United Steelworkers Press Releases Feed

  • Atomic Energy Workers Council maps strategies on health and safety, training programs at biannual meeting
    United Steelworkers (USW) representatives from atomic sites across the United States strategized on a number of topics, including funding opportunities, health and safety, workforce training programs and more at the Atomic Energy Workers Council (AEWC) biannual meeting Sept. 14-15 in Arlington, Va. USW International Vice President Roxanne Brown updated the council on current legislative and policy discussions relevant to the nuclear sector, including clean technology initiatives that present unique opportunities for job creation and development. “The moment we’re in is opportunity-rich,” said Brown. “If we do this moment right, our union will be a union that goes into the future. This is the industrial revolution of our time.” AEWC members met for their bi-annual meeting in the D.C. area this month. Fire safety, funding main concerns Council members had an opportunity to raise concerns from their worksites with the Department of Energy’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management William “Ike” White and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Avery, who visited the council on the second day of the AEWC meeting. Members from USW Local 12-9477 at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, N.M., flagged health and safety concerns related to firefighter training and electric vehicle storage at the plant, and delivered to White and Avery a letter requesting a joint union-management audit of the WIPP site’s health and safety emergency response plan.  The letter, signed by AEWC President Jim Key and Local 12-9477 President Jonathan Fuentes, reads in part, “The safety of USW members at WIPP is critically important, and we want to ensure that the emergency response aspect of the health and safety plan at WIPP meets the DOE expectations and regulations.” Other health and safety concerns came from AEWC Vice President and Local 12-652 President Matt Chavez, employed at the Idaho National Lab, who spoke about the detrimental effects of funding uncertainty on his co-workers.  “We’re concerned because we see the projected amount of funding is low, and it’s affecting our workforce,” said Chavez. “It’s hard keeping people focused on safety because they’re worried about if they’re going to have a job while waiting for funding to come in for these projects.”   Nuclear worker training exceeds goals Amidst these concerns, the meeting showcased the thriving progress of nuclear worker training programs under the purview of the United Steelworkers Tony Mazzocchi Center (USWTMC). Ashlee Fitch, the director of the USWTMC, and Fiona Galley, training coordinator for the USWTMC, presented updates on the successful training programs and pilot initiatives conducted for nuclear workers. They held 411 courses provided to 6,890 students, far exceeding the initial goal of 291 courses to 4,742 students for the period between August 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023.  The trainings included pilot programs such as HAZWOPER refresher and 40-hour courses and safety representative training. Additionally, the USWTMC offered crucial training in respiratory protection and other safety measures at the USW's Health and Safety Conference in April 2023. The USWTMC also celebrated the graduation of new Radiological Control Technician (RCT) cohorts at the Portsmouth, Ohio, site on Aug. 23 and in Paducah, Ky., on Sept. 26. Notably, the USW stands as the sole union authorized to offer RCT trainings.  Graduates of the Local 1-689 radiation control technician training course stand with their certificates of completion in Portsmouth, Ohio.   Spotlight on radiation and workers’ compensation  The council meeting agenda also included an overview of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) from Richard Miller, former House Education and Labor Committee staff, who presented a thorough history of the struggle to get workers’ compensation for radiation exposure to employees of nuclear facilities. USW Local 689 President Herman Potter of Portsmouth said the work is far from over to expand protections for the health and safety of workers in the nuclear sector.  “The bottom line is that we can’t stop fighting,” said Potter.  Brown thanked the council for its hard work over the two-day meeting and reflected on the safety issues and hazards that many in the atomic industry face.  “Every day the workers in this sector are putting your bodies on the line, and unfortunately, in many cases, you pay the consequences with your health. I have so much reverence and respect for you all, for what you do every single day,” said Brown.  “On behalf of our union, thank you for what you do, because you’re not just doing this for the sites, but for the communities you live in.” The atomic council will meet again in the spring of 2024.   — Sep 27
  • Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Thomas Conway
    Click here to read this statement on whitehouse.gov. President Joe Biden honors the life and legacy of our Tom Conway, who passed away Monday, Sept. 25, saying,
    With Tom Conway’s passing, American workers have lost an extraordinary champion, and I’ve lost a great friend. When I was running for President in 2020, Tom rode the train with me from Ohio to Pittsburgh, a city built by American steelworkers like those he spent his life fighting for. We talked on that train ride, as we did more times than I can count over the years, about what we could do together to make a real difference in the lives of steelworkers and union workers all over the country. Tom was someone I confided in. He had my absolute trust. I knew that if I was doing a good job, he’d tell me – and if I needed to do better, he’d tell me that, too. And no one knew more about the challenges that workers face. He knew the politics. He knew the ins and outs of policy. And he never lost sight of his values – dignity, respect, fairness, equality. As president of the United Steelworkers, Tom got up every day and fought to protect workers’ wages, pensions, and safety, and to make sure working people got a fair shot at a middle-class life. Because he grew up in a union household, he knew exactly what unions mean to workers and everyone who depends on them. And he put every ounce of his energy and intellect toward making sure American workers got the best possible deal, every time. No one out-worked him. No one out-bargained him. And while he was deeply kind and generous, he also never backed down from a fight.    Tom heard me say a thousand times – the middle class built America, and unions built the middle class. Well, Tom Conway helped build unions all across the country. He made our nation fairer. He made our nation stronger. And I will miss him dearly. Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the Conway family, including his longtime partner Carol, three sons, and six grandchildren, as well as all the Steelworkers whose hearts are heavy today. May God bless you, Tommy.
