United Steelworkers: District 8 News

USW Study Warns Public about Dangers of Hydrofluoric Acid Use in Refinery Alkylation Process to Produce Clean-Burning Gasoline

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

More than 26 million are at risk of a Hydrofluoric Acid Release

A United Steelworkers (USW) study released today—“A Risk Too Great, Hydrofluoric Acid in U.S. Refineries”—warns that refiners that use hydrofluoric acid (HF) in their alkylation process to make clean-burning gasoline do not have adequate safety systems in place and are not prepared to handle a release.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulate HF as a highly toxic chemical. Exposure to HF can cause deep severe burns and damage the eyes, skin, nose, throat and respiratory system. The fluoride ion enters the body through a burn or by the lungs and can cause internal damage throughout the body. At high enough exposures, HF can kill.

If released into the atmosphere, HF rapidly forms a dense vapor cloud that hovers near land and can travel long distances. HF releases from U.S. refineries range from three to 25 miles, depending on the amount stored. More than 26 million people live within this range, many in urban areas such as Philadelphia, Memphis, Salt Lake City and Houston that are impossible to evacuate quickly should there be a major HF release. No other chemical process puts as many people at risk ... more

Steelworkers Ratify Three-Year Contract with ARH

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the union has ratified a three-year contract with Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) covering about 2,200 hourly employees at nine locations in Southeastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia.

The union said that it is pleased to have reached a fair agreement with ARH and that the contract includes meaningful cash payments for workers while maintaining reasonable employee contributions to cover the cost of their health insurance benefits ... more

Members of USW Local 8888 Ratify New Contract that Bucks National Trend on Workers' Health Care Costs

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Long-term Pact with Owner of Newport News Shipbuilding Passes by 9 to1 Margin

The United Steelworkers (USW) Local 8888 in Newport News, Va., overwhelmingly ratified a new collective bargaining agreement this morning. The 52-month contract with Huntington Ingalls Industries, the parent company of Newport News Shipbuilding, passed by an overwhelming 9 to 1 margin. It covers some 11,000 employees.

The pact delivers wage increases of 14.2 percent on average; contains over $16,400 in new money per worker over the life of the agreement – not counting overtime and other wage additives; reduces employees’ health care insurance premiums by 15 percent; increases the minimum monthly pension benefit from $1,350 to $1,450 on August 1, 2013 and then to $1,550 on August 1, 2015; and, bolsters promotional opportunities and increases personal leave time for employees.

USW International Vice President Fred Redmond, who was Local 8888’s chief negotiator, said what the union accomplished at the bargaining table was even more remarkable in the volatile political climate of sequester budget cuts and the pending expiration of the temporary measure that funds federal agencies, including the Department of Navy ... more

USW Opposes End of Maryland Tax Credits for Carbon-Neutral Renewable Biofuel

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0600

The United Steelworkers Union (USW) says that proposed state legislation to end Maryland’s biofuel credit could increase pollution and fuel costs, suppress development of renewable fuels and lead to massive job loss.

Maryland House Bill 1102 and Senate Bill 684, if passed, would redefine renewable energy to exclude “black liquor”—a byproduct of the pulping process in the manufacture of paper—as a biofuel. This would eliminate the payments that paper companies currently receive from Maryland utilities for selling renewable-energy credits to them. Maryland adopted a renewable energy law in 2005 that requires utilities to buy certain minimum percentages of their electricity from renewable sources. Washington, D.C. has a virtually identical law known as the renewable portfolio standard law.

Paper companies use the spent pulping liquor, which includes bark and unused wood chips leftover from the pulping process, as fuel so that the material does not go into landfills or water. This biomass fuel is carbon-neutral because the trees that are planted for every tree brought into a mill absorb more carbon dioxide than the mill emits when it uses this biofuel ... more

In Newport News Shipyard, Looming Budget Cuts Create Anxiety and Anger

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0600

Michael Laris for Washington Post

As President Obama returned from a Florida golfing trip and Congress was on a Presidents’ Day break last week, Tommy Bassett, a nuclear machinist, was applying for a backup job at Lowe’s.

The carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was supposed to arrive at the massive shipyard here on Valentine’s Day for a multibillion-dollar overhaul that would take years and provide Bassett and some of the other 21,000 shipyard employees with steady work. But the budget deadlock in Washington prompted the Navy to delay the project. For how long, no one seems to know. Whether layoffs are coming — no one seems to know that, either.

