United Steelworkers Press Releases Feed

  • 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
  • Woman of Steel Nellie Caraballo has high hopes for next generation, continues fight for justice in retirement
    This article is part of the Women of Steel "Sister Stories" series. --- When Nellie Caraballo began working for the City of Lorain, Ohio, in September 1986, she was in the early stages of rebuilding her life while going through a divorce and serving in the U.S. Army. She had a toddler to raise, and she was eager for the good wages and benefits that would help her do that. Perhaps even more importantly, she would now be able to retire with a pension and health care. This isn’t to say her start in the public sector wasn’t without challenges. In fact, Nellie spent the first half decade dealing with daily harassment from a foreman. The experience made her dread coming into work every day, and five years in, her local union president visited Nellie in her office. He said he knew she’d been experiencing problems and wanted to know why she had never come to the union for help. “He encouraged me to file a grievance, and I asked what that was going to do for me,” Nellie said. “He looked at me and said, ‘I’ll show you.’”  The Making of an Activist Within weeks, Nellie and her local president settled the dispute. Nellie was transferred to a different department and the foreman was no longer allowed to enter her office or be near her while she was there. “This sparked my interest in the union,” said Nellie. “How did this guy come into my office and resolve within weeks what I couldn’t resolve in five years? I wanted to know what this was all about and learn whatever I could.” This marked Nellie’s involvement and commitment to her local, a decision that would eventually evolve as she expanded her activism into the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), her Central Labor Council, and, of course, Women of Steel. Sixteen years into her career with the city, she joined the USW as a staff representative in District 1. The Fight Continues Now, as a retiree, Nellie continues serving the union as a SOAR activist. But she is also holding space for the next generation of leaders, who she believes is going to play a major role in transforming the idea of justice and progress. “Young people are out there educating themselves, and it warms my heart,” Nellie said. “They’re going to change Americans’ thinking, and I truly believe they’re going to change the world and make it more inclusive.” Nellie said that the fights younger workers are facing are, in many ways, the same fights her generation endured. “We’re still fighting division because there are factions that want to take us back, to erase history, so we still have to fight to just keep what we have,” she said. “We have to fight for our kids.” Nellie also knows that there are always new fights. The one she is currently focused on is taking action on the Social Security Fairness Act. Last month, the U.S. House passed a bill to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), both of which reduce Social Security benefits for certain retirees who also receive pension income, including public sector workers. SOAR activists like Nellie are spreading the word and asking union members to email a pre-written statement to their senators encouraging them to support the bill, which is likely to come up for a vote before the end of December. “This is the farthest this legislation has ever come in Congress, Nellie said. “We have very little time to act.” Click here to learn more and take action today! — Dec 17
  • Rapid Response Feedback Report: U.S. Senate Blocks NLRB Nominees in Key Vote
    Click here to download this Feedback Report as a PDF. On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the U.S. Senate rejected the confirmations of two nominees to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) by voting 50 to 49 against current Chair Lauren McFerran and canceling the vote scheduled for Josh Ditelberg. This rejection has significant implications for the functioning and balance of the NLRB, which oversees critical issues related to labor disputes, union elections, and workers’ rights.Click here to see how your U.S. Senators voted. Immediate Impact:
    • As of December 16, 2024, there will be two vacancies on the five-person Board. Historically, the NLRB avoids significant case decisions when operating with only three Members.
    • These vacancies hamper the Board’s ability to oversee union elections and make decisions on conflicts related to organizing and collective bargaining, such as when an employer engages in illegal tactics during a strike or during negotiations.
    Upcoming Challenges:
    • Our nation faces the possibility of an extremely anti-worker and inactive NLRB. USW members should be prepared for the following:
      • Recent decisions could be reversed, such as the banning of captive audience meetings; the expansion of remedies for workers illegally fired; the reduction of delays in union elections to counter employer stalling tactics; and so much more.
      • Trust for the Board could be undermined. The ability for workers to collectively bargain could be weakened, and an environment where worker protections are effectively sidelined could be created.
    Next Steps:• Continue to engage in Rapid Response to learn and take actions on worker related policy decisions – good or bad!• Build relationships with your union siblings to talk about policies impacting workers and our right to collectively bargain.     — Dec 13