    — Sep 26
  • Steelworkers Join Labor-Friendly Lawmakers and Government Allies to Highlight Pro-Worker Policies
    Steelworkers will stand with those who share our core values, including collective bargaining, affordable health care, infrastructure, workplace health and safety, fair trade, and retirement security.  Recently, USW members joined allies to showcase progress on several of these core values. Health Care and Workplace Accommodations for Pregnant Workers  District 10 Women of Steel Coordinator and Sub-district 1 Director Kelly Weaver in late August joined U.S. Senator Bob Casey (Pa.) and representatives from Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh to highlight the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which recently went into effect.  The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires employers to make reasonable accommodations that will make it possible for pregnant workers to stay on the job, much as they would under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  “We had to fill this gap — you might even call it a loophole — that employers could exploit by forcing that pregnant worker to choose between their job and a healthy pregnancy,” said Casey. “No more.”  Explaining the law’s direct impact on workers, Weaver said, “having the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act become law is such a great benefit to pregnant workers everywhere. Instead of forcing pregnant workers out of work and onto an unpaid FMLA leave, now we can require employers to make minor accommodations such as having a chair to sit on, having an additional bathroom break, or having light duty. Pregnant workers will still be able to earn their full wages, take care of their families financially, and continue to have their benefits during this time, reducing the stress in an already stressful situation for some.” Infrastructure, Investments in Union Jobs On August 30, 2023, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited USW District 7 at the Gary, Ind., office. USW members from each major steel local in Northwest Indiana and District 7 staff had an informal meet-and-greet to discuss the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL) impact on the domestic steel industry.  Our union was instrumental in the passage of the law, especially the inclusion of strong Buy America requirements for federal projects. Buy America laws are a clear statement by our government that U.S. workers should get the first chance to make the iron, steel, manufactured products, and other construction materials purchased with tax dollars.  Specifically, Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor produces the plate used in bridges. USW members at Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor melted and poured all the steel needed for the I95 bridge repair in Philadelphia within three days.  Fair Trade and Organizing  Key allies from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in recent weeks joined USW members in Pittsburgh to highlight the importance of fair trade and discuss strategies for organizing more workers into our growing labor movement.  Leaders from USW District 10 and our union’s Women of Steel (WOS) program hosted several USTR representatives for a tour of U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thompson facility in Braddock, Pa., followed by a discussion at USW Headquarters that touched a variety of topics including trade, collective bargaining, and strategies to protect women and members of the LGBTQI+ community from workplace discrimination, and more. Additionally, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su met with our officers at the USW’s Headquarters on Labor Day and then held a roundtable discussion with workers who were involved in organizing campaigns in the region as well as staff from various unions.  Those in attendance shared stories about challenges they’ve faced when organizing and how private corporations, universities, and non-profits alike employ anti-union tactics. Su assumed the office of Acting Labor Secretary in March, 2023 after President Joe Biden nominated her. She served as the California Labor Secretary from 2019 to 2021, and California Labor Commissioner from 2011 to 2018, overseeing the state’s Division of Labor Standards and Enforcement.  Her relationship with the USW dates back to our effort to help car wash workers organize in California in the early 2000s. — Sep 25
  • Government Shutdown: What Does That Mean for You and Me?