Bassett is too anxious to wait to find out. His wife is having their first child in April, and she had to stop working for medical reasons. “If the budget doesn’t come in, they don’t have money for us,” Bassett said. “I haven’t told her yet . . . I didn’t want her to worry.” ...more

We Support House Bill 211 to Save Kentucky Jobs

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0600

On February 14, 2013, District 8 Director Billy Thompson lead United Steelworkers (USW) members from Locals 9443 and 9423 at the Kentucky State Capitol in support of legislation that would allow Aluminum producers Century and Alcan to purchase electric power on the open market and secure the viability of those facilities.

HB 211/SB 71 would allow two western Kentucky aluminum smelters to buy electricity from third parties rather than from Big Rivers Electric Corp.

If HB 211/SB 71 is passed, the bill would ensure continued smelter operation and protect 700 jobs.

Steelworkers Ratify First Time Contract with Golden Living Center-Glasgow

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0600

On February 5, 2013, approximately 6 months after “saying yes to Union,” the recently organized United Steelworker members at Golden Living Center-Glasgow ratified a first time contract. These new members will be an amalgamated unit and part of USW Local 12625. The contract covers 13 LPN’s at the Golden Living Center located in Glasgow, WV.

USW Staff Representative, Heather Anderson, states that the agreement provides wage increases and other economic improvements, as well as containing some strong contract language that will help to protect bargaining unit jobs. The negotiations resulted in the bargaining unit employees being able to keep their VHS (Vacation, Holiday/Personal Days, and Sick Days) plan instead of the PTO (Paid Time Off) plan that the Company was proposing. Healthcare coverage/insurance remained the same.

USW District 8 Director, Ernest “Billy” Thompson, welcomes the new members into District 8 and looks forward to servicing them for many years to come.

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USW Local 4842 Members Quick Action Save Co-Workers Life

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0600

Early in January, Centre Foundry worker David Zdonczyk fell to floor as he was cleaning up at the end of his shift. Three United Steelworker (USW) co-workers jumped into action with life saving CPR and calls for 911 assistance. Company officials credit the safety and training courses for their quick response. USW members, Don Waddell, Carl Miller and Gary Johnson were honored for saving Zdonczyk's life.

WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Video: Comprehensive immigration reform might be shot in the arm organized labor needs

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0600

What would immigration reform mean for the labor movement? Ed Schultz asks Leo Gerard of the United Steelworkers if labor will help push immigration reform across the line. (The Ed Show)

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

King Legacy Inspires Local 8888 Contract Negotiations

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0600

They wore the faces of weathered but resilient shipbuilders, men and women serious about their business of securing “the best contract for the best shipbuilders in America.” USW Local 8888 members packed their union hall in Newport News, VA, for a rally on Jan. 15 – the birthdate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – where leaders of their bargaining team gave their first contract update and praised Dr. King’s legacy of supporting collective bargaining for all workers.

Local 8888 President Arnold Outlaw said the 8,000-member union of shipbuilders consciously chose to honor Dr. King’s birthdate (he would have been 84 years old) and to recognize the black sanitation workers in Memphis, TN, whose strike for union recognition in 1968 drew the civil rights leader’s attention and later led to his tragic death.

""The rallying slogan of those courageous strikers,” said Outlaw, “was ‘I AM A MAN,’ which, in the South, was a defiant declaration of dignity and solidarity. The first sticker slogan for our 2013 contract campaign, “I AM UNION POWER,” means that each individual union member represents our collective power.”

USW International Vice President Fred Redmond, who leads Local 8888’s negotiations team, delivered a spirited bargaining report that was well-received. VP Redmond told his hushed audience that while Local 8888 negotiators and representatives for Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding were still in the “early stages” of talks, the union had clearly laid out its top priorities – pay raises, fair promotions, caps on rising health care costs and pension improvements.

“This is not going to be an easy lift,” Redmond said. “But it wasn’t easy either for the workers whom Dr. King sacrificed his life for. We can prevail at the bargaining table if our solidarity grows stronger in the shipyard and with our allies in the community.” The current collective bargaining agreement expires March 10, 2013

Dwight Kirk, Local 8888 Media Spokesman

Kentucky Hospital Workers Reach Settlement After 15-Year Struggle

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0600

Almost 15 years after joining the United Steelworkers (USW), 200 workers at Kentucky River Medical Center (KRMC) in Jackson, Ky., reached a tentative agreement on a contract with the hospital’s owners.

The workers voted in May of 1998 to join the USW, but union-busting tactics employed by the KRMC’s owners, Tennessee-based health care giant Community Health Systems (CHS), resulted in more than a decade of delays.

Over the years, the company refused to bargain in good faith, fired workers for union activity, brought in replacements, unilaterally changed conditions of employment, and committed numerous other infractions. Even when they lost court cases, KRMC often refused to abide by the orders and appealed the decisions.

