United Steelworkers Press Releases Feed

  • Labor Rallied Against Right-to-Work in New Hampshire!
    Click here to download this Feedback Report as a PDF. Despite the -10° temperatures on Wednesday, nearly 200 labor supporters turned out to protest HB 238-FN, the “Right-to-Work” bill in New Hampshire. In addition to the rally, over 1,400 individuals registered their opposition. These impressive actions are thanks to your efforts! Due to the large volume of testimonies submitted, the House Labor Committee has postponed their vote on the bill, which is now set for Tuesday, January 28th at 10:00 AM. NEXT STEPS Prior to the House Labor Committee’s vote, a labor rally will be held. Details are below. WHEN: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM WHERE: 33 North State Street, Concord, NH 03301 NOTES: The rally will be held outside. For updates regarding the rally, please visit the Facebook Event Page. Stay tuned for more information following the House Labor Committee vote! For more information on this issue or how you can get more involved with Rapid Response, please contact District 4 Rapid Response Coordinator, Mark McDonald, at [email protected]. — Jan 27
  • District 4 Woman of Steel Susan Ridgeway’s unwavering commitment to justice
    This article is part of Women of Steel's "Sister Stories" series. Susan Ridgeway knows she has big shoes to fill as the USW Western New York Women of Steel Committee Chair. After long-time activist Cindy Marlow passed away in 2024 following a long, hard-fought battle with cancer, Susan stepped up to take on the role. Her 25 years of union experience has prepared her well, and her determination to make a change is helping her lead with dignity. She’s also accrued her strength while working in a male-dominated career at 3M in Buffalo, N.Y. Susan currently works as a crew lead in shipping and receiving, along with serving as the Local 13833 Civil and Human Rights Chair and as Griever for her department. Long story short, she wears many hats, and she has no plans of taking them off anytime soon. “I am unapologetically a steadfast activist,” Susan said. “I eat, sleep, and breathe this work.” Outside of the union, Susan is just as active. Her current focus is building up a mental health awareness center—CASSO—that is dedicated in honor of her late grandson. The goal of this organization is to help at-risk youth get off the streets and prepare them for job interviews. Susan’s commitment to the next generation–both union and nonunion–is currently driving her to do as much as she can to empower and uplift them. “They are being affected by so much,” she said. “It’s my desire to stay strong for them and help bring them up through the ranks.” Susan believes the key to connecting to younger people is simple: it’s all about communication. “We need to listen to them,” said Susan. “We need to be open and have real, nonjudgmental conversations.” She also believes this is the key to tackling the many challenges the labor movement is going to face over the next several years, especially in the realm of social and economic justice. “Civil rights are human rights,” she said. “It is our duty to acknowledge and include everyone in this movement. It’s about dignity.” Susan’s passion for justice was renewed at this year’s AFL-CIO MLK Civil and Human Rights Conference in Austin, Texas. She said connecting with her fellow union siblings is always energizing and enlightening, and it didn’t hurt that she was able to meet U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett. “Now that is a true Woman of Steel,” she said. Regardless of what happens in the coming years, and regardless of who is in power, Susan plans to continue her work with the union, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I feel a lot of gratitude for the USW and Women of Steel for allowing us the opportunity to network and be a part of so many different experiences,” she said. “I am so honored to be a part of it.” — Jan 25
  • Rapid Response Action Call: UTAH STEELWORKERS Help Protect Public Employees’ Bargaining Power!
