USW District 13: News/Releases

• June 18, 2013 District 13 WOS Answer the Call to Assist Tornado Victims On May 20 2013, a devastating tornado hit Moore, Okla., killing 24 people, including 5 members from union families, and injuring dozens of others. The Oklahoma AFL-CIO identified 1054 members that were affected, with 274 homes damaged but livable, and 105 other members that had total destruction of their homes.
• June 15, 2013 USW District 13 Announces Phillip Murray Scholarship Winners District 13 Director J.M. Mickey Breaux proudly announces the 2013 winners of the Phillip Murray Memorial Scholarships. The Phillip Murray Scholarships are funded by the Education and Existence Fund of District 13.
• May 29, 2013 ALEC is NOT OK The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a corporate-driven organization that works behind closed doors to develop laws that serve their funders' interests. The "model legislation" they produce is introduced by state-level lawmakers who assume the ideas as their own.
• May 16, 2013 USW Members Ratify Contracts at ExxonMobil Baytown Complex United Steelworkers (USW) local 13-2001 members tonight ratified three separate agreements with ExxonMobil Baytown for the operations, maintenance and laboratory groups.
• May 15, 2013 The Arkansas AFL-CIO Executive Board passes a motion to recommend the endorsement of Bill Halter for Governor in 2014 The Arkansas AFL-CIO Executive Board, at its meeting on Monday, May 13, 2013 in Little Rock, passed a motion to recommend the endorsement of Bill Halter for Governor in 2014. Their recommendation will be made to the full Arkansas AFL-CIO Convention to be held in April 2014.
• May 07, 2013 Don Davies Elected as Vice President of the Arkansas AFL-CIO Sub District 13 Director Don Davies was elected as Vice President of the Arkansas AFL-CIO at the 29th Arkansas AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention. This continues the United Steelworkers leadership role in the state.
• May 07, 2013 Upcoming District 13 Council Meeting District 13 will holding a Council Meeting on Friday, July 26 and Saturday July 27, 2013 at the USW Local 620 Hall located at 2416 South Darla Avenue in Gonzales, Louisiana.
• May 03, 2013 USW Local 13-857 Retirees meet to Start their SOAR Chapter Retirees from United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-857 in Ponca City, OK, met to discuss starting their SOAR chapter on Thursday. They agreed to contact other retirees and have another meeting sometime in the near future, (the weather was terrible on Thursday)
• April 30, 2013 USW Locals 227 and 6000 Honor Those Killed on the Job USW Locals 227 and 6000 hosted, for the first time, a Workers Memorial Day observance at their union hall in Pasadena, TX, on Friday, April 26, 2013. Combined, these two locals represent more than 2,000 workers in the oil and chemical industries up and down the Houston Ship Channel.
• April 16, 2013 USW Study Warns Public about Dangers of Hydrofluoric Acid Use in Refinery Alkylation Process to Produce Clean-Burning Gasoline 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.
• April 05, 2013 USW Local 2001 Confirms Support for their Negotiating Committee The United Steelworkers Local 2001 union negotiating committee has begun negotiations with ExxonMobil Baytown Facility in Channelview, TX. On April 5, the local held a Solidarity Day in support of the Clerical Group which has worked under an extended contract for over two years without reaching a new agreement.
• April 04, 2013 USW Local 13-423 Members and Retirees Gather In Austin, TX Over 400 active and retired USW Local 13 members and others gathered in Austin, TX, to fry fish and meet/greet members of the Texas Legislature on behalf of the Texas AFL-CIO.
• March 28, 2013 USW Members at Firestone Polymers in Orange, Texas, Return to Work Monday United Steelworkers (USW) members from Local 13-836 are returning to work Monday, April 1 after Firestone Polymers accepted this afternoon their March 25 unconditional offer to return to work.
• March 20, 2013 USW Members from Local 13-836 Walk the Picket Line USW members from Local 13-836 went on strike at noon March 18, 2013 at Firestone Polymers LLC in Orange, Texas. Firestone wants to make major changes in its health care offerings by shifting more of the health care costs onto the employees.
• March 19, 2013 USW Local 13-836 Goes on Strike at Firestone Polymers LLC in Orange, Texas United Steelworkers (USW) Union members from Local 13-836 went on strike at noon yesterday at Firestone Polymers LLC in Orange, Texas. Both sides were able to resolve many issues, except for health care and wages. Firestone Polymers wants to make major changes in its health care offerings by shifting more of the health care costs onto the employees.
• March 04, 2013 District 13 Staff Rep. Gary Fuslier Passes It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of District 13 Staff Representative Gary Fuslier. Representative Fuslier passed away Friday, February 22, 2013 at his home in Sulphur, La., after a long battle with cancer.
• February 28, 2013 USW Says Problems EPA Found at ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge, Louisiana Refinery are Prevalent throughout Refining Sector The items highlighted in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) report on its July 2012 inspection of ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge, La., refinery are the same issues the United Steelworkers (USW) union has raised for a number of years regarding the safe operation of the nation's refineries.