In 2011, the hospital was found to be in contempt and ordered back to the bargaining table under one of the strictest orders in the history of the National Labor Relations Board. Almost all of the fired workers were reinstated, and the company was forced to pay nearly $750,000 in back wages ... more

Steelworkers Ratify Agreement with Kentucky Electric Steel

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0600

The members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 7054 ratified a new contract with Kentucky Electric Steel in a vote conducted on Wed., Dec. 12, 2012. The contract covers 117 hourly personnel at the company’s mini-mill near Ashland, Ky.

The new agreement provides major economic improvements, including a signing bonus, wage increases, and improving matching contributions to employee 401(k) participants up to 8% maximum, among others. The union preserved its existing health insurance coverage and expanded benefits to include vision coverage for workers and their dependents.

The USW also won benefit improvements and strengthened contract language provisions that protect workers’ earnings when they are assigned to fill temporary vacancies on another job and restricts the use of outside contractors with language specifying that if current bargaining unit work is performed, product produced and/or inventory stored within a 50-mile radius of the facility, the work will be done by members of USW Local 7054.

Women of Steel: Honoring Our Past - Protecting Our Future"

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0600

United Steelworkers International Women’s Conference

As our Union continues in its proud tradition of leading the way on major issues affecting workers around the world and in the countries where our members live and work, International President Leo W. Gerard announced the next USW International Women’s Conference, “Women of Steel: Honoring Our Past - Protecting Our Future.” This Conference will focus on skills enhancement, global solidarity and strengthening the labor movement, all of which contribute to your local union’s capacity to better serve the membership, influence politics and legislation, and strengthen the labor movement as a whole.

The 2013 USW International Women’s Conference will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown beginning at noon on Sunday, March 10 and will conclude on Wednesday, March 13.

Click Here for more information

NEW VIDEO: USW Election 2012 Recap, Thank You

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0600

In 2012, USW activists from across the nation led a successful boots-on-the-ground campaign to re-elect President Obama and pro-worker candidates at every level. Check out and share our video that recaps the historic effort and thanks the best activists in the world:

Gas Industry Meeting for Locals Represented in District 8

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Regarding Issues and needs in Gas Industry Locals and Units

January 25, 2013

Click Here for the Call Letter

On January 25, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., an important meeting shall be held for all Gas Industry Locals represented in District 8. The meeting shall be held at the Four Points by Sheraton Lexington, 1938 Stanton Way, Lexington, KY 40511.

The purpose of this meeting is to assess the issues and needs in the Gas Industry Locals and Units in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia and to discuss ways that we may better serve our member’s interests.

I urge you and other interested officers of your locals to attend. A block of rooms have been reserved for the evening of January 24, 2013 and reservations may be made by calling 859.259.1311. Please inform the hotel that you are with the USW for the discounted rate of $89.62 which includes tax. In keeping with established policy, the Local Union will be responsible for lost time and expenses for members attending this meeting.

Please respond to my office by January 4th to confirm your attendance at 502-875-3332.

Fraternally,

Ernest R. “Billy” Thompson
Director, District 8

USW Election Day Outcome Statement

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0600

President Obama Re-elected; Democrats, Independents Win Seats
USW trains 7,000 activists who distribute two-million worksite flyers for votes

Pittsburgh (Nov. 7) – Leo W. Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers (USW) said today’s Election Day outcome was defined by America’s union workers in the heartland, casting their votes to move America forward to re-elect U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

USW President Gerard said, “Most American workers chose Obama for turning the economy around, passing the Affordable Care Act, rebuilding the auto industry, enforcing our trade laws and adding 5.5 million jobs in the last 32 months.” Gerard adds: “We have more to do, but we’re on the right track with this President.

“Going into this, I wanted to prove three things: The best man would win based on his character, not his skin color; you can’t buy an election, and I wanted to prove that they couldn’t intimidate our people at the polls. And we did it.” He states that it’s not a status quo election result for the new 113th Congress, since new Democrats were elected along with independents.

“Our union members fought Super PACs by millionaires and billionaires with boots on the ground, worker-to-worker. It’s an historic triumph for the commitment we made together with other unions and progressive allies to fight back against the corporate influence in elections and the efforts to suppress voting,” Gerard said...more

Boots on the Ground

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0600

United Steelworkers are telling their stories of members and activists across the country leafleting plant gates, registering folks to vote, doing block walks and more. Come back often to see if your story is here. Thank you to United Steelworker Press Association communicators for assisting with this effort.

