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USW Activists Get Moving for Collective Liberation in Detroit Nearly 500 USW members and activists rallied at the Transcending arch monument in Detroit, Mich., on Tues., June 11, their chants demanding social and racial justice for all workers echoing through the downtown streets. The “Time to Move” rally was part of the USW Civil and Human Rights Conference, held June 9-12 in the Motor City. Focused around the theme “I’ve Got the Movement in Me,” the gathering was the first of its kind since before the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, revealing long-lasting racial and economic disparities. The conference kicked off on the evening of Sun., June 9, with a welcome by USW Vice President of Human Affairs Kevin Mapp. The former industrial maintenance mechanic was born and raised in Detroit and serves on both the metro-Detroit and national boards of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), where he works to promote social and economic justice, voting rights and community education. “This is a time to recommit to the fight for collective liberation and celebrate the victories we’ve achieved together,” Mapp told the crowd at the Marriott Renaissance Center. Mapp also reminded the activists what most of them already know – the outcome of the upcoming general election this November will have profound impacts on marginalized communities. “It’s overwhelming,” Mapp said, “and here’s the truth – we must be all in on women’s rights, on LGBTQ+ rights, on immigrants’ rights, on voting rights, as the rich and powerful look to divide and dominate us.” Wins for Workers The following day, Vice President at Large Roxanne Brown got the group fired up for their first full day of workshops with a fiery and informative speech. She focused on the many ways working-class and marginalized people have benefited from the Biden administration’s policies, including the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, which cut the Black child poverty rate in half in 2021. “Can we afford to lose?” Brown asked the crowd, who responded with a resounding “No!” Brown also highlighted the historic low unemployment rates among both Black and Latino Americans. Later in the day, during an afternoon plenary focused on organizing both of these marginalized communities, USW organizer Leshonda Reeves noted the importance of listening to and uplifting Latino and Spanish-speaking workers. “Most of the Latino workers don’t feel they are included or welcome in these facilities,” said Reeves, who helped organize workers at Kumho Tire in Georgia. “We have to fix that because they and Black workers are now the largest percentage of the workforce in the South.” On the second day, during the morning plenary focused on the importance of solidifying global connections, Susan Matthews of IndustriALL Global Union highlighted the shared challenges faced by workers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, including rising fascism. “You in America are more resilient than you know,” said Matthews. “When you feel you want to give up, remember you have the unity of your union.” Resilience and Reconciliation A morning panel continued on the theme of resilience and reconciliation with a group of activists in both the United States and Canada speaking on how the union is aiding Indigenous members. Julia McKay, who works in a mine and also serves as USW District 3’s Indigenous Engagement Coordinator, said this work is particularly important in Canada, where the majority of mining occurs on Native land. Chelsea Olar, who is a heavy equipment operator and proud member of Local 2251, also said this activism is meaningful because of the educational opportunities it provides. “Whether it's a workshop or a caucus or a panel like this, it provides a safe space for Indigenous members to share their stories and helps non-Indigenous members understand what we experience,” said Olar. The conference’s third and final day of conversations and workshops began with a discussion on how marginalized communities’ struggles and destinies are interwoven. Pride at Work Executive Director Jerame Davis spoke on the need for all unions to be involved with LGBTQ+ workers’ rights as attacks on their livelihoods increase. “As members of the labor movement, we have a responsibility not only to our fellow workers but to future generations,” said Davis. “We must be on the right side of history standing up for justice and equality for all.” Jessica Rios Viner, member of Local 3657 and president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), reiterated this need for unwavering solidarity when she spoke about immigrants’ rights. “When you invest in your immigrant workers, you invest in your union.” After several days of learning and sharing, Bryan Combs, a member of Local 9443 in Kentucky, reflected on the connections he made between labor and social justice. “I always wore two hats: one for civil rights and one for labor,” said Combs. “After this, I think I’m just going to put both of them together and go at it that way.” Vice President Mapp concluded the week at the closing reception by encouraging the members to take what they learned back to their locals and communities. “Talk to your friends and families and coworkers, hit the streets for worker-friendly candidates, and never, ever stay silent,” said Mapp. Click here to view all photos from the conference. — Jun 25
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Rapid Response Action Call: Help Us Honor Our Michigan Veterans Tell Your State Representative to Support H.B. 5736! Our nation is home to nearly 16 million veterans of the Armed Forces, and in Michigan, 562,000 residents are military veterans. Many have come home and entered the civilian workforce in a variety of occupations and industries. We’re extra proud of those who are USW members. Steelworkers are working hard to ensure our veterans are taken care of when they return back to the workforce and their communities. In May, Michigan Steelworkers were in Lansing lobbying on H.B. 5736 to bring light to the importance of supporting our veterans. Last week, two of our members, Eric Phillips from Local 2-21 and Tyson Jackson from Local 2659, both veterans, gave powerful testimony to the House Labor Committee. This week, we are excited to report that their stories helped the bill to pass out of the committee. 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
