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Rapid Response Action Call: West Virginia Unemployment benefits are Once Again Under Attack Click here to download this Action Call as a PDF West Virginia Unemployment Benefits are Once Again Under Attack The bill passed the House; Help us stop it in the Senate! For the last two years, our union and our allies have fought diligently to defeat a harmful piece of legislation that makes drastic changes to Unemployment Insurance and threatens the security of every worker in the state. Decades ago, workers fought for, and won, benefits which provide some financial stability during times of unemployment. In a state like West Virginia, that has had historically high unemployment numbers due to extenuating circumstances affecting the state’s main industries, cuts to unemployment compensation are especially harmful. In addition to the Cleveland Cliffs closure we mentioned last week, Appalachian Wood Products has announced it will close. That’s 1,800 jobs lost in less than a week!
“It is simply unimaginable that state lawmakers would consider legislation to reduce the amount of unemployment benefits workers could qualify for, especially considering the devastating news that 1,000 West Virginia workers at Cleveland-Cliffs in Weirton are losing their jobs on top of recent plant and mine closures elsewhere in West Virginia. Legislators should be seeking to help rather than hurt these workers and their families.” - District 8 Director, Larry Ray
Currently, West Virginia does not have a maximum duration of time that a person is eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Instead, it uses a maximum benefit amount to determine how much a worker can receive per year. These current pieces of legislation SB 840 (usw.to/4xf) and SB 841 (usw.to/4xg) would limit and restrict benefits, make 20 weeks the maximum duration of benefits and more to those eligible. West Virginia lawmakers need to do better by these workers. We have to act fast! A vote could come as soon as Wednesday. Click HERE (usw.to/3Li) to find your senator and place a call today. Tell your senator to oppose any legislative push to cut and/or index unemployment benefits. Tell them to reject SB 840 (usw.to/4xf) and SB 841.(usw.to/4xg) Larry R. Ray, Director District 8 For additional questions about this issue or ways to get involved in Rapid Response, contact Chad Conley, USW District 8 Rapid Response Coordinator, at (606)465-6862 or [email protected]. — Feb 28 -
Rapid Response Feedback Report: We did it again! So-called Right to Work has been defeated in New Hampshire Click here to download a PDF of this Feedback Report We Did It Again! So-called Right to Work has been defeated in New Hampshire. Yesterday, with Steelworkers and our allies once again stationed in the gallery, the New Hampshire House soundly killed the latest attempt by state and national proponents to pass so-called right-to-work legislation (HB 1377) by a bipartisan vote of 212 to 168. The measure has been buried with an indefinite postponement vote which means it cannot be resurrected until 2026. For nearly two decades anti-worker legislators have been pushing to usher so-called right to work into the state. And each time, New Hampshire workers have stood their ground and used their voices to push back and defeat it. We could not be prouder of the efforts that went into this defeat, and we thank each and every worker who made yesterday possible “We are so proud of our members from across New Hampshire who showed up at the District meetings, rallies, and the Statehouse. They knew what a disastrous policy Right to Work is to the standard of living and they let their voices be heard loud and clear. They are why we are able to defeat legislation like this time after time. We have them to thank.” – District 4 Director, Dave Wasiura How Did Your House Member Vote? Click HERE (http://usw.to/4xb) to see the Roll Call. (Search Bill No HB1377) This good work never gets done without you. Thank you! — Feb 28
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Rapid Response Action Call: Keep Up the Pressure, Georgia Steelworkers Click here to download this Action Call as a PDF Keep Up the Pressure, Georgia Steelworkers For the last few weeks, we have been diligently pressuring Georgia legislators (http://usw.to/4wn) to oppose S.B. 362 (http://usw.to/4wi), a bill that would prohibit Georgia businesses receiving state economic subsidies from voluntarily recognizing a union in their workplace. This bill is clearly illegal because the federal government already protects this right. If passed it will deplete taxpayer dollars on costly legal fees and is nothing but a waste of time and resources that could be used to craft policies that are beneficial to Georgia families and communities. They knew we were coming. Yesterday, working people showed up at the statehouse in solidarity to urge lawmakers to oppose the bill in an anticipated vote in the House. Those efforts made a critical impact and the vote has been postponed until likely next week. We can’t stop now! We know better and we see right through this. When Steelworkers organize, we win! (http://usw.to/4x9) The new era of the Georgia labor movement is here and S.B. 362 is evidence that anti-union legislators funded by corporations are scared of workers getting their fair share. So, we must keep the pressure on! We Need You Now More than Ever! It's time to take action and reach every state representative. (http://usw.to/4x8) S.B. 362 is a bill that prevents employers in Georgia from receiving state incentives if they recognize union representation without first holding a secret ballot election. Private businesses would also be prohibited from receiving such subsidies if they share the contact information of employees with a union. These practices are legal under federal law and help workers get the unions they want. Let's stand together against S.B. 362 and safeguard the rights of workers and businesses in Georgia. Please take a moment to click HERE (http://usw.to/4x8) to send a prewritten email to your Georgia representative urging them to OPPOSE S.B. 362. It just takes a minute and makes a real impact! — Feb 28