    Click Here to download a printable version of this action call. Every year, Congress must pass and the President must sign funding legislation for the next fiscal year (FY), which consists of twelve appropriations bills. These bills allow federal departments and agencies to withdraw money from the U.S. Treasury for certain activities and services. Unfortunately, Congress has not yet enacted any of the twelve for FY 2024. Each fiscal year begins on October 1. This means the clock is ticking and lawmakers have until midnight on September 30 to pass legislation or the government will shut down.  What is a Government Shutdown?  In a shutdown, federal agencies must discontinue all non-essential discretionary functions until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law. Shutdowns have far-reaching and detrimental consequences for American workers. A government shutdown is not a cost savings measure, in fact, it’s the very opposite.  What is Impacted Should a Shutdown Occur?  • Our Economy: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown reduced Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by a total of $11 billion, including $3 billion that will never be recovered. A 2019 Senate report found that the three government shutdowns in 2013, 2018, and 2019 cost taxpayers nearly $4 billion. • Social Security and Medicare: Social Security checks are sent out, but benefit verification and card issuance would cease. Medicare coverage would continue; however, staff overseeing the program will work without pay. • Transportation: Air travel is strained as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are limited and work without pay. There will be longer wait lines and increased flight cancellations. • Veteran Services: All medical facilities and clinics through the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) will remain fully operational. However, VA call centers and hotlines cease to function, and the Veterans Benefits Administration public contact services are not available. • Our Military: Military personnel on active duty, including reserve component personnel on federal active duty, will continue to report for duty and carry out assigned duties without pay. • Public Health: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, commonly referred to as the CDC, has to greatly curtail its activities to conduct flu season surveillance and monitoring, support state and local health departments, and update disease treatment and prevention recommendations. • Trade Enforcement: All Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD) cases and administrative trade reviews cease – leaving bad actors, such as China, to import illegal dumped and subsidized goods. • Worker Safety: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will continue to monitor and respond to workplace emergencies, but any previously planned or random inspection will likely not occur.  The federal investments made by appropriations legislation are the lifeline of our states, counties, cities and towns that ensure the availability of vital services for workers, retirees, our families, and our communities. Averting a government shutdown will prevent significant repercussions on our nation’s economy and the welfare of every individual. United Steelworkers urge a swift bipartisan agreement before the September 30, 2023 deadline.  Stay tuned to Rapid Response in the coming days to see how you can help keep our priorities intact!  — Sep 20
  • The Power of Our Union
    Vern Beck of Local 12775 was at the Indiana State House for a rally in support of teachers when he learned that lawmakers were debating a bill that would help members of his local.  When he took a detour to listen to legislators, Beck found an official with Northern Indiana Public Service Co., which employs Local 12775 members. He convinced company executives to pay for USW Rapid Response activists to travel to the capitol, where they convinced two lawmakers to change their stances on the bill, which passed out of committee by one vote. “That is the power of our union,” International Vice President David McCall told the 700 USW member activists who traveled to Washington, D.C., in June for the Rapid Response, Legislative and Policy Conference. “This work is critical to keeping our facilities operating and our members on the job.” It was the union’s largest gathering of Rapid Response activists and coordinators in a decade. Rapid Response is the USW’s nonpartisan education, communication, and action program. Through the union’s grassroots, nationwide network of activists, it provides members a powerful voice in government decisions in Washington, D.C., in state houses, and in cities and towns across the country. For nearly 30 years, activists in the program have made calls, written letters and visited with officials to lobby for pro-worker initiatives. “Rapid Response,” program Director Amber Miller said, “is a direct reflection of the union’s core values.” Four-Year Hiatus While the 2023 Rapid Response conference was the first in-person meeting for the activists since October 2019, McCall and other USW leaders reminded members that, even though Covid prevented them from gathering, their important work never stopped. In fact, the first day of the event was largely a celebration of several years of USW-led wins. Beck’s effort on behalf of Local 12775 was just one of scores of victories union activists achieved since their last in-person meeting. Since then, members successfully fought to preserve retirement security, secure more affordable health care, protect workers’ rights, ensure fair trade, and enact a host of other policies, while pushing back against attacks on workers that would result in plant closures or jobs shipped overseas. Secretary-Treasurer John Shinn rattled off a long list of those victories, which included passage of the Butch-Lewis bill that secured the pensions of more than a million workers and retirees, including more than 100,000 USW members. Other victories included passage of crucial COVID relief bills, the Biden administration’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure and jobs plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS Act, which provided support for U.S. production of semiconductors and other technology vital to domestic supply chains. “These things didn’t happen by accident,” Shinn told the crowd. “They happened because of the hard work of people in this room, and the hard work of the members of this union.” Local, State Victories The USW’s wins on a national scale helped to support the USW’s core