• February 27, 2013 USW and Carey Salt Reach New Three-Year Agreement The United Steelworkers Union (USW) and its Local 14425 reached a new three-year agreement with Carey Salt, a subsidiary of Compass Minerals Inc., after a bitter three-year struggle to achieve a fair and equitable contract at the company's salt mine here.
• February 23, 2013 Steelworkers Union Endorses Halter for Arkansas Governor The United Steelworkers (USW) today announced their support for former Arkansas Lt. Gov. Bill Halter in the state’s 2014 gubernatorial race. “I am proud to announce that my Union, the United Steelworkers, is endorsing Bill Halter’s campaign to be the next Governor of Arkansas,” said USW District 13 Director Mickey Breaux.
• February 21, 2013 SOAR Chapters Building in Arkansas On February 12, current District 13 SOAR Executive Board member Jack Golden held a meeting in Fort Smith, AR, with our retirees from the locals in the area to help them set up a SOAR chapter. Even though the weather was poor, 20 retirees representing Locals 370, 13-656 and 7893 attended the event.
• February 18, 2013 Unions prepare for Mexico Days of Action The IndustriALL Global Union is mobilizing internationally for trade union rights in Mexico during the week of February 18-24, 2013. The date marks the terrible Pasta de Conchos mine accident in 2006 that killed 65 miners.
• January 28, 2013 Video: Comprehensive immigration reform might be shot in the arm organized labor needs 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)
• December 21, 2012 USW Local 9059 Conducts its First Toys for Tots Drive United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9059, Operating out of NRG Energy's Big Cajun II Power-Plant held it's first Toys for Tots drive at their annual Christmas Party on December 15. Local 9059 has about 175 members and is located in New Roads, LA.
• December 19, 2012 District 13 Members and Staff Support Palermo Workers District 13 members and staff joined together at one of the Houston, TX area Costco stores in support of workers at the Palermo's Pizza factory in Milwaukee, WI, that have been on strike for safer working conditions, decent wages, and a voice at work since June of this year.
• December 16, 2012 District 13 Council announces Council meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma The District 13 Council will hold its meeting February 28 - March 2, 2013 at the Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The District 13 Executive Board will meet February 28, 2012 at 2 PM with the General Session for Delegates set to begin March 1, 2013 at 9 AM.
• December 12, 2012 Women of Steel: Honoring Our Past – Protecting Our Future” 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, we announce the next USW International Women’s Conference, “Women of Steel: Honoring Our Past - Protecting Our Future.”
• December 05, 2012 NEW VIDEO: USW Election 2012 Recap, Thank You Click here to watch a recap of USW's role in the historic election of 2012.
• November 15, 2012 Notorious CEO of Compass Minerals Visits New Iberia, LA Notorious CEO Angelo Brisimitzakis, president and chief executive officer of Compass Minerals, the parent Company of North American Salt, received an unexpected welcome today when he arrived for a visit to the North American Salt (NAS) mine represented by USW Local 14425 in New Iberia, Louisiana.
• November 15, 2012 USW Negotiates Settlement For Veteran With Overland Park Subsidiary The United Steelworkers Union (USW) announced today that it reached a financial settlement with North American Salt Company, a subsidiary of Overland Park, Kansas-based Compass Minerals International, Inc., concerning the disputed termination of Derrick Forestier, a highly decorated veteran from the company’s Cote Blanche, La., underground salt mine.
• November 11, 2012 District 13 Women Of Steel Conference Seventy delegates from all across District 13 converged on Dallas, Texas in order to attend the District 13 Women of Steel Conference September 14, 15 and 16, 2012. Delegates heard a number of leading Women of the Labor movement describing how Women have made their way to some of the top positions in the Labor movement today.
• November 07, 2012 USW Election Day Outcome Statement 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.
• November 05, 2012 Boots on the Ground 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.
• November 03, 2012 USW Joins More Than 50 Allies in ‘Money Out, Voters In’ Effort 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.
• October 30, 2012 USW District 13 Members Participating In Getting Out the Vote Activities In another example of how USW District 13 members are engaged in Get Out the Vote activities within the District, USW members Jeff Lewis of Local 13-1, Lee Medley of Local 13-1, Ruelle Parker of 13-423 and USW District 13 Staff Representative Richard Landry await the arrival of former President Bill Clinton at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX.
• October 29, 2012 SOAR Members Work Getting Out the Vote 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.
• October 29, 2012 13-423 USW Members Work the Election On Saturday October 20, 2012 members of the United Steelworkers (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 6 election.
• October 24, 2012 No Denial: 'Son Of Detroit' Profited From Bailout - And Jobs Shipped To China "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."
• October 17, 2012 ExxonMobil Council Meeting Carson, CA United Steelworker (USW) Delegates to the ExxonMobil Council met in District 12, Carson, CA at Local 675 the third largest Local in the United States with over 5,000 USW members. Our Thanks go out to the District 12 Director, Bob LaVenture, Chris Youngmark Assistant to the Director, Dave Campbell Secretary-Treasurer Local 675, Gary Holloway, Ray Sisneros, Al Garcia, and George Galvan who rolled out the red carpet for us.
