United Steelworkers Press Releases Feed

  • Atomic Energy Workers Council Focuses on Retention, Safety
    At the Atomic Energy Workers Council (AEWC) biannual meeting last week, representatives from the United Steelworkers (USW) addressed pressing challenges facing atomic workers, including retention, health and safety concerns, and the upcoming presidential election. Retention challenges at the forefront Derek Gaston, Deputy Technical Area Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation program, addressed the council about the workforce needed to achieve the Biden administration’s goal of tripling nuclear energy output by 2028. Gaston estimated that nearly 375,000 new workers will be required—approximately four times the current workforce. “We need your help to reach these goals,” Gaston said. “The future of nuclear energy relies on a strong, well-trained workforce.” Council members voiced concerns about the recruitment and training necessary to meet these ambitious goals. Matt Chavez, President of USW Local 12-652 at the Idaho National Lab, pointed out that issues related to wages, pensions, and stringent clearance requirements are hindering recruitment efforts, particularly among younger workers. “These guys are seeing the writing on the wall – employees will be jumping ship,” Chavez noted, highlighting higher wages available in nearby Boise. “We’ll face serious challenges if we don’t address this.”  Safety and maintenance concerns Jeff Avery, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Environmental Management, listened as representatives from various atomic sites raised alarms about health and safety due to inadequate maintenance of facilities and equipment. At the Idaho National Lab, council members reported a number of pressing health and safety concerns regarding equipment and infrastructure. Representatives from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant also highlighted the urgent need for upgrades to critical infrastructure at the New Mexico site. Avery acknowledged a “broad awareness” within the EM office that WIPP requires funding from the DOE for these projects. Training and workforce development successes Despite these challenges, USW-led training programs for nuclear workers are proving successful. The USW Tony Mazzocchi Center (USWTMC) has surpassed its workforce development target, achieving 123 percent of its goal for the number of nuclear workers trained through TMC programs. The Portsmouth, Ohio site continues to improve its training efforts and recently secured a $2 million grant to provide skills training and certification programs for 700 workers. Looking ahead USW International Vice President Roxanne Brown, who leads both the USW’s legislative work and the union’s atomic sector, underscored the significance of the upcoming 2024 presidential election for the nuclear industry. “This sector is unique; who occupies the White House and leads Congress truly matters,” Brown stated. The USW has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for the presidential ticket, expressing confidence that Harris will continue to champion essential policies for the sector, such as climate action and workforce development. The council intends to meet with the incoming administration next year to outline their priorities. “We want to ensure that we clearly communicate our expectations for this sector and its implications for the economy,” Brown emphasized. As the council prepares for the next administration, the focus will be on securing firm commitments for the future of atomic workers. The AEWC plans to reconvene in April 2025 at the USW’s Constitutional Convention to consolidate the priorities they want to deliver to the next administration. “This is fundamentally about ensuring a future for our jobs at these sites,” Brown said. “We have a unique opportunity to outline what that future should look like. We know how to do this work; we just need to be clear and specific about our requests.”  — Oct 8
  • From the SOAR Director: USW Retirees and Active Members Hopeful for Continued Progress in 2024 Elections
    With the 2024 election fresh in our minds, I thought I’d take this opportunity to take stock of the top legislative and policy victories we’ve secured over the last four years.  While we can’t possibly list every victory, I’m hopeful that this review will embolden and motivate us for the important work that lies ahead.  Federal legislative and policy victories:
    • Union Pensions Rescued:  120,000 active and retired USW members were among the 1.3 million union members whose pensions were rescued by the Biden/Harris American Rescue Plan.
    • Lower Prescription Drug Costs were achieved through the historic Inflation Reduction Act, which empowered Medicare to negotiate costs with drug manufacturers.  As a result, Medicare recipients now enjoy a $35 monthly cap for their insulin and, beginning in 2025, a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket prescription costs, saving an estimated 19 million Medicare beneficiaries $400 per year on average. 
    • Renewed, Pro-worker direction at the National Labor Relations Board has helped spur a massive surge in union elections.  President Biden took swift action to fire the former NLRB general counsel who turned the Board against workers, chipping away at our bargaining ability and generally weakening unions.  Then, on numerous occasions, Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to confirm labor-friendly members to the Board, creating an opportunity to restore and increase Board funding and to reverse Trump-era rules that restricted union activities in American worksites.
    • Historic investments in American manufacturing, thanks to another tie-breaking vote from Vice President Harris, helped pass the Biden/Harris Inflation Reduction Act.  This law is sparking private investment in new manufacturing and has provided existing facilities with the resources to upgrade technology to remain competitive.
    • Hard-fought improvements in workplace health and safety include a new ban on the import and use of asbestos in worksites and a long-awaited rule to limit workers’ exposure to silica dust.  Additionally, the Biden/Harris Department of Labor has moved to create a new federal standard to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and death. 
    State-level legislative and policy victories: 
    • Michigan’s newly-elected, pro-union governor and legislature – the state’s first in nearly 40 years – acted to restore workers’ collective bargaining rights by repealing the state’s so-called right-to-work law and putting an end to the unfair pension tax.
    • Minnesota’s pro-worker, pro-retiree legislature and governor, Tim Walz (now our endorsed Vice Presidential Nominee), passed a state budget (HF3028/SF3035) that was hailed as the “most significant worker protection bill in state history.”