In Colorado Steelworkers hard at work at the Obama office in Denver. We will win COLORADO!
In Pennsylvania USW President Leo Gerard plant gating this morning at Anchor Hocking in Monaca. Started at 6am!
In Ohio Joshua Keirsey talking to a supporter in Steubenville, OH pounding the pavement.
In Kentucky Jim Key, vice president of United Steelworkers Local 550, gets last minute instructions from Kelly Whitaker, labor-endorsed Democratic candidate for the state House of Representatives, before he helps canvass Mayfield, the Graves County seat, for her.
In California United Steelworkers Jennifer, Xochitl and Brigette with Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, standing with Janice Hahn at Local 675 in Carson, CA in support on No on 32.
In Pennsylvania David Vinski sends us a photo of the GOTV phonebank at United Steelworkers headquarters in Pittsburgh.
In Kentucky From left, Steelworkers Jim Key, Jeff Wiggins and Joe Villines get last minute instructions from Kelly Whitaker, labor endorsed Democratic candidate for the state House of Representatives, before they help her canvass Mayfield, the Graves County seat. Key is vice president of USW Local 550, Wiggins is president of USW Local 9447 and Villines is USW sub-district director in District 8.
In Virginia Boots on the Ground activists, Roger McGinnis, Karen Shipley, Heather Anderson, Ronnie Watson and Assistant Director Allan sampson, getting ready to knock on doors to secure this state for President Obama.
In California A classmate of Jennifer Thomas-Drudge Leadership Scholarship class, Erik Dullbo from Sweden is supporting our cause here.
In Virginia It's cell phone city at United Steelworker Local 8888 as Women of Steel phone bank for President Barack Obama and Tim Kaine.
In Virginia Roger McGinnis block walking for President Obama and Tim Kaine in Danville, VA.
In California United Steelworker Staff Al Madrigal with officers and members of USW Local 1440 in Pittsburg, CA on the Ground.
In Arizona United Steelworker Local 3937 Women of Steel and members handed out Obama/Carmona flyers at the Alcoa plant in Chandler for just over an hour before they got kicked out of company property by human resource personnel. Click Here for more photos.
In Florida USW political activists are on the ground in Florida helping with setting up and working at plant gate leafleting, educating members at local union meetings, phone banking, block walks, local union mailings and robo calling. Click Here to view all the photos.
In Ohio USW Rally for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton. United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard is scheduled to join candidates in key races, union leaders and others in several states, where he will rally activists, prepare for massive get out the vote efforts and remind workers what’s at stake when they cast their ballots Nov. 6. Click Here to view more photos.
In Illinois USW Local 9550 members in Goshen, IN. are fighting to stop their jobs from moving to Mexico. They work for Cequent Towing Company, whose parent company TriMas Corp., based out of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., have reported third-quarter sales of $336 million, up 21% from the same quarter in 2011. A similar situation like this is happening in Freeport, Ill. where a company with ties to Mitt Romney, Sensata Technologies is moving jobs to China. Click Here to view more photos.
In Ohio On October 28, 2012, Senator Sherrod Brown attended a press event at USW Local 979 in Cleveland. The picture shows the Senator talking with Amber and Jason Miller's daughters, Peyton (on the left) and Madison. The younger Miller, Peyton, really looks like she is in a deep discussion with the Senator.
In Pennsylvania Congressman Mark Critz talking with Anaiah, daughter of Connie Mabin, at the Fall Human Rights Banquet in Hopewell, PA.
In Indiana Special thanks to our USW members of Local 1899 and 68 who helped out handing out fliers and came out to supprt David Gill for 13th congress, Mark Von Nida for circuit clerk, Tom Gibbons for states attorney, Rick Facin for Auditor, Steve Nonn for Coroner, Amy Myer for Recorder, Judy Cates for appellate court, James Clayborne state senator 57th District, Marleen Suarez for 112 state rep, Jay Hoffman 113th District.
In Texas USW District 13 Members Participating In Getting Out the Vote Activities. Click Here for more.
In Indiana Special thanks to our USW members of Local 1899 and 68 who helped out handing out fliers and came out to supprt David Gill for 13th congress, Mark Von Nida for circuit clerk, Tom Gibbons for states attorney, Rick Facin for Auditor, Steve Nonn for Coroner, Amy Myer for Recorder, Judy Cates for appellate court, James Clayborne state senator 57th District, Marleen Suarez for 112 state rep, Jay Hoffman 113th District.
In Texas Members of USW Local 13-423 of Port Arthur, Texas and others conducted a block walk to encourage people in the Port Arthur and Beaumont Texas area to get out and vote prior to the November 6th election.
In Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown with a great support team - District 1 Director Dave McCall, Asst. Director Dave Caldwell, District 1 Political Team and Staff — Donnie Blatt, Jason Miller, Amber Nichole Miller, Joe Sterling and Steven Donovan II.
In Texas SOAR members Jack Simmons, Tom Gentry, Spyder Deringer, Earl Ehlers, SOAR Executive Board member Jack Golden, Assistant to the Director Jim Lefton and Sister Estella M. Simmons from USW Local 13-1 spent Monday October 29th stuffing envelopes in preparation for a mail out to USW Local 13-1 members. Click Here for more.