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Women of Steel Own Their Power! The United Steelworkers (USW) know that women deserve a voice on the job and a seat at the table, and that isn’t just a catchy slogan. We firmly believe in amplifying women's voices and ensuring their representation at all levels of decision-making. Through education, inclusivity, and programs like Women of Steel we uplift women’s voices from the shop floor to the bargaining table, to the board room and beyond. Women of Steel know our power and we aren’t afraid to use it. On February 15, 2024, Megan Salrin, a legislative representative with the USW based in our Washington, D.C., Legislative and Policy Department, testified before the United States House Transportation and Infrastructure, Highways and Transit Subcommittee regarding the implementation of Buy America Provisions under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). A proud Woman of Steel, Megan understands the significance of worker voices, especially those of women and other marginalized groups, in shaping legislative and regulatory frameworks. In her capacity, Salrin plays a vital role in researching and assessing legislation and regulations affecting USW members, their employment, and our communities. The subcommittee hearing, chaired by Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AZ), focused on how the Buy America provisions of the IIJA affect U.S. workers, employers, and our economy. Effective enforcement of these provisions not only stimulates demand for goods and services produced by our members but also highlights gaps in the supply chain, encouraging investment in North American facilities. As the sole woman on the panel of witnesses, Salrin spoke with confidence and conviction, advocating for steelworker jobs and facilities. She cautioned against loopholes and blanket waivers, warning against their potential exploitation by profit-driven corporations, which could undermine the law to prioritize their bottom line, leaving workers, the economy, and the environment behind. As an international union with members across the United States and Canada, the USW advocates for domestic procurement provisions in legislation in both countries. While this presents unique challenges, we advocate for collaboration between our governments on trade and procurement policies. As our union engages with legislators in North America and beyond to develop equitable solutions that safeguard our members' jobs and livelihoods, irrespective of their geographic location, Women of Steel like Megan are integral to ensuring that workers voices are heard. Want to learn more about Megan and her experience testifying before Congress? See below for Seven Questions with Megan Salrin, a video from the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. For more information on the USW’s U.S. based legislative and policy work, and to learn how you can get involved go to uswrr.org and sign up for Rapid Response emails at usw.to/4sT today! Have questions? Email us at [email protected]. — Feb 27
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Long-term care workers in Wyoming vote to join the USW Workers at a long-term care facility in Cheyenne, Wyo., are now USW members after voting to join the union earlier this month. The 40 new members work at Edgewood Healthcare Sierra Hills in a variety of positions, including Registered Nurses (RN), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), dietary aides, housekeepers, bus drivers, and more. Taylor Ewig, who has worked as a CNA at the facility for nine years, said the most important issues that she and her co-workers hope to address are staffing levels and wages. “During night shift, there are only two CNAs taking care of 80 patients,” Ewig said. “We also have a number of hospice patients who require a higher level of care.” This is one of the many reasons why the group reached out to the AFL-CIO last December and were connected to the USW. Within just three days, they were able to collect enough cards to file for a union election. District 11 Staff Representative William Wilkinson, who worked with Ewing during the drive, said this excitement reveals what he’s known for a while—that Wyoming is ripe for organizing. “These deeply red states pay sub-par wages and safety is not prioritized,” said Wilkinson. “They’re also changing expectations regularly. That alone is driving a lot of organizing there right now.” Ewig said she looks forward to getting to the table and being able to talk honestly with management about how to improve conditions. “I’m just so proud of all my co-workers for coming together and doing this,” Ewig said. “We’ve never been so close.” — Feb 26
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United Steelworkers Press Releases Feed
- Rapid Response Action Call: West Virginia Unemployment benefits are Once Again Under Attack
- Rapid Response Feedback Report: We did it again! So-called Right to Work has been defeated in New Hampshire
- Rapid Response Action Call: Keep Up the Pressure, Georgia Steelworkers
- Women of Steel Own Their Power!
- Long-term care workers in Wyoming vote to join the USW
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