values - including creating good jobs, safeguarding workers’ rights, improving health care, and preserving retirement security for  American families. Members also fought at the state and local level to ensure safe staffing in hospitals, support military veterans, pass “Buy America” laws, preserve organizing rights, and other important efforts. International Vice President Roxanne Brown congratulated USW members in Michigan for their push earlier this year in overturning a so-called “right to work” law meant to crush unions by starving them of funds. In other states, including Montana, members successfully blocked passage of the same type of union-busting laws. “We have a lot of wins,” Brown said. “But we have a lot more fights ahead of us.” Those fights include pushing for passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would remove barriers to union organizing and increase penalties against union-busting employers, as well as the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act, which would modernize the nation’s trade laws and provide new tools for workers to fight illegal imports. Both pieces of legislation have bipartisan support and were centerpieces of USW members’ conversations with their representatives on Capitol Hill, which took place on the third and final day of the conference. Buril Smith of Local 9231 in New Carlisle, Ind., said he has attended about 20 Rapid Response conferences and he’s still awed each time by the history on display in Washington, D.C. “But you have to remember, this is our house,” Smith said. “This is our city, this is our town.” On a rainy morning as they prepared to head to the Capitol to remind their lawmakers of that fact, USW members received a series of rallying cries from AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer and former USW leader Fred Redmond, along with a dozen labor-friendly members of Congress, about the importance of their lobbying mission. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman said that he owes his career to the Steelworkers, who provided him with his first endorsement. “I’ve carried it with me as a badge of honor ever since,” said the Pennsylvania Democrat, whose home sits across the street from U.S. Steel’sEdgar Thomson Works. “You have a friend with an unflinching devotion to your union.” Capitol Office Visits Dustin Hardisty, of Local 712 in Lewiston, Idaho, works as a bleach operator for Clearwater Paper. He was making his first visit to Capitol Hill as a Rapid Response activist, knowing that he might not always find a friendly ear from his lawmakers. “I’m hoping they will keep an open mind, especially about trade,” Hardisty said as he made his way to lawmakers’ offices. The 11-year USW member was the only activist to make the trip from Idaho, but said he quickly connected with other members from around the country. “It’s awesome,” Hardisty said of watching 700 Steelworkers march to Capitol Hill to fight for workers rights. “It makes you feel less alone.” Fair Trade Fight The issue of trade dominated the second day of the conference, with speakers and panel discussions that emphasized the importance of the USW’s vigilance on unfair imports, both for workers and for the communities in which they live. U.S. House members Frank Mrvan, a Democrat from Indiana, and Bill Johnson, a Republican from Ohio, led a discussion on the subject, and agreed that passing the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 bill was a priority for them and others in the 100-member Congressional Steel Caucus. “China has disadvantaged American workers,” Johnson said. “That is apparent no more so than in the steel industry.” Craig McKey of Local 1899 in Granite City, Ill., said hundreds of members at his U.S. Steel facility have seen the effects of unfair trade first hand over the past two decades. He said that current U.S. trade laws – which require petitioners to prove injury to workers before the government can impose remedies – are badly in need of an update. “The hardship is already there before they can take any action,” McKey said. In-Person Advantage The fact that the conference took place in person for the first time in four years provided an opportunity for Chris Frydenger of Local 7-838 in Illinois and Jill Stough of Local 7248 in Ohio. It was the first time the pair met face to face, despite the fact that their employers’ and their locals’ fortunes are deeply intertwined. Frydenger and his co-workers at Mueller Co. make fire hydrants and other water-distribution products. Their facility utilizes raw materials provided by Stough’s employer, Wieland Chase. In turn, Mueller ships scrap metal back to Weiland Chase, where it is melted down and re-used. “Our orders drive their orders,” Frydenger said. “They’re not successful without us, and we’re not successful without them.” Over the years, pressures from unfair imports have threatened jobs at both locations, but Rapid Response activism on that issue, as well as the push for infrastructure investments and “Made in America” policies, has helped ensure that workers at both sites have bright futures. “That has helped us tremendously,” Stough said of the USW’s work. “Through the years, we have struggled due to dumping.” Positive Public Opinion In the days before they headed to the U.S. Capitol, members took part in training sessions, workshops and discussions aimed at sharpening their lobbying skills and arming them with information to support their work. Shinn made sure members knew that support for unions among American workers is at an all-time high, and that they should use that information when arguing for the PRO Act. Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, a partnership between the USW and employers, which advocates for “Buy America” policies and manufacturing jobs, told members that they were heading to Capitol Hill with public opinion squarely on their side. Scott shared statistics from a recent poll that showed that nearly 80 percent of American voters support “Buy America” laws, and nearly 90 percent support cracking down on unfair trade. “They work for you,” Paul reminded members about their representatives in Congress. “You put them there. You are the strength of America.” Pro-Union Policies Jeff Vance, of Local 1155L at Bridgestone Tire in Tennessee, said that the strength of the nation’s pro-worker policies goes hand in hand with his and other USW members’ success in bargaining and organizing. “I strongly believe in representing my local and trying to get the best for my local,” Vance said. “I know that has to be done through legislation.” — Sep 19