United Steelworkers Press Releases Feed

  • Rapid Response Action Call: Restore Social Security Benefits for Public Sector Workers!
    Click here to download this Action Call as a PDF. Urge Your U.S. Senators to Bring the Social Security Fairness Act to a Vote Now! Retirement is a key priority for every Steelworker, and our union fights tirelessly to protect it. Each year, nearly four million Americans retire, relying on Social Security benefits they’ve earned. However, many public employees, including thousands of Steelworkers, are denied their fair share.What’s the issue and solution?
    • Due to bad policy choices made by past elected leaders, many public employees have their Social Security benefit reduced or eliminated.
      • Our union represents thousands of workers in the public sector, including librarians, crossing guards, public school custodians, emergency medical service (EMS) personal, bus drivers, and so many other folks who serve our communities.
    • Certain laws, commonly known as the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), hurt public employees in 26 states by making it harder for them to retire.
      • GPO reduces or eliminates Social Security benefits for public employees who earn a government pension and are also eligible for Social Security benefits from spouses, widows, and widowers.
      • WEP penalizes workers who have paid into Social Security, but also receive a government pension or disability benefit.
    • For decades, working class families have fought to end the GPO and WEP by passing H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act.
    What is H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act?
    • The bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act will guarantee that millions of public employees can retire with dignity by repealing the GPO and WEP.
    • H.R. 82 would restore fairness by ensuring that public employees receive the full Social Security benefits that reflect their contributions.
    What’s the process for passing H.R. 82 into law? **To view USW’s International President David McCall’s letter to the Senate regarding this issue, please clickHERE Tell Your U.S. Senators to Bring the Social Security Fairness Act to a Vote!Click HERE (usw.to/56n) to send a prewritten email to your Senators to urge them to bring H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, to a vote before the end of the 118th Congress.You can also call them and be directly connected by using our toll-free number below. Tell them who you are, where you are from, and to support H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act.Senate Toll-Free Number: 1-877-607-0785(Remember to make two calls to be connected with both your Senators.)     — Dec 3
  • From the SOAR Director: Retirees Have Reason to Celebrate
    Throughout 2024, mainly since Labor Day, USW and SOAR members worked tirelessly to ensure our core values were on voters' minds as they prepared to cast their ballots.   In our conversations with fellow union members, our families and the community, we spoke passionately about collective bargaining, workplace safety and health, job security, domestic economic issues, health care, and retirement security.   We also did everything in our power to remind union voters of the following:
    • Our union’s endorsements are a recognition of shared values.  As with any election, the USW only endorsed candidates who clearly demonstrated their support for protecting and strengthening unions.  If a candidate was anti-union, they didn’t get our support.  It’s that simple.
    • Who you vote for is a personal decision, and the central role of our member-to-member voter mobilization effort is to ensure union members and our families know which candidates share our values and those who don’t.  
    By midnight on November 5, it was clear that our union’s endorsed candidate for President, Kamala Harris, would not be victorious.   However, we’ve been thankful for the number of USW-backed candidates who have prevailed as votes continue to be counted in the battleground states, including:
    • Arizona:  Voters elected Ruben Gallego to the United States Senate;
    • Michigan:  Voters opted to secure a labor-friendly majority in the state supreme court with the election of Kyra Harris Boulden and Kimberly Ann Thomas.  Additionally, our friend Elissa Slotkin prevailed in her campaign for the U.S. Senate, along with labor-friendly candidates in competitive Congressional Districts, including Hillary Scholten (MI-3), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-8), Haley Stevens (MI-11), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13);
    • North Carolina:  Union ally Josh Stein was elected Governor;
    • Ohio:  Voters reelected incumbent labor allies, including Greg Landsman (OH-1), Joyce Beatty (OH-3), Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Emilia Sykes (OH-13).  We are still awaiting the outcome in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, where our longtime friend, Marcy Kaptur, is currently leading; 
    • Nevada:  Our efforts were key in securing reelection for U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen while also assuring victories for Dina Titus (CD-1), Susie Lee (CD-2) and Steven Horsford (CD-4); 
    • Pennsylvania:  Voters opted to keep a labor-friendly majority in the state house while also delivering victories for union-endorsed candidates, including Chrissy Houlihan (CD-6), Chris Deluzio (CD-17), Nick Pisciottano (SD-45), Rob Matzie (HD-16) and Arvind Venkat (HD-30); and,  
    • Wisconsin:  One of our closest allies in the U.S. Senate, Tammy Baldwin, prevailed in her reelection campaign while labor-friendly allies made inroads in the newly redistricted state legislature.  