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Daisy Alvarez Leads with Empathy at Local 8599 --- The following article is part of the Stories of Pride profile series by the USW LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee. Daisy Alvarez (she/her) has worked as an interpreter/sign support for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students across the Fontana Public School District since 2007. Throughout the years, what she has loved the most about her job is watching her students grow. “Witnessing those ‘ah-ha’ moments they experience because I’m able to bridge the gap of communication for them is so rewarding,” said Alvarez. Alarez is driven by her empathy for others; it’s why she has been getting more involved in her union, Local 8599, in southern California. And although having a union contract protects Alvarez and her siblings in many ways, she also said it is still an anxious experience being a member of the LGBTQ+ community while working in an educational setting. Meanwhile, Alvarez said a lot of her straight friends don’t understand why she is worried about her future. “There are a lot of districts in California that are going backwards and it’s very scary.” Alvarez sees unions as being in a position to endorse and host trainings on sexual orientation and gender identity for teachers and other educational workers. “Sometimes just acknowledging someone’s pronouns makes a huge difference to their wellbeing,” said Alvarez. “That’s what I believe schools need more of–community and safety.” For this reason, Alvarez said she’s become an unofficial mentor for union siblings and co-workers who aren’t comfortable being open with their own identity but need someone to talk to. “I’m gay, I'm Mexican, I'm a woman – I've had all these strikes against me, but to know I’m someone who’s become a shoulder to lean on makes me proud,” said Alvarez, who idolizes Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers Association. She also does what she can to be a support system to students who are struggling with their mental health, which she said is becoming more common. As the mother of a daughter, this is particularly personal to Alvarez. “I try to point them in the right direction and get them to counseling, because it can be particularly hard if they’re LGBTQ+ and their family isn’t supportive,” said Alvarez. “The suicide rates amongst young people are stunning." This is why Alvarez believes it’s more important than ever for unions to be vocally supportive of queer and trans people. For her, it’s all about equity. “Our only agenda is we want to be seen and heard and represented like everyone else,” said Alvarez. Click here to download a glossary of LGBTQ+ terminology, model contract language, and more resources. — Jun 24
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Abagael West of Local 1088 Celebrates New Life as Union-Represented Professor --- The following article is part of the Stories of Pride profile series by the USW LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee. As Abagael West (they/them) wrapped up the academic year at the University of Pittsburgh this past May, the Teaching Assistant Professor began a new chapter that was a long-time coming: one as a USW member protected by a collective bargaining agreement. At midnight on May 11, nearly 3,000 faculty members at Pitt, including West, ratified their first-ever union contract, nearly three years after voting to join the United Steelworkers. When West first learned about the union campaign six years ago, they didn’t know much about labor, yet as they grew to know the organizers, the biology professor quickly found a like-minded community. “I knew they were doing something good and right,” said West, who is now a proud member of Local 1088. They acknowledge that there are those who don’t understand why workers at a university need the protections of a union. West, who believes “the more unions, the better,” expects this is because many people still hold a view of academia that doesn’t exist anymore. “Most higher education jobs nowadays are very contingent and fairly low-paid,” said West. “I went through more than a decade of schooling to be qualified to do my job, and when I tell people my salary, they’re surprised.” Although the money is important – and West is getting a significant wage hike thanks to this agreement – they believe other wins in the contract are just as vital, including an academic freedom article. “As an educator and a queer person who brings personal life experience to the classroom, being protected in this case is really important.” West also said this issue is becoming more relevant by the day, as right-wing legislative attacks on education and the LGBTQ+ community increase. They view unions capable of, and responsible for, combating both. “We’re seeing queer people and educators under attack in every state, and these laws they’re passing and proposing are absolutely outrageous,” said West. “The political influence that unions can have in this sense is going to be really important.” West said part of this work includes unions investing in these issues and ensuring LGBTQ+ workers are protected like everyone else. “Queer people are everywhere,” said West. “They might not be as loud in every sector, but they might be louder knowing they’re protected by a contract that’s enforced and their union has their backs.” Click here to listen to a USW podcast episode featuring Pitt faculty activists. — Jun 15
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What Happens in Washington Matters By Julie SteinSOAR Director In mid-May, Tammie Botelho, a retiree from Bic Corporation and proud member of USW Local 134L in Milford, Connecticut, joined dozens of SOAR members and hundreds of rank-and-file Steelworkers for the USW's annual Rapid Response Conference in Washington, D.C. This three-day conference includes plenary sessions, workshops, and opportunities to build solidarity with USW local unions and SOAR chapters. On the final day, conferencegoers met face-to-face with federal lawmakers and their staff to discuss a range of issues, including health care, union rights, workplace issues, retirement security, and more. In meetings with two members of Congress and one Senator, Tammie expressed her concerns about a controversial proposal to fast-track cuts to Social Security and Medicare. "Our lawmakers need to hear from folks like me who have worked for decades and paid into programs like Social Security and Medicare so we could someday retire with the dignity we deserve," said Botelho. "But it's not just retirees' issues that concern me. We need to fight against all efforts to undercut the protections Steelworkers are fighting for on the job, and Rapid Response offers all of us an opportunity to do exactly that." However, like so many SOAR members, Tammie's activism extends beyond attending the union's annual Rapid Response Conference. As a new SOAR chapter President, Tammie is leading by example in her own community. "I wanted to start a SOAR chapter to stay involved in our union's work and help younger members and fellow retirees understand that what happens in Washington matters," she said. During one of the plenary sessions, Cheryl Omlor, a former healthcare worker who now works as an Administrative Assistant in our USW's SOAR Office, participated in a panel discussion about unsafe staffing ratios in nursing homes. During the lobbying sessions on Capitol Hill, we told Congress they must protect elderly Americans by ensuring those residing in long-term care facilities have safe staffing levels to provide quality care and worker safety. "It's such an honor to see firsthand the impact USW members and retirees can have when we work together," said Omlor. Click here to view and download the latest SOAR Connection newsletter. — Jun 10