We are the United Steelworkers, North America’s largest industrial union. We’re 1.2 million members and retirees strong in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. We proudly represent men and women who work in nearly every industry there is.
Actuellement, notre Section locale subit progressivement des changements visant à redynamiser, engager et donner la priorité à nos membres. Cela fait longtemps que vous êtes nombreux à demander plus d’opportunités de mentorat et de développement de vos compétences d’activistes syndicaux. Les Dirigeants de notre Section locale ont pour priorité absolue de s’assurer que nos futurs leaders reçoivent les formations dont ils ont besoin.
En tant que Présidente, l’une de mes missions consiste à appointer des membres dès que notre Section locale se voit attribuer des places pour les cours offerts par le Syndicat. Le cas échéant, ces cours se déroulent conformément aux directives générales du Syndicat. La Section locale a récemment sollicité les chargés d’unités ainsi que les étudiants et diplômés du Programme de Perfectionnement en Leadership du District 3 afin de leur proposer de s’inscrire aux Cours d’été du District 3 “Facing Management” (faire face au patronat), “Leadership for Action” (leadership pour l’action), et “Advanced Grievance” (gestion avancée des griefs), ainsi qu’aux cours du District 3 pour devenir formateur. La Vice-présidente Donna Hokiro, le Secrétaire-trésorier Michael Phillips et moi-même avons examiné des dizaines de candidatures, et nous avons été ravis de constater le fort niveau d’intérêt, de compétence et de motivation manifesté par vos consœurs et confrères. Le formulaire de demande posait également des questions en vue d’obtenir des informations démographiques, ce afin de nous assurer que nos sélections encouragent la diversité et l’équité.
Je vous prie de vous joindre à moi pour féliciter les candidats qui participeront à ce nouveau cycle d’opportunités éducatives :
Cory Anderson – Unité 202 Josh Babstock – Unité 204 Elana Felty – Unité 51 Darrin Graw – Unité 34 Pam Garding-Smith – Unité 203 Alina Gherghinoiu – Unité 51 Karen Hannah-Masse – Unité 207 Paul Hutchinson – Unité 203 Ryan Johnston – Unité 51 Kandis Kiland – Unité 26 Laura Rincon – Unité 213 Len Specht – Unité 7 Gigi Wojdyga – Unité 213 Rachel Worley – Unité 4 David Skrober – Dirigeant exécutif régional de l’Alberta
Afin de veiller à ce que tous les membres bénéficient des connaissances acquises par ces activistes au cours de leurs formations, je leur ai demandé de soumettre un rapport sur leurs nouvelles connaissances et leurs impressions générales sur leurs expériences. Le but est de rendre les connaissances accessibles à chacun d’entre vous, ce pour une meilleure compréhension générale des activités passionnantes auxquelles notre Section locale peut vous permettre de participer. La transparence et la communication sont des valeurs qui nous sont importantes.
À mesure que d’autres formations seront disponibles à travers le pays, il me fera plaisir de continuer à fournir à chacun d’...
Our Local Union is undergoing progressive changes aimed at reinvigorating, prioritizing, and engaging our membership. For quite some time, many of you have been asking for more opportunities to be mentored or further develop your skills as activists. Ensuring our future leaders receive the education they need is a top priority for our Local’s Officers.
As President, part of my role is to make appointments for spaces made available to our Local in courses being offered by our Union, and these are conducted in accordance with the overall Union’s guidelines where applicable. The Local recently canvassed Unit Officials and Leadership Development Students and graduates from within District 3 to apply to participate in the District 3 Summer School “Facing Management”, “Leadership for Action”, and “Advanced Grievance” courses, as well as the District 3 Facilitator Training. Vice-President Donna Hokiro, Secretary-Treasurer Michael Phillips and I reviewed dozens of applications, and were overjoyed to see the level of interest, skill, and commitment displayed by your fellow members. The application form also solicited demographical information to ensure we provide opportunities to promote diversity and equity in our selections.
