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AEWC President Witnesses Signing of Law to Advance Nuclear Fuel Development USW Atomic Energy Workers Council (AEWC) 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, visited the White House on July 10 to witness President Joe Biden sign into law the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (A.D.V.A.N.C.E.) Act. The bipartisan bill, which passed the Senate by a vote of 88-2 and the House by 393-13, sets forth provisions to incentivize the development and deployment of domestically produced advanced nuclear fuel technologies and to clean up hazardous land. Key leads union-related activity at the former Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Paducah, Ky., and sees the new law as having the potential to bring scores of valuable new union jobs to the area. “This bill lays the groundwork for bringing thousands of family-sustaining wages and good health care benefits to our region, both in the future of small modular reactors (SMRs) and in the resulting labor needed to manufacture SMR components,” said Key. Click here to read more about what the ADVANCE Act means for Paducah and to watch Key on WPSD Local 6 News. — Jul 23
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Rapid Response Info Alert: We Need to Hear from You, Michigan Steelworkers Click here to download this Info Alert as a PDF. Last year, the Michigan Legislature passed Senate Bill 271 of 2023 (Public Act 235 of 2023). This bill calls for Michigan to produce all of its energy from clean sources by 2040. An amendment was added to address the specific concerns of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This amendment requires Michigan’s Public Service Commission to prepare a report on the U.P.'s unique energy needs and limitations. Work on the report has begun and as part of that, the Michigan Public Service Commission is holding a public hearing on July 30. This hearing is intended to provide members of the public an opportunity to share comments regarding the unique conditions influencing electric generation, transmission, and demand in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. USW members have long led the fight within the labor movement to help both America and the world meet important climate goals, while also creating and maintaining good, family-supporting jobs in our union. However, we want to be clear that these decisions must be well thought out and not rushed. This is our opportunity to talk about the impacts on the U.P. and those who live and work there. Please Join Us for this Important Hearing! DATE: Tuesday, July 30, 2024 TIME: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM LOCATION: Northern Michigan UniversityNorthern Center Ballroom II1401 Presque Isle AvenueMarquette, Michigan 49855 Click HERE for more details about the hearing and how you can participate. For additional information, please contact District 1 Rapid Response Coordinator, Sue Browne at [email protected] or 269 - 838 – 5956. — Jul 23
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Rapid Response Action Call: Massachusetts Steelworkers: We Need to Act Fast Click here to download this Action Call as a PDF. USW members have long led the fight within the labor movement to help both America and the world meet important climate goals, while also creating and maintaining good, family-supporting jobs in our union. However, not all legislation shares these goals and right now the Massachusetts legislature is pushing policies that are short-sighted, rushed, and premature.The Massachusetts Senate recently passed S2838. This bill strips both the “obligation to serve” (a requirement of the state to continue to allow gas companies to provide gas connections) and the Gas Safety Enhancement Program (GSEP). The GSEP program was created in 2014 to ensure that leak-prone gas pipes, a common occurrence with the harsh winters and centuries-old infrastructure in the state, are replaced – important work that our members do. The program provides for the safety of our workers, first responders, and our communities.We are thankful that the House did not also pursue this path. The final bill will be reconciled by a six-member conference committee of Senators and Representatives before July 31st. We are asking twothings of the conference committee:
- Maintain the GSEP program (do not include section 101 from the Senate bill).
- Maintain the “obligation to serve” (do not include sections 69 and 97 from the Senate bill).
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Local 105 Member Tonya Clark Leads with Love of Community and Service Tonya Clark works at aluminum manufacturer Arconic in Northern Iowa and is a proud member of Local 105. She serves in a multitude of positions, including steward, trustee, recording secretary for Women of Steel, Civil and Human Rights Chair, and delegate. For Clark, helping others comes naturally. Prior to getting hired at Arconic, she worked in home healthcare where she served some of the most vulnerable community members. Now, she is grateful to lend a hand via her union that feels like home. “I love being a part of a union,” said Clark. “It’s like being in a family, and you’re fighting for what is right.” Clark said that there are plenty of members who don’t understand what it means to be in a union. She believes it requires looking at the bigger picture. “It’s not just about wages,” Clark said. “You meet wonderful people, you learn different things. It’s so much more.” Clark uses her privilege in the union to give back to the surrounding community. Before coming to Arconic roughly ten years ago, she would donate clothing and serve food at a local homeless shelter. Now, she’s honored that her Local 105 siblings participate with her in this and other projects. “A lot of these people have mental issues, or they’re lost because they have no family left, or they’ve been assaulted and don’t know how to find themselves again,” Clark said. This empathy is what has always guided her, because she knows what it means to struggle. “I didn’t always have a lot of money when my kids were younger. I would stand in the Toys for Tots line, even when it was cold and my toes were freezing,” she said. “Now, it’s my turn to help, and I do it happily.” Clark is someone who has, literally, given someone the clothing off her back. During a dinner at the shelter, a young girl mentioned that she didn’t own a jacket. Clark removed her coat and gave it to the girl, no questions asked. “I just like to see a smile on people’s faces,” Clark said. — Jul 15
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Rapid Response Feedback Report: Thank You, Michigan Steelworkers! With your help, our veterans’ bill has passed the Michigan House! Click here to download a PDF of this Feedback Report. Last week, H.B. 5736 (http://usw.to/4LT), our USW-sponsored veterans’ posting bill passed the Michigan House along party lines with a vote of 56 to 54. This clears the path for the bill to head to the senate after summer recess and hopefully onto the Governor’s desk for her signature. H.B. 5736 would require 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, such as: • Free advocacy and assistance through the: Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency 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 MI 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 These programs help to ease the transition back into civilian life and ensure that families and communities are supported after giving selflessly for our country.______________________________________________________________________________________________________How Did Your House Member Vote?We were surprised to see this bill voted along party lines. In nearly every other state where the bill has been passed, both parties came together to support our veterans and voted unanimously for passage. All Democrats voted in favor of passage; all Republicans voted against. To see how your representative voted, click HERE (http://usw.to/4LQ). This good work never gets done without you. We are proud of our veterans and happy that this is one more step forward in making sure they know what resources they have after their service to our country. Thank you for your help and stay tuned for additional action in the senate! — Jul 2
United Steelworkers Press Releases Feed
- AEWC President Witnesses Signing of Law to Advance Nuclear Fuel Development
- Rapid Response Info Alert: We Need to Hear from You, Michigan Steelworkers
- Rapid Response Action Call: Massachusetts Steelworkers: We Need to Act Fast
- Local 105 Member Tonya Clark Leads with Love of Community and Service
- Rapid Response Feedback Report: Thank You, Michigan Steelworkers! With your help, our veterans’ bill has passed the Michigan House!