    Click here to download this Action Alert as a PDF. Collective bargaining is a fundamental right that allows workers to have a voice in their working conditions, ensuring they are treated fairly and with respect. It helps secure better wages, benefits, and workplace safety. Unfortunately, in Utah, HB 267 was introduced to ban collective bargaining for public sector workers, including teachers, firefighters, transit drivers, and more. Without the ability to negotiate, these workers could face lower pay, fewer benefits, and less safe working conditions. Opposing HB 267 is essential to safeguarding workers' rights and preserving their ability to negotiate for better conditions and fair treatment. Tell Your State Representative to Oppose HB 267! Click HERE  to send a prewritten email to your Utah State Representatives to urge them to oppose HB 267 and protect public employees’ bargaining power! For more information on this issue or how you can get more involved with Rapid Response, please contact District 12 Rapid Response Coordinator, Catherine Houston, at [email protected]. — Jan 24
  • 260 Members at UP Health System Marquette Ratify First Contract
    After months of bargaining, approximately 260 USW health care workers at UP Health System– Marquette in Marquette, Mich., ratified their first contract in early January, winning historic wage increases, boosting on-call pay, securing much-needed safety protections, and more. Peggy Lindeman, a point of care coordinator at UPHS Marquette for 21 years, began talking to her colleagues about organizing in 2023 after noticing a steady decline in workplace culture, morale, and patient care following the hospital’s acquisition by Duke LifePoint in 2014.   Lindeman began organizing the professional and technical workers of the hospital, a unit she was excluded from that was ultimately organized by the Michigan nurses’ union. She called the USW for support as she started organizing her second bargaining unit of LPNs, Care Aides, lab assistants, payroll, IT, maintenance, office staff, and more. According to Lindeman, the hospital “is always training us to care for specific types of patients, but nobody was taking care of us. That was huge for me, finally getting our union and making sure that somebody had our back.” Lindeman says many of her colleagues are rightfully excited about the wage increases, but their first contract represents much more to her. “I’ve been here for 21 years, and to not have a voice or a say in how we drove process to get quality was huge,” she said. “We finally have a seat at the table for safety issues, which is also huge. With the union, we’re equals. They’re no longer the boss, and we’re down below. We’re equals, and that means something.” Additional contract highlights include a wage scale that recognizes seniority and provides guaranteed wage increases, capped annual health insurance premiums, shift differential, and a seat on the hospital’s Safety Committee. Average wage increases for year one of the contract are approximately 13.5 percent, and average increases over the life of the contract are roughly 20 percent. Negotiations were led by USW District 1 staff representative Bryan Fisher and were supported by Tamara Lefcowitz, International Coordinator of the Health Care Workers Council. The victory held additional significance for Fisher, as he was helping to change the lives of the dedicated health care workers in his own backyard. “UPHS Marquette is five blocks from my house,” said Fisher. “It’s the only Level 2 trauma center in the UP of Michigan. Our goal was always to attract and retain the best employees for Marquette residents. If I get taken to this hospital, these workers will care for me. I want a team of talented, fully-trained, well-compensated medical professionals administering care to our community.” — Jan 24
  • Rapid Response Action Call: You Have the Power to Defeat Right-to-Work in New Hampshire!
    Click here to download a printable PDF of this Action Call. Last week, we shared important information about House Bill 238-FN, the latest attempt to pass a "Right-to-Work" law in New Hampshire. Now, it’s time to take action. On January 22, 2025, the New Hampshire House Labor Committee will hold a public hearing on this harmful bill. We must stand together, make our voices heard, and oppose this attack on workers’ rights. Whether you live in New Hampshire or live in a surrounding state, let's show that New Hampshire will not let corporate interests undermine the power of working families. You Can Take Action in Two Powerful Ways! #1: Attend Labor Rally and Public Hearing! WHEN: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM WHERE: 33 North State Street, Concord, NH 03301 NOTES: The rally will be held outside. For updates regarding the rally, please visit the Facebook Event Page. Following the rally, the group will go to the public hearing together.   #2: Tell the New Hampshire House Labor Committee to oppose HB 238-FN! To register your position on a bill and/or submit testimony, click HERE. STEP 1: Personal Information
    • Fill in the content boxes with your first and last name, as well as your town, state, and email address.
    STEP 2: Select Date of the Hearing
    • Select 01/22/2025 on the calendar.
    STEP 3: Select Bill
    • For the "Select the Committee" tab, select House Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services.
    • For the “Choose the Bill" tab, select 10:00 AM - HB238.
    • For the "I am" tab, you will most likely select Member of the Public.
    • Fill in the "I'm Representing" context box with the business, organization, or group that you are representing. If you are representing yourself only, write myself.
    • Under the “Indicate Your Position on this Bill” tab, check the I Oppose this Bill circle.
    STEP 4: Upload Remote Testimony (Optional)
    • If you are unable to attend the hearing in person, but wish to submit testimony on the bill, you may upload your testimony or use the text box to type.
    STEP 5: Final Review
    • Once you have reviewed that the information entered is accurate, click the Submit button at the bottom of the webpage.
      For more information on this issue or how you can get more involved with Rapid Response, please contact District 4 Rapid Response Coordinator, Mark McDonald at [email protected].     — Jan 14