In Ohio "I'm in Ohio because I wanted to go some place where I could help President Obama," Ormes said. "Our union endorsed him, and the union has always been there for me. The union has always encouraged me and brought me along." To read Chris' story, click here.
In Virginia Heather Anderson with Chris MacLarion meet former Virginia Governor and future U.S. Senator, Tim Kaine this morning. Block walking for him and President Obama.
In Pennsylvania USW International President Leo Gerard at the Fall Human Rights Banquet in Hopewell, PA promoting President Obama's middle class values.
In Virginia United Steelworker Local 8888 Women of Steel phone banking for President Barack Obama and Tim Kaine.
In Ohio Hall of Fame running back, Franco Harris joining two other legends Jim Brown and and Leo Gerard at the Steel Blitz Tour for Barack Obama Rally in Akron, Ohio
In Massachusetts The tireless political activist Dan Lawson taking a few moments out for a photo shoot with Elizabeth Warren. Starting to count the number of running shoes he has worn out in his support of Elizabeth and President Obama.
In Ohio Jason Miller from Local 7248 in District 1 at the Brown/Mandel debate rally in Cincinnati, Ohio
In Colorado Ken Debey (Alliance), David Nefzger (Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans), Rodney Crow (United Steelworkers), Maura Firth (Protect your Care), Courtney Law (Protect Your Care) getting interviews and protecting Medicare.
In Ohio Steelworkers, their families and friends paking the USW Local 2L hall at the Steel Blitz Tour for Barack Obama Rally in Akron, Ohio
In California USW District 12 Director Bob LaVenture with Staff Reps. Fernando Terrazas and Shig Noguchi doing support work for President Obama and the No prop 32 Campaign in Anaheim, CA
In Illinois USW Political Coordinator Terry Biggs from Local 1899, Bill Enyart from congress 12th district and USW Local 50 President Jason Chism at gate handout.
In California United Steelworker's Sub Director Ron Espinoza, Staff Representative Shig Noguchi and USW members with Congressional Representative Maxine Waters supporting Vote NO on Prop 32 in California.
In Oklahoma This home is in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The owner got tired of vandals destroying his Obama yard signs so he painted his roof. That is commitment.
In Illinois Gate handout with USW Local 50 President Jason Chism, State Representative 112th Marleen Suarez and Terry Biggs USW political coordinator for Local 1899.
In Colorado Women of Steel (WOS) member Renee Johnson from United Steelworker Local 2102 in Pueblo, CO. recently had the opportunity to meet the President and present him with a WOS shirt for Miche.
In California United Steelworkers Women of Steel Jennifer Drudge helped to organize the rally in Alamitos, CA to support Obama and Biden.
In Illinois Working door-to-door in my neighborhood's precinct for Dr. David Gill who is running for the Illinois 13th Congressional District. He is currently running ahead in two major polls.
In Oregon USW Local 1097 President Bill Kerr getting ready to pound the pavement in Wauna, OR.
In Arizona Steelworkers handing out Obama flyers at 6:00 am on 10-24-12 at Asarco Ray Mine, Hayden, AZ. Members included Beverly Martinez, LU 915; Monika Lopez, LU 886; Rebekah Osinski, LU 886 and Rosemary Martinez, LU 915
In Texas The son of Local 13-1 President Lee Medley coordinated a massive voter registration drive at a local university campus that registered a whopping 760 voters just in time for Texas' deadline! Let's hear it for USW members who make activism a family affair!
In Virginia Local 8888 members stood outside the shipyard early Saturday ready to greet and encourage their fellow co-workers to vote for former Gov. Tim Kaine and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) who, respectively, are running for the U.S. Senate and Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District.
In California Election Efforts Continue for USW Local 675. A voters education/cookout event, distributing packets and preparing mailings all add up. Click Here to view more photos.
In Ohio District 1 Steelworkers showing support for Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown before his debate in Cleveland!
In Virginia Virginia's political casuals drop in unexpectedly at a Romney rally and bring Big Bird to visit.
In Arizona Rosemary Martinez from USW Local 915 handing out Obama flyers at 6:00 am on 10-24-12 at Asarco Ray Mine, Hayden, AZ
In California United Steelworkers Women of Steel take to the street to rally in Alamitos, CA to support Obama and Biden.
In Ohio United Steelworker activists joined Congresswoman Kaptur at a recent press conference in Lakewood, OH. Representative Kaptur has a strong record of advancing and protecting workers rights.
In Illinois A photo of a night sign from Local 1899 member showing their support for workers and against Bain Capital outscourcing jobs in Freeport, Illinois at the Bainport event covered by the Ed Show.
In California United Steelworker Jennifer Drudge from Local 2801 will not be discouraged from showing her support for President Barack Obama in this year’s campaign no matter how many times people vandalise her signs. Photo by Ted Apodaca. Click here to read the story.
In Illinois Local 1899 member's wife Kim May shows her support for workers and against Bain Capital outscourcing jobs in Freeport, Illinois at the Bainport event covered by the Ed Show.