    Outside of these battleground states, our union is celebrating a growing list of victories for pro-labor candidates in local, state and federal elections, including those who won in competitive elections for the U.S. House of Representatives, including Frank Mrvan (IN-1), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), and Eric Sorenson (IL-17). This is far from a complete list of all the victories our efforts helped secure in the 2024 elections. But, we wanted to highlight these wins because we are proud of the tireless work of our USW and SOAR members who, against all odds, helped ensure an election outcome that will mean retired and working people will continue to be well-represented in local, state and federal government. Rest up during the holidays! And get ready for our ongoing efforts to continue this vital work in 2025.   -SOAR DirectorJulie Stein     — Nov 26
  • From the SOAR President: Tis the Season to Shop and Compare
    As most of us on Medicare know, this is the time of the year when we receive those annoying phone calls and mailings trying to get us to join a Medicare Advantage program (Medicare Part C) that will “give us the BEST benefits at little or no cost to us.” Is there anyone who really believes that an insurance company that exists to make a profit for the owners/shareholders of the company wants to provide you with excellent coverage for little to no cost? Why would these companies hire people to call us, spend money mailing us literature, or hire actors and former athletes to make commercials to influence us to purchase their product? According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), the gross profit margin per enrollee in the Medicare Advantage market for 2023 was $1,982. This report highlights that older adults represent the largest group of healthcare consumers, generating significant revenue for insurance companies. The top five health insurance companies offering Medicare Advantage products in 2023 reported a combined profit of $44.5 billion! Additionally, AARP states that people with Medicare will have access to an average of 15 Part D plans and 34 Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage next year. With so many choices, along with confusing terminology and high-pressure sales tactics, it’s no wonder that navigating the best plan can be frustrating. In September, President-elect Trump mentioned that he has a "concept of a plan" for improving medical care. Hopefully, this concept addresses the findings from a study published in 2023 in JAMA Network Open, a monthly open-access medical journal published by the American Medical Association, revealing that 20 percent of older adults do not take their medications as prescribed due to cost. This plan should prevent seniors from falling into bankruptcy while trying to cover their medical expenses. It should ensure that seniors receive the prescriptions their doctors recommend rather than being limited to those that their insurance will cover. Furthermore, it should allow seniors to seek treatment at facilities of their choice rather than restricting them to those within the insurance carrier's network. With one party poised to gain control of the government’s Executive and Legislative branches, it will be evident how committed they are to addressing these critical and often life-threatening issues, as well as their proposed solutions. In the meantime, you may be able to save money or find better coverage by shopping around and comparing different Medicare Advantage or supplemental programs to cover the costs not paid by traditional Medicare. Note: Your SOAR Executive Board does not endorse any product or claim any plan superior to another. However, we will continue to provide information on these types of plans to the best of our ability so that our members can decide what kind of plan best suits their needs. Please stay safe and enjoy this holiday season! And thank you for all that you do to promote and support SOAR. -SOAR PresidentBill Pienta — Nov 26
  • Veronica Bragassa Celebrates 28 Years of Knowledge and Power at Local 560L
    --- The following article is part of the Women of Steel "Sister Stories" series. Veronica Bragassa will soon be celebrating her 28th year as a member of USW Local 560L at Arrowhead Products in Los Alamitos, Calif. As a resistance seam welder specialist, her job is physical and demanding. It’s an environment where many women may not feel comfortable, as it is a male-dominated field, but Bragassa said that because of her collective bargaining agreement, her rights and dignity as a woman at work are protected. “Seniority and having a willingness to learn and a good work ethic will get a woman any job here that a man can have,” she said. Bragassa currently serves as a steward and as co-chair for the local’s Women of Steel (WOS) committee. She is also a WOS facilitator, leading workshops and trainings on issues impacting women on the job, including health and safety concerns. She said she has discovered so much about herself and others by participating in Women of Steel, including the importance of networking and being open to learning new things. “Knowledge is power,” Bragassa said, “and like iron sharpens iron, to be amongst strong women is encouraging and helps me to be more confident in stepping forward.” The Women of Steel program, she said, is an incredible opportunity for women to simply connect and find hope. “Knowing you’re not alone is huge,” said Bragassa. “It’s amazing to know that support is just a phone call away.” If Bragassa could tell her younger self one thing, it would simply be to enjoy the moment. “There was something to enjoy at every stage of life,” she said. “What’s important is to keep a positive perspective and a good attitude.” — Nov 22
  • 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