    • In Ohio, voters defeated Issue 1, which would have raised the threshold for voters to amend the constitution to a supermajority of 60 percent and enacted stricter requirements for getting amendments on the ballot.
    I hope this much-abbreviated list of accomplishments fills you with confidence and resolve as we gear up for another year of fighting to strengthen union power, enhance workplace safety and health, and protect every American’s right to a secure retirement. While much attention has been focused on the presidential campaign, we must remember that state and federal lawmakers also make the decisions that impact our access to health care, our ability to afford prescribed medications, the availability of various health care services in our communities, and so much more. Strengthening retirement security has long been a top priority of Steelworkers, as evidenced by our 2020, 2022 and 2024 Your Union, Your Voice (YUYV) survey results.  We must remain vigilant in growing union power as we celebrate these policy victories and keep the momentum going.    -Julie SteinSOAR Director     — Oct 3
  • Local 14300’s Reagan Benge Discovers Newfound Confidence at District 8 Women’s Conference
    Reagan Benge has worked as a material handler at Jackson Warewashing Systems in Gray, Kent., for three years and has been wanting to get more involved with Local 14300. She knew the USW District 8 Women of Steel Conference this past August was a great way to do just that. “Our local’s Women of Steel Chair invited me, and at first, I was a little on edge because I’m pretty shy,” Benge said. “But then I got to learn from other sisters and hear about their experiences, and it really inspired me.” Benge’s favorite part of the conference – the District’s first of its kind – was learning about the history of labor and all the sacrifices workers made to grow and strengthen the movement. She’s now ready to help build her local’s Women of Steel committee, which already is well on their way with organizing luncheon fundraisers for workers in need. “It’s changed the whole factory completely,” said Benge. “It’s building solidarity.” Benge is also grateful to have a union job because of the camaraderie that has given her a newfound confidence. “I feel like I have a backbone now,” she said. “I know my union will have my back.” One thing Benge is looking forward to is getting more women at the 200-member facility involved and even potentially running for local union office. In the meantime, when Benge isn’t at the factory or fundraising with her USW siblings, she loves to work on her Mustang and compete in drag racing competitions. Her advice to other women who want to get involved in their union but feel too nervous to start? “If you get the chance, you should definitely take the risk and step up,” Benge said. “If you don’t, nothing will change.” — Sep 20
  • Rapid Response Feedback Report: Thank You, Indiana Steelworkers!
    With your help, our veterans’ bill has been signed into law. For the last four years, the 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. Here's what is included: • Free advocacy and assistance through the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs 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 IN 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 Our veterans often return to civilian life after serving our nation without guidance on how to receive the benefits their service entitles them. This legislation brings us one step closer to making sure their sacrifice is properly honored. We are so happy to share our bill passed the Senate and Assembly unanimously (http://usw.to/511) and has been signed into law in Indiana! (http://usw.to/512) This was done through the hard work of our Veterans of Steel siblings and USW members who support them through our lobbying efforts. We will continue to push for the same legislation in every state across the country. These efforts help to ease the transition back into civilian life and ensure that families and communities are supported after giving selflessly for our country. — Aug 27
  • Health Care Workers Dive into Tailored Programming at 2024 Health, Safety and Environment Conference
    Dozens of health care workers from districts across the union sharpened their skills and shared their stories last week at the 2024 Health, Safety and Environment Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa.Dietary workers, paramedics, pharmaceutical workers, CNAs, LPNs, and others participated in a full day of customized health care programming on Wednesday.  In a first-of-its-kind offering, health care workers discussed how new technologies impact workers and patients alike in a session titled Technology in Health Care: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Sensors, and More. Members shared their experiences with robots that deliver food to patients, electronic welcome screens and kiosks, and automated call-backs for patients. While AI and new technologies will continue to impact USW workplaces, the union provides avenues to address issues and respond proactively at the bargaining table and beyond. “We’ve been down this road before as Steelworkers,” said Tamara Lefcowitz, course facilitator and coordinator for the Health Care Workers Council. “We’ve been dealing with new technologies and automation for 80 years. The biggest weapon that we have is a seat at the table.”Health care members of all stripes also benefited from workshops like Ergonomics in Health Care: Safe Patient Handling and Office Equipment, which reviewed ergonomic hazards unique to patient care and office work. Lisa Baum, an Occupational Health and Safety Representative for the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and a member of USW Local 9544, and Micki Siegel de Hernandez, the Communication Workers of America’s (CWA) National Deputy Director for Occupational Safety and Health facilitated the course. The workshop also featured a hands-on presentation of safe patient handling equipment and a practice computer workstation. Equipment specialists were available to answer specific questions.Wednesday’s programming concluded with Mental Health for Health Care Workers, a panel discussion examining the taxing nature of caregiving and how the union can help. The panel had several important takeaways for Elaine Stewart, a personal support worker from Local 8300 in Toronto.“Mental health impacts all of us in some way,” said Elaine. “As a union steward and member of my local’s health and safety committee, I feel like I will be better able to serve my coworkers if someone calls me needing help or support.” The health care track at this year’s conference was made possible by the USW Health Care Workers Council, the USW Health, Safety, and Environment Department, the Tony Mazzocchi Center, the Education and Membership Development Department, and the union’s Legislative and Policy Department.  — Aug 27