12075 in Midland, Mich. “The chemical industry is critically important and its workers are a vital part of that,” Holsing added. “Faced with economic uncertainty, the push for sustainability, digitalization and consumer confidence, we know all too well that corporations don’t stop making decisions and acting in the best interest of their shareholders.” “We must protect workers, not only those in our unions but also non-union employees who don’t have that voice.” The union leaders, over a three-day period, shared collective bargaining data, identified mutual obstacles and determined potential solutions to concerns like short staffing, excessive overtime and increased workplace fatigue, lack of proper training, and workplace and community safety. The council also discussed Dow’s flawed decision and the ramifications to abruptly close the Puerto General San Martin, Argentina location, the future of company-union relations, and the financial strength of each company. The labor leaders strengthened their unions’ international connections, and their interactions boosted mutual respect and understanding across the six companies’ unionized worksites in the U.S. and globally. Representatives from these unions participated in the annual meeting: The United Steelworkers (USW); the International Union of Operating Engineers; Texas City Metal Trades; the International Chemical Workers Union Council/United Food & Commercial Workers; National Conference of Firemen & Oilers; the Ampthill Rayon Workers Incorporated (ARWI); the Dow Chemical European Employee Forum; the Dow Chemical-Stade Works Council (Germany); UNITE the Union (United Kingdom); the Global Union Federation IndustriALL (Geneva, Switzerland); the Union of Workers and Employees Petrochemicals States-SOEPU (Argentina) and the Petroleum Chemical and Rubber Industry Workers’ Union of Turkey-Lastik-İş (Turkey). The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations. ### — Oct 21