-
USW Endorses Kamala Harris for President Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, (412) 562-2444, [email protected] (PITTSBURGH) – The United Steelworkers (USW) union today proudly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. “When our union endorses a candidate, we first and foremost consider their values, and even more importantly, how they put those values into action,” said USW International President David McCall. “And Vice President Harris is a crucial part of the most pro-labor administration of our lifetimes, backing innumerable initiatives to help advance the interests of working families.” McCall pointed to Harris’ strong record of delivering for workers during her time in office, noting that the USW enthusiastically endorsed her twice before as a vice presidential candidate. “Vice President Harris cast the critical, tie-breaking vote when it came to securing more than a million workers’ pensions, including those of 120,000 USW members,” said McCall. “She also was essential in the administration’s efforts to return the National Labor Relations Board to its mission of empowering working people, rather than serving the interests of wealthy corporations,” McCall said. “And her efforts chairing the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment are proving to be an essential part of the administration’s goal of helping more workers realize the benefits of union membership.” These include more than 1,500 workers at bus manufacturer Blue Bird Corp. in Fort Valley, Ga., who now know the power of a union contract after voting in May 2023 to join the USW. “Kamala Harris listens to working people, she understands their concerns, and she works hard to address those issues head-on, with real results,” McCall said. “We need to look no further than the fact that she has been instrumental in the administration developing this nation’s first real industrial policy in decades. “Vice President Harris has been a true partner,” McCall said. “We look forward to continuing to work with her, and we are proud to give her our endorsement.” The USW represents 850,000 workers in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations. ### — Jul 22
-
USW Thanks Joe Biden for Exemplary Leadership Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, (412) 562-2444, [email protected] (PITTSBURGH) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall issued the following statement today after Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection, thanking the president for his unwavering commitment to advancing the interests of working families: “We are deeply grateful to President Joe Biden for his lifetime of service and especially for the past three and a half years as he navigated our nation out of a deadly pandemic and put us on a path to widespread, shared prosperity. “President Biden’s commitment to workers has never faltered. He promised that he would spearhead transformational infrastructure investments, develop a much-needed industrial policy, safeguard retirement security, strengthen workers’ access to collective bargaining, secure our broken supply chains and build healthier communities. “And on every one of these promises, he delivered. “Most importantly, President Biden continually sought to unify our nation, to represent the interests of all Americans, not just the wealthy few or the well connected. “Our union thanks Joe Biden for his exemplary leadership, and we vow to carry his mission forward as we work to build a brighter future for everyone.” The USW represents 850,000 workers in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations. ### — Jul 21
-
USW Reiterates Strong Support for Biden-Harris Reelection Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, [email protected] PITTSBURGH – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall today issued the following statement after the AFL-CIO executive board unanimously reaffirmed its commitment to reelecting President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris: “President Biden from his first day in office has been an unwavering ally in the fight for workers’ rights, advocating tirelessly for working families rather than corporate interests. “This includes the American Rescue Plan, which restored retirement security for more than a million workers, including 120,000 USW members, who stood to lose their pensions through no fault of their own. “The Biden-Harris administration also crucially paired transformative investments with a strong worker-centered trade policy to lay the foundation for the industrial policy our nation has long needed, fostering an environment in which our domestic industries can thrive and the jobs of the future are good, union jobs. “We need elected officials who share our values, and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have proven time and again that they prioritize working Americans. Looking to the future, the choice is clear: we need a second Biden-Harris term.” The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, mining, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service, public and health care sectors and higher education. For more information: www.usw.org. ### — Jul 11
-
USW Lauds Biden Administration for ‘Melted and Poured’ Trade Rules Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, [email protected] PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers union (USW) today commended the Biden administration’s proclamation strengthening rules for steel and aluminum to qualify for trade benefits between the United States and Mexico. The proclamation requires that steel be “melted and poured” in North America and aluminum be “smelted and cast” not in countries of concern to qualify for zero tariffs when traded between the two countries under the Section 232 relief measures. “President Biden’s actions today are yet another example of his support for domestic steel and aluminum workers,” said USW International President David McCall. “The president is helping to close loopholes in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that allowed for foreign steel and aluminum to enter the United States through Mexico without significant value being created in that country. “From infrastructure investments to Buy America enhancements to raising tariffs on China to direct investments in these industries to today’s proclamation, President Biden has a long record of support for steel and aluminum.” McCall said that global overcapacity and surging imports remain an ongoing concern and that the U.S. market continues to be a be a target for predatory and unfairly traded shipments of basic steel and aluminum products. “We’re grateful that the president takes this threat seriously and continues fighting to achieve a level playing field for American workers,” McCall said. The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, mining, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service, public and health care sectors and higher education. For more information: www.usw.org. ### — Jul 10
-
USW Welcomes Life-Saving OSHA Heat Standard Contact: Joe Smydo, [email protected], 412-562-2281United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall issued the following statement today praising the heat standard proposed by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). “President Joe Biden’s administration has come through for workers once again with groundbreaking protections for Americans exposed to deadly temperatures on the job. “OSHA’s proposed standard contains common-sense safeguards, including regular rest breaks and hydration, that will not only save lives but prevent countless illnesses and injuries. While unions regularly negotiate these kinds of protections for their members, the new standard would set a high national bar and expand coverage for millions more workers at a time when the country is experiencing record heat waves triggered by climate change. “Workers deserve to return home safely at the end of their shifts each day, and advancing the heat standard is the latest in a series of Biden administration actions to ensure that they do. Like the administration’s new ‘walkaround rule’ for workplace inspections and the new silica standard for miners, the heat standard represents a crucial victory for working families.” The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, mining, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service, public and health care sectors and higher education. For more information: www.usw.org. — Jul 2