United Steelworkers Press Releases Feed

  • 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
  • Rapid Response Action Call: We Need Quick Action, Michigan Steelworkers!
    Click here to download this Action Call as a PDF. Back in July, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in Mothering Justice v. Attorney General that the Legislature violated the state constitution in 2018 by using a shady tactic known as “adopt and amend” to undermine two citizen-proposed statutes. These rulings should pave the way for significant progress — one law to raise Michigan’s minimum wage and another to guarantee paid sick leave for workers.But right now, the Michigan House is considering two dangerous bills, HB 6056 and HB 6057, that aim to undercut this critical ruling. If passed, these bills would strip Michiganders of the wages and benefits they’ve been unfairly denied for the past six years — money and protections workers are owed by law.The clock is ticking! With the legislative session nearing its end, anti-worker forces are rushing to push these bills through. We cannot let this happen. They must hear from YOU, loud and clear: Protect Michigan workers. Stop these harmful bills.TAKE ACTION NOW: Your Voice is Critical! Send an Email to Your Michigan Representative TODAY!Click HERE to send a prewritten email to your state representative. Michigan has a proud legacy of fighting for the middle class. These bills — HB 6056 and HB 6057 — are a direct attack on that legacy and on the working people who need fair wages and benefits the most.Don’t wait. Act now to demand justice for Michigan workers. Together, we can stop this attack on our progress. For additional information, please contact District 1 Rapid Response Coordinator, Sue Browne at [email protected] or 269 - 838 - 5956. — Dec 13
  • A Deeper Look at USW Members’ Impact on the 2024 Election
    This article was originally published in the Election Connection. Throughout 2024, particularly since Labor Day, USW members and retirees worked tirelessly to ensure our core values were on the minds of voters as they prepared to cast their ballot. In our conversations with fellow union members, our families and community, we spoke passionately about collective bargaining, workplace safety and health, job security, domestic economic issues, health care, and retirement security. We also did everything in our power to remind union voters of the following: ·       Our union’s endorsements are a recognition of shared values. As with any election, the USW only endorsed candidates who clearly demonstrated their support for protecting and strengthening unions. If a candidate was anti-union, they didn’t get our support. It’s that simple. ·       Who you vote for is a personal decision, and the central role of our member-to-member voter mobilization effort is to ensure union members and our families know which candidates share our values, as well as those who don’t. While the union’s endorsed candidate for president, Kamala Harris, was not victorious, we are thankful for the number of USW-backed candidates who prevailed in presidential battleground states, including: ·       Arizona: Voters elected Ruben Gallego to the United States Senate. ·       Michigan: Voters opted to secure a labor-friendly majority to the state supreme court with the election of Kyra Harris Boulden and Kimberly Ann Thomas. Additionally, our friend Elissa Slotkin prevailed in her campaign for the U.S. Senate, along with labor-friendly candidates in competitive Congressional Districts including Hillary Scholten (MI-3), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-8), Haley Stevens (MI-11), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13). ·       Nevada: Our efforts were key in securing reelection for U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, while also assuring victories for Dina Titus (CD-1), Susie Lee (CD-2) and Steven Horsford (CD-4). ·       North Carolina: Union ally Josh Stein was elected Governor. ·       Ohio: Voters reelected incumbent labor allies including Greg Landsman (OH-1), Joyce Beatty (OH-3), Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Emilia Sykes (OH-13). We are still awaiting the final outcome in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District where our longtime friend, Marcy Kaptur, is currently leading. ·       Pennsylvania: Voters opted to keep a labor-friendly majority in the state house while also delivering victories for union-endorsed candidates including Chrissy Houlihan (CD-6) and Chris Deluzio (CD-17).   ·       Wisconsin: One of our closest allies in the U.S. Senate, Tammy Baldwin, prevailed in her reelection campaign while labor-friendly allies made inroads in the newly redistricted state legislature. This is far from being a complete list of all the victories our efforts helped secure in the 2024 elections. But, we wanted to bring attention to these wins because we are proud of the tireless work of USW members who helped ensure an election outcome that will mean working people will continue to be well represented in local, state and federal government. — Dec 9
  • Rapid Response Action Call: Restore Social Security Benefits for Public Sector Workers!
    Click here to download this Action Call as a PDF. Urge Your U.S. Senators to Bring the Social Security Fairness Act to a Vote Now! Retirement is a key priority for every Steelworker, and our union fights tirelessly to protect it. Each year, nearly four million Americans retire, relying on Social Security benefits they’ve earned. However, many public employees, including thousands of Steelworkers, are denied their fair share.What’s the issue and solution?
    • Due to bad policy choices made by past elected leaders, many public employees have their Social Security benefit reduced or eliminated.
      • Our union represents thousands of workers in the public sector, including librarians, crossing guards, public school custodians, emergency medical service (EMS) personal, bus drivers, and so many other folks who serve our communities.
    • Certain laws, commonly known as the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), hurt public employees in 26 states by making it harder for them to retire.
      • GPO reduces or eliminates Social Security benefits for public employees who earn a government pension and are also eligible for Social Security benefits from spouses, widows, and widowers.
      • WEP penalizes workers who have paid into Social Security, but also receive a government pension or disability benefit.
    • For decades, working class families have fought to end the GPO and WEP by passing H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act.
    What is H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act?
    • The bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act will guarantee that millions of public employees can retire with dignity by repealing the GPO and WEP.
    • H.R. 82 would restore fairness by ensuring that public employees receive the full Social Security benefits that reflect their contributions.
    What’s the process for passing H.R. 82 into law? **To view USW’s International President David McCall’s letter to the Senate regarding this issue, please click HERE Tell Your U.S. Senators to Bring the Social Security Fairness Act to a Vote!Click HERE (usw.to/56n) to send a prewritten email to your Senators to urge them to bring H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, to a vote before the end of the 118th Congress.You can also call them and be directly connected by using our toll-free number below. Tell them who you are, where you are from, and to support H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act.Senate Toll-Free Number: 1-877-607-0785(Remember to make two calls to be connected with both your Senators.)     — Dec 3