Please join me in congratulating the following applicants who will be participating in this latest round of educational opportunities: Cory Anderson – Unit 202 Josh Babstock – Unit 204 Elana Felty – Unit 51 Darrin Graw – Unit 34 Pam Garding-Smith – Unit 203 Alina Gherghinoiu – Unit 51 Karen Hannah-Masse – Unit 207 Paul Hutchinson – Unit 203 Ryan Johnston – Unit 51 Kandis Kiland – Unit 26 Laura Rincon – Unit 213 Len Specht – Unit 7 Gigi Wojdyga – Unit 213 Rachel Worley – Unit 4 David Skrober – Regional Executive Officer – Alberta
In order to ensure all members like you benefit from the knowledge gained by these activists in their courses, I have asked each of them to submit a short report regarding what they learned and general commentary about their experience. The intention is to make this compiled information accessible to each of you in order to promote a better general understanding of all the exciting activities our Local participates in and are available to you. Transparency and communication are values we promote.
As other courses become available in different parts of the country, it will be my pleasure to continue to provide each of you with more detailed communications about what we are doing to make sure you have a chance to participate. This Local is yours; I work for you, as all Officers do, and I strongly believe you should know what we do in our efforts to represent your best interests. In the near future, you will be receiving more information about opportunities on our revamped Local Committees; stay tuned!
Open Enrollment season is finally here. But there is a twist this year, one that can help keep some money in your bank account. OR you could end up paying a lot more for your medical coverage.
Here’s the deal: If you haven’t used tobacco products for at least six months or have successfully completed a tobacco cessation program, you qualify for the tobacco-free discount that saves you $660 a year on your new medical insurance premium. BUT you MUST update your status as “tobacco-free” to get the discount. If you don’t take action, $12.69 per paycheck will be taken for your medical insurance, starting July 1. That’s $660 a year, money you could use for car repairs or a much-needed vacation.
Begin by logging into your UPoint account from www.hiibenefits.com or call the Huntington Ingalls Benefits Center (HIBC) at 1-877-216-3222 to get help. You can also get assistance at the Local 8888 union hall. Just stop by.
Mary Jackson continues to get her due. The late trailblazing engineer and mother-in-law of Local 8888 Trustee Raymond Lewis was honored at a special reception in the U.S. Capitol building in April for her pioneering contributions to America’s space program. The event, which marked Women’s History Month, had previously honored First Lady (forever) Michelle Obama. Brother Lewis accompanied Carolyn Lewis, his wife and daughter of Ms. Jackson whose remarkable story was told in the hit movie “Hidden Figures.”
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[]Mary Jackson continues to get her due. The late trailblazing engineer and mother-in-law of Local 8888 Trustee Raymond Lewis was honored at a special reception in the U.S. Capitol building in April for her pioneering contributions to America’s space program. The event, which marked Women’s History Month, had previously honored First Lady (forever) Michelle Obama. Brother Lewis accompanied Carolyn Lewis, his wife and daughter of Ms. Jackson whose remarkable story was told in the hit movie “Hidden Figures.”
In 2017, Local 8888 led a petition drive that convinced the City of Hampton to rename a new neighborhood center for Ms. Jackson, who passed away in 2005. Even in her hometown, she did not have a public building or street named in her honor. The new Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center is in the design phase, according to Hampton City Manager Mary Bunting. Local 8888 and residents in the Olde Hampton neighborhood, where Ms. Jackson grew up, will get a preview of the proposed design before one is selected for the $3.5 million project.
In 2017, Local 8888 led a petition drive that convinced the City of Hampton to rename a new neighborhood center for Ms. Jackson, who passed away in 2005. Even in her hometown, she did not have a public building or street named in her honor. The new Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center is in the design phase, according to Hampton City Manager Mary Bunting. Local 8888 and residents in the Olde Hampton neighborhood, where Ms. Jackson grew up, will get a preview of the proposed design before one is selected for the $3.5 million project.
Mary Jackson continues to get her due. The late trailblazing engineer and mother-in-law of Local 8888 Trustee Raymond Lewis was honored at a special reception in the U.S. Capitol building in April for her pioneering contributions to America’s space program. The event, which marked Women’s History Month, had previously honored First Lady (forever) Michelle Obama. Brother Lewis accompanied Carolyn Lewis, his wife and daughter of Ms. Jackson whose remarkable story was told in the hit movie “Hidden Figures.”
