United Steelworkers Press Releases Feed

  • Rapid Response Action Call: You Have the Power to Defeat Right-to-Work in New Hampshire!
    Click here to download a printable PDF of this Action Call. Last week, we shared important information about House Bill 238-FN, the latest attempt to pass a "Right-to-Work" law in New Hampshire. Now, it’s time to take action. On January 22, 2025, the New Hampshire House Labor Committee will hold a public hearing on this harmful bill. We must stand together, make our voices heard, and oppose this attack on workers’ rights. Whether you live in New Hampshire or live in a surrounding state, let's show that New Hampshire will not let corporate interests undermine the power of working families. You Can Take Action in Two Powerful Ways! #1: Attend Labor Rally and Public Hearing! WHEN: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM WHERE: 33 North State Street, Concord, NH 03301 NOTES: The rally will be held outside. For updates regarding the rally, please visit the Facebook Event Page. Following the rally, the group will go to the public hearing together.   #2: Tell the New Hampshire House Labor Committee to oppose HB 238-FN! To register your position on a bill and/or submit testimony, click HERE. STEP 1: Personal Information
    • Fill in the content boxes with your first and last name, as well as your town, state, and email address.
    STEP 2: Select Date of the Hearing
    • Select 01/22/2025 on the calendar.
    STEP 3: Select Bill
    • For the "Select the Committee" tab, select House Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services.
    • For the “Choose the Bill" tab, select 10:00 AM - HB238.
    • For the "I am" tab, you will most likely select Member of the Public.
    • Fill in the "I'm Representing" context box with the business, organization, or group that you are representing. If you are representing yourself only, write myself.
    • Under the “Indicate Your Position on this Bill” tab, check the I Oppose this Bill circle.
    STEP 4: Upload Remote Testimony (Optional)
    • If you are unable to attend the hearing in person, but wish to submit testimony on the bill, you may upload your testimony or use the text box to type.
    STEP 5: Final Review
    • Once you have reviewed that the information entered is accurate, click the Submit button at the bottom of the webpage.
      For more information on this issue or how you can get more involved with Rapid Response, please contact District 4 Rapid Response Coordinator, Mark McDonald at [email protected].     — Jan 14
  • 2024 Political Year in Review
    Although we summarized the election results in our November Election Connection newsletter, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the following important work USW members contributed to the election effort:
    • More than 5,000 USW members responded to our 2024 Your Union, Your Voice survey to share their thoughts on the most pressing current issues.
    • More than 100 USW members and retirees led our full-time “boots on the ground” election work across critical states.
    • 152 million Americans voted in the 2024 election, which is about 64% of those eligible to vote.
    The 2024 election might not have turned out exactly how we wanted it to, but so many good things were accomplished on behalf of workers this year because we’ve helped elect pro-worker allies in local, state and federal government. While it’s not a complete list, all of the following wins for workers were highlighted in our Election Connection newsletter over the last twelve months:
    • Twenty-two states increased their minimum wage, raising pay for nearly 10 million workers. Only three of these states are so-called “Right to Work” states.
    • Steelworkers rallied a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to defeat anti-union laws that had been proposed in Utah and New Hampshire.  
    • The Biden administration advanced a series of safety and health rules to protect workers on the job, including the USW-backed “Walkaround Rule,” a ban on the import of asbestos, and a historic move to protect workers from heat exposure on the job.
    • In July, the Biden administration officially celebrated one million pensions rescued by the American Rescue Plan. This includes the pensions of 120,000 active and retired USW members.
    • Thanks to the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda – which includes the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act – a historic $693 billion has been invested to date to spur growth in American manufacturing. As a testament to the benefits, earlier this year USW members from Local 1688 were joined by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for an event highlighting how federal investments have added jobs at Cleveland-Cliffs steel mill in Steelton, Pennsylvania.
    • In November, Biden’s National Labor Relations Board banned “captive audience” meetings. Before this recent ruling, employers were permitted to require workers to attend presentations explaining the company's position on not joining or forming unions. These obligatory meetings tend to coerce employees and harm workers’ chances of getting the union they want.