In Connecticut Tammy Marston, Wanda McKiver and Tammie Botelho walking in New Britain, Connecticut today for Chris Murphy and Elizabeth Estey.
In Illinois Local 1899 member and his wife show their support for workers and against Bain Capital outscourcing jobs in Freeport, Illinois at the Bainport event covered by the Ed Show.
In Ohio Leafleting at the Timkin Company plant gate in Canton OH. Recognizable is Congresswoman Betty Sutton, Richard Trumpka (back to us), LU 1123 President Joe Hoagland (in the blue jacket) and Katy Breck (Sutton's campaign with the USW pullover on).
In Nevada On October 18, United Steelworkers staff and members rallyed with union workers inside The Events Center at the Culinary Training Academy in Las Vegas to show their support for Vice President Joe Biden.
In Iowa SOAR Chapter 11-4 members phone banking USW 105 Retirees in Davenport, IA
In Massachusetts USW President Leo Gerard and US Senate Democratic Candidate Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts at October 13 block walk & campaign rally in Malden, Mass. Click Here to see other cool pics with District 4 Director Shinn and our District 4 Steelworkers.
In Connecticut District 4 Staff, Support Staff and Local Union Volunteers getting ready to do Labor to Labor walks this morning for US Senate Candidate Chris Murphy in Connecticut.
In Iowa SOAR Chapter 11-4 members taking a moment from phone banking for a photo opportunity in front of the Bain Work Bus.
In Indiana USW Local 115-A Mailing. Volunteers from USW Local 115-A stuffing local union mail for the election. Click Here for more. Photos by Kelly Ray Hugunin
In Maine USW Locals 4-365,4-291 and 4-1247 in Madawaska, Maine in front of their float promoting union values at the "Acadian Festivial Parade." Submitted by Tammy Marston.
In Indiana Steelworker volunteers phone banking at USW Local 1999. Click Here for more. Photos by Kelly Ray Hugunin
In Indiana Candidates Visit LU 1999-9 - House District 92 Candidate Karlee Macer and Senate District 35 Candidate Mark Waterfill talk with Steelworkers at the plant gate. Click Here for more. Photos by Kelly Ray Hugunin
In New York Steelworkers rallied outside WNED-TV studios in downtown Buffalo before the debate on Oct. 16 for candidate Rep. Kathy Hochul (D) in the 27th Congressional District. District 4 members included Peter DeJesus and Jim Pittman from USW Local 9436, Dave Evans from USW Local 135l and Joe Vertalino from Local 897.
In Arizona What happens in Tempe, AZ at 4:00am? District 12 Women of Steel from USW Locals 886, 915 and 5252 along with Manny Armenta Jr. and Jeremy Johnson do handbills at a plant gate for Obama.
In Ohio Steelworkers show their support in front of the Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland before Sherrod Brown's debate with Josh Mandel.
In Massachusetts Steelworkers join with brothers and sisters of other unions at the Elizabeth Warren rally in Malden, Mass. in front of Laborers Local 22.
In Ohio As candidates face off for the first of three debates for Ohio’s U.S. Senate seat, Steelworkers come out in force to support Sherrod Brown.
In North Carolina Mitt Keep your Mitts off our Healthcare. USW Local 959 member Joe Smith was rallying with brothers and sisters at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC.
In Virginia United Steelworker (USW) member Mattie Urquhart from Local 8888 in Newport News, VA, phone banking for our candidates.
In Massachusetts United Steelworker members and District 4 staff came out in support of Elizabeth Warren in Springfield, Mass. Click Here to view more pictures of the event.
In Florida James Crowder from USW Local 351L hooking up with the Painters Union as they pound the pavement at an Obama-Bidden Rally at Bartow Recreation Center in Bartow Florida.
In Pennsylvania United Steelworkers (USW) from Local 5652 in Wilkes Barre, PA were able to get 100% of our department registered to vote thanks to the USW Rapid Response program. The members try to wear Obama shirts every Tuesday to remind people to vote on Election Day.
In Minnesota Over 40 steelworkers joined District 11 Director Bob Bratulich on October 9 before the first debate between congressional candidates United Steelworker (USW) endorsed Rick Nolan and Tea Party candidate Chip Cravaack. Representative Cravaack used the back door to enter the debate.
In North Carolina United Steelworkers rallied at VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC, reminding people where Mitt Romney was when men and women were serving America.
In Ohio Members hand billing at Steelcraft manufacturing in Cincinnati.
In Pennsylvania Big Bird came to Pittsburgh on October 9 to visit the United Steelworkers and ask for Steelworkers to help save PBS from Mitt Romney. United Steelworkers from Local 3657 and Headquarters were available to show their support. To see more photos, click here.
In Massachusetts United Steelworkers in Lowell, Mass. rallied outside the debate hall where senatorial candidates Elizabeth Warren (D) and Scott Brown (R) were holding a debate.
In Virginia United Steelworker (USW) members from Local 8888 in Newport News, VA, leafleted and showed their support.
In Arkansas Volunteers from the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9671 who made calls Saturday for Gene Jeffress (AR CD 4) in Pine Bluff, AR
In Colorado USW Staff Reps Jack Cavanaugh, Doug Fennell and members of LU 2102 and 3267 with Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, at an event in Pueblo.