In 2017, Local 8888 led a petition drive that convinced the City of Hampton to rename a new neighborhood center for Ms. Jackson, who passed away in 2005. Even in her hometown, she did not have a public building or street named in her honor. The new Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center is in the design phase, according to Hampton City Manager Mary Bunting. Local 8888 and residents in the Olde Hampton neighborhood, where Ms. Jackson grew up, will get a preview of the proposed design before one is selected for the $3.5 million project.
USW Local 8888 held a ceremony to commemorate April 28th as Workers Memorial Day, the special day dedicated annually to remembering those who have suffered or died on the job. Local 8888’s tribute included a wreath-laying ceremony, the lowering of the American flag to half-staff at the union hall as well as the reading of names of those who have died on the job.
Local 8888 President Charles Spivey and other guest speakers stressed the need to take action and be vocal about safe jobs for all American workers. Workers Memorial Day is observed on April 28th every year because Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act on April 28, 1971. OSHA promised every worker the right to a safe job.
Everybody under 45 knows that Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar rule the world of hip hop, right? Local 8888 President Spivey might be on the outskirts of hip hop music, but he’s woke enough to recognize the challenge of connecting young workers with a catchy message to register and vote.
Spivey said the union knows connecting with young people in the shipyard is key to boosting Local 8888’s political influence. “We face the challenge of creating an effective outreach program that spans generations. Something that could, say, appeal to Kendrick Lamar fans as well as Frankie Beverly fans,” Spivey said with a laugh.
To grab the attention of millennials, Local 8888 participated in a new video that features LA-based hip hop artist Xela and cameo appearances by Local 8888 representatives. The video will be circulated on all of Local 8888’s social media to engage younger members who follow conscious hip hop rappers. [It is also be available on Spotify, YouTube and other online sites.]
Spivey says the hip hop video gives the local a new, creative tool to spark awareness in a generation of voters that responds to visual appeals. “We’ve got to move the needle with young folks,” he declared. “Our message must connect in the language and values of hip hop voters. I believe we’re off to a good start. We’ve got time to get this right.”
Spivey said he also sees an opportunity to get more young Steelworkers involved in the local’s political operation. “We are going through an important transition. New folks are coming into the yard every day, while many of our seasoned political activists are near retirement,” he said. “They will take a lot of valuable political knowledge and campaign experience with them. So, we want to begin now to recruit and train a new generation of Local 8888 activists who can impact future elections.”
*Please note that this meeting is able to be attended remotely (eg. from home) by Zoom web conferencing on your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Instructions and the link to attend will be sent to Unit members shortly*
Regular Order of Business
15 minute presentation on "Union Savings", a program offering exclusive discounts for union members and their families, to be given by Freeyelle Mehari who will call in by Zoom web conferencing
*Please note that this meeting is able to be attended remotely (eg. from home) by Zoom web conferencing on your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Instructions and the link to attend will be sent to Unit members shortly*
Regular Order of Business
15 minute presentation on "Union Savings", a program offering exclusive discounts for union members and their families, to be given by Freeyelle Mehari who will call in by Zoom web conferencing
*Please note that this meeting is able to be attended remotely (eg. from home) by Zoom web conferencing on your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Instructions and the link to attend will be sent to Unit members shortly*
Regular Order of Business
15 minute presentation on "Union Savings", a program offering exclusive discounts for union members and their families, to be given by Freeyelle Mehari who will call in by Zoom web conferencing
*Please note that this meeting is able to be attended remotely (eg. from home) by Zoom web conferencing on your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Instructions and the link to attend will be sent to Unit members shortly*
Regular Order of Business
15 minute presentation on "Union Savings", a program offering exclusive discounts for union members and their families, to be given by Freeyelle Mehari who will call in by Zoom web conferencing
*Please note that this meeting is able to be attended remotely (eg. from home) by Zoom web conferencing on your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Instructions and the link to attend will be sent to Unit members shortly*
Regular Order of Business
15 minute presentation on "Union Savings", a program offering exclusive discounts for union members and their families, to be given by Freeyelle Mehari who will call in by Zoom web conferencing
Mother's Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world, and Mother's Day 2019 occurs on Sunday, May 12, in the United States. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother's Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards and other gifts.
The USW Local 897 would like to say thanks to the most important women of them all-- our mothers.