     — Jan 13
  • Rapid Response Action Call: Michigan Steelworkers Tell Governor Whitmer to Save Public Employees’ Healthcare
    Click here for a printable PDF of this Feedback Report. Last year, we asked you to reach out to your state legislators about addressing the deficiencies in Public Act 152. This unfair law forces us to negotiate inadequate healthcare insurance coverage just to keep premiums affordable. The result? Higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums that place an enormous financial burden on working families. Your efforts paid off! In 2024, Michigan passed HB 6058 - a bill that begins to eliminate the arbitrary and unjust Public Act 152. It’s a massive victory for the thousands of public sector workers the USW represents - librarians, crossing guards, public school custodians, EMS workers, bus drivers, and so many others. But the fight isn’t over. HB 6058 now needs to make it’s way to Governor Whitmer’s desk. Management groups are actively pressuring her to veto the bill because they don’t want to provide workers with the healthcare they deserve - despite record funding for schools and local governments. If the Governor doesn’t sign this bill, healthcare cost increases expected in 2025 will fall squarely on the backs of public sector workers. We can’t let management be the only voice the Governor hears. She needs to hear from workers—NOW. Click HERE to send a prewritten email directly to Governor Whitmer’s office. Let her know how critical it is to sign HB 6058 and protect Michigan’s public sector workers from devastating healthcare cost increases. The solution is here. Governor Whitmer needs to finish the job and sign HB 6058 immediately. Let’s make our voices heard! — Jan 10
  • Rapid Response Feedback Report: Social Security Benefits Restored for Public Employees!
    Click here for a printable PDF of this Feedback Report. On Sunday, January 5, 2025, President Biden signed H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act into law. In November, H.R. 82 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 327 to 75. Later in December, thanks to action made by all of you, the Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 76 to 20. The passage of the Social Security Fairness Act marks a significant victory for our USW siblings in the public sector and public employees nationwide. By eliminating the unjust Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), this achievement restores the promise of a secure and dignified retirement for those who have dedicated their lives to serving our communities. This is a powerful step toward fairness for all workers.   — Jan 6
  • 2024 Highlights: Rapid Response in Action!
    Click here for a printable PDF. Today we bid farewell to the 118th U.S. Congress and welcome in the 119th. We wanted to take this moment to reflect on just a few of the remarkable achievements of 2024. Your unwavering dedication, solidarity, and tireless efforts have been the driving force behind these successes. Together, we’ve made incredible strides in protecting and advancing the values that unite us. Thank you for standing strong and advocating for workers everywhere! Key Moments from 2024: Empowering Workers through Collective Bargaining: In a landmark victory for workers, the Illinois Worker Freedom of Speech Act (SB 3649) was signed into law in July. This groundbreaking legislation puts an end to employer-led “captive audience” meetings aimed at undermining union organizing efforts. This achievement represents a major step forward in protecting workers' rights and strengthening the labor movement. Championing Safety and Health: Our members in Massachusetts made their voices heard by sending over 1,100 letters to legislators, urging them to remove two dangerous amendments from an energy bill. These amendments posed a threat to the critical work of our gas workers and community safety. Thanks to this collective action, the amendments were excluded from the final legislation. While this issue may reemerge, we are prepared to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting our members and the environment. Fighting for Job Security and Fair Trade: USW has been relentless in its fight for workers impacted by unfair trade deals and offshoring. Despite challenges, we continue to push for the reauthorization of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), which provides robust job training for workers affected by trade-related layoffs. In 2024, we brought the voices of impacted workers to Congress, advocating for action to ensure their future. Improving Health Care Standards: April 22 marked a significant milestone when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed a regulation requiring safe staffing levels in nursing homes. This rule ensures that registered nurses (RNs) and nursing assistants (NAs) are always on duty, addressing the staffing crisis and prioritizing quality care for patients. Securing Retirement Fairness: On December 21, the U.S. Senate passed the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) with overwhelming bipartisan support. This legislation eliminates provisions that unfairly reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for public employees. President Biden is scheduled to sign this historic bill into law on January 6, 2025. Investing in Our Future: Throughout the year, significant federal investments through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) strengthened our communities and industries. These initiatives underscore the power of federal support in building a robust economy, and we remain committed to championing these transformative efforts. Supporting Veterans: 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. In 2024, this legislation was passed in Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Utah, and Virginia. As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2024, we also look forward with excitement and determination around the opportunities and challenges ahead. Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to advancing our core values.Get ready to continue to stand up for workers in 2025! — Jan 6