USW Joins More Than 50 Allies in 'Money Out, Voters In' Effort

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The United Steelworkers (USW) union has joined allies from more than 50 other groups to fight back against the corporate influence in elections and against laws and official actions designed to suppress the vote. Under the banner “Money Out, Voters In,” the organizations issued a joint statement pledging to fight corporate money in politics and to support the rights of all voters.

“We deserve a democracy that works for every single citizen, no matter where they live, how much money they have, or what their background might be,” said USW International Vice President Fred Redmond. “Right now, we have an unequal system in which the rich can use their millions to flood the airwaves with inaccurate attack ads or, worse, to bully voters into staying home on Election Day. These efforts are a direct assault on our democracy.”

The joint statement reads:
“Within the next week, citizens in every state will come together to cast their votes for President, Congress, and other state and local offices. The right to cast those votes – to elect leaders who represent us – is at the heart of our democratic system. But this year, that right is in danger ... more

Steelworker Chris Ormes Wants to Make a Difference for Obama

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

By Berry Craig

The hours are long and the wages not so hot.

About half the time, Kentucky Steelworker Chris Ormes doesn't get paid at all.

"But I'm loving it," said Ormes, 37, president of USW Local 1241 in Bardstown. "I'm at ground zero, and that's where I want to be."

He means Ohio, whose electoral vote will likely decide who wins the presidential election.

Ormes is a foot soldier in a small army of union volunteers who are toiling 12- and even 14-hour days to help President Obama take the Buckeye State.

"We've come in from all over," said Ormes, who is based in Portsmouth, an old history-rich Ohio River town.

"We're handing out leaflets at plant gates. We're walking door-to-door, and we're phone banking."

Ormes, who sports a navy blue "Steelworkers for Obama" tee shirt, outlined a typical campaign day: "I started leafleting Steelworkers at a paper mill in Chillicothe at 4 a.m. Then, I came back to Portsmouth and did a walk until 10 a.m. After that, I was on my own time. I volunteered at Democratic headquarters and started making phone calls. Then I went back to my motel and started writing reports."

There'll be no rest for the weary Ormes until election day. "We're going straight through every day until then."

Ormes lives in Elizabethtown, Ky., about a four-hour drive from Portsmouth. He did head home one evening to be with his wife, Stacy, and their son, Levi, for a special program at the high school where Levi is a senior.

"But I drove straight back after that."

Ormes concedes Kentucky will almost certainly go for Republican Mitt Romney.

"I tell people I'm from Kentucky, but I'm ashamed to say that two of labor's biggest obstacles in Washington are from Kentucky: Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul."

Ormes voted against both senators, who are among the most anti-union lawmakers in Washington.

This time last year, Ormes campaigned for a candidate who won big--Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, the union-endorsed Democrat who earned a second term in a landslide.

“I've learned a lot about politics and am still learning," Ormes said. He said his main mentor is Ernest R. "Billy" Thompson, USW District 8 director. “He believed enough in me to put me in this battle, and I will always be indebted to him for that.”

Ormes'other mentors include Bill Londrigan, president of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO; plus brother Steelworkers Jeff Wiggins, president of Local 9447 in Calvert City, Ky.; Jim Key, vice president, Local 550, Paducah, Ky., and state AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer Larry Jaggers, who belongs to Local 1693, Louisville.

"I'm in Ohio because I wanted to go someplace where I could help President Obama," Ormes said. "Our union endorsed him, and the union has always been there for me. The union has always encouraged me and brought me along."

No Denial: 'Son Of Detroit' Profited From Bailout - And Jobs Shipped To China

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

by Joe Conason, The National Memo

“I’m a son of Detroit. I was born in Detroit. My dad was head of a car company. I like American cars,” said Mitt Romney on Monday night when he net with President Obama to discuss foreign policy. “And I would do nothing to hurt the U.S. auto industry.”

That might be considered true – unless moving the most important American auto parts manufacturer to China counts as hurting the U.S. auto industry. But those words now stand as one of Romney’s most glaring falsehoods in the final debate.

Romney’s defensive statement came in response to a remark by Obama noting that the Republican nominee is “familiar with jobs being shipped overseas because you invested in companies that were shipping jobs overseas.” Moments later, he added: “If we had taken your advice Governor Romney about our auto industry, we’d be buying cars from China instead of selling cars to China ... more

USW Ratifies Temple-Inland Integration Agreement with IP

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that workers ratified an agreement this week to integrate about 1,400 workers at 18 former Temple Inland box plants into the union’s master economic agreement with International Paper (IP), with 90% of the ballots cast in favor of the contract.

Overall, the union represents about 4,000 workers at 61 IP box plants, along with some 6,000 hourly employees at 19 IP paper mills. This was the second recent negotiation at IP, where a month ago an agreement to integrate former Temple-Inland mills into the IP master was ratified by nearly the same margin, bringing a total of 80 sites represented by 90 local unions into the IP master agreements.

USW International President Leo W. Gerard credited membership solidarity and shop floor activism at and between the plants for the successful integration of the Temple-Inland locals into the IP system, which began earlier this year when IP purchased its former competitor ... more

USW Notes Win by United States in WTO Case Against China's Duties on Electrical Steel; Obama Administration's Fight for American Jobs

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The United Steelworkers (USW) today welcomed the decision of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to side with the United States in a major trade dispute covering China’s imposition of illegal antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of grain oriented flat-rolled electrical steel from the United States.

China had illegally imposed duties on these products without following proper procedures in its injury analysis. The WTO’s Appellate Body rejected China’s actions on all counts. President Obama took China to task in September 2010 for their actions. The President is pursuing similar corrective actions against illegal antidumping and countervailing duty actions by China on U.S. poultry exports and on $3 billion of U.S. automobile exports to China.

“The President has made clear that maintaining and creating jobs is his highest priority,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. “Fighting for fair trade and attacking the protectionist and predatory actions of our trading partners, especially China, has been at the top of his agenda ... more

Obama Care versus Voucher Care

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Progressive talk show host Leslie Marshall recently spoke with United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard about the advantages with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) and the alternative medical coverage (Voucher Care) as proposed by Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

During the discussion the talk about Mitt Romney who praises the medical bill that was passed when he was Governor of Massachusetts. The Medical Security Program was passed when 82% of the state house and senate were Democrats.

Click the audio button below to hear their conversation.

Vice President Debate Reveals Republican Plans to Privatize Social Security

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

MSNBC progressive talk show host Rachel Maddow releases the Republican plan to privatize Social Security and thereby getting rid of it. The GOP have been quiet on this issue in the election campaign until it was mentioned by Paul Ryan in his recent debate with Joe Biden. The plan to put everyone who isn't getting Social Security will be a boon to Wall Street.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

New USW Video Exposes Mitt Romney's Economy

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Bain, Romney Sell Out American Workers to China for Profits

The United Steelworkers (USW) today released a new video that exposes the truth about how Mitt Romney and Bain Capital are profiting by selling out American workers by shipping U.S. jobs to China.

In the video, posted on the union’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/steelworkers, workers in Freeport, Ill., share their painful story about how Bain-controlled Sensata Technologies is right now moving equipment out of the plant and sending 170 good, American jobs to China. Hundreds of USW members also have seen their plants close and jobs slashed after Bain Capital bought them.

“Mitt Romney likes to say that he knows nothing about tax breaks for off-shoring American jobs, or that he shouldn’t be held accountable for Bain Capital’s actions since he’s no longer CEO. But our video shows the truth about the kind of economy Romney wants, and it exposes the fact that he continues to own shares in Bain-controlled companies like Sensata that profit from sending these good jobs to China,” said Leo W. Gerard, USW International President ... more