• October 02, 2012 USW Local 14425 Conducts Fundraiser for Member with Cancer Members, their families, retiree's as well as community members all showed up Saturday September 29th to conduct a Fundraiser for Louis "Red" Boutte. Red has suffered from cancer for 22 months and has undergone extensive treatments in his fight which have rung up many added expenses for him and his family.
• October 17, 2012 Valero Council Meeting Bossier City, LA Delegates of the Valero Company Council met on October 9, 2012 at the Marriot Courtyard Boardwalk. The wives had plenty of shopping time while the delegates met to discuss the issues of the Valero sites. The LA Boardwalk has over 100 stores for shopping, eating, and entertainment.
• September 20, 2012 New Video: Saving the Auto Industry and USW Jobs Click here to watch our new video telling the story of USW Local 903 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which went from struggling to survive to thriving thanks to the auto industry recovery package.
• September 19, 2012 NLRB Decision Supports USW’s Claim that North American Salt Blatantly Breaks the Law The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a Sept. 12, 2012 decision that affirmed previous findings that Carey Salt (also known as North American Salt) violated federal labor law numerous times in its ongoing negotiations with United Steelworkers Local 14425.
• September 17, 2012 U.S. Vote Foundation and Hispanic Communications Network Launch Spanish Language Absentee Ballot Request Services Website U.S. Vote Foundation (US Vote) and Hispanic Communications Network (HCN) proudly announce the debut of Voto Ausente USA, www.VotoAusenteUSA.org, a Spanish-language website, which offers state-specific absentee ballot request services for voters in 12 states.
• September 05, 2012 District 13 Members Conduct Funeral for Justice and Fairness Members from United Steelworker (USW) Locals 13-2001, 13-227, 13-243, 6000, 13-1, SOAR members, IBEW and CWA members all converged on the Houston, TX headquarters of ExxonMobil to conduct a funeral for Justice and Fairness September 4, 2012.
• August 27, 2012 No Justice, No Piece ... of Pizza Members from Locals 13-1, 227, and 13-2001 came together on Saturday, August 25 to support the striking Palermo Pizza Workers. Union members, community leaders, students, and Costco members joined the National Day of Action in 20 cities across America.
• August 27, 2012 A Shared Vision for the Future of the Oil Industry On August 21st, oil refinery workers represented by USW and representatives from the environmental partners of the BlueGreen Alliance (NRDC, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation and Union of Concerned Scientists) and other environmentalists came together for a Future of Oil Roundtable.
• August 25, 2012 Stop Siemens Union-Busting Workers in a North East, Maryland Siemens’ plant who recently signed affiliation cards with the United Steelworkers(USW) have become targets of the company’s anti-union philosophy. The company has launched a full-blown union-busting campaign rather than respect the workers’ right to choose a union.
• August 22, 2012 Local 13-447 Hosts Voter Registration Drive United Steelworkers (USW) District 13 Local 13-447 hosted a Voters Registration Drive on Saturday August 18, 2012. Members of USW Local 13-447's Women of Steel, newly forming SOAR Group, and Rapid Response along with the Jefferson Federation of Teachers and the Community Group AKA attended a brief Training from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Voter Outreach Division.
• August 20, 2012 District 13 Announces Day Of Action Saturday September 25, 2012 District 13 Director Mickey Breaux has set Saturday September 25, 2012 from 10 am to 12 noon as a Day of Action in support of the Palermo Pizza Factory Workers. Come out to the Costco located at 3836 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX and help distribute flyers encouraging Costco to pull Palermo’s Kirkland Brand pizza from their shelves.
• August 06, 2012 District 13 Announces 2012 E & E Scholarship Winners United Steelworkers District 13 Director Mickey Breaux has announced the District 13 Existence & Education (E & E) Scholarship winners for 2012. District 13 provides a $1500 dollar scholarship to a deserving son or daughter of a District 13 member whose Local Union participates in the District 13 E & E Fund.
• August 03, 2012 Announcing the District 13 Women of Steel Conference The call has gone out for Women of Steel in District 13 to be part of a educational experience at a conference to be held in Dallas, Texas from October 11 - 14, 2012. This will be a great time for sisters to network and share the ideas on important issues.
• July 20, 2012 District 13 Rallies for Bring Jobs Back to America Photos and articles of various rallies for Bring Jobs Back held in District 13.
• July 19, 2012 Congress Needs to Take Action to "Bring Jobs Home" - USW President USW members raised their voices at more than 100 events across the country in support of the expected vote July 19 on a bill sponsored by U.S. Senator Deborah Stabenow (D-MI), ‘Bring Jobs Home Act’ (S. 3364).
• July 17, 2012 China’s Illegal Trading Practices Endanger U.S. Auto Supply Chain The Alliance for American Manufacturing, a partnership with the USW and leading domestic manufacturers, is on a nationwide campaign to defend the 1.6 million auto parts manufacturing jobs left in America.
• July 09, 2012 USW Family Members Awarded Union Plus Scholarships Union Plus has awarded $150,000 in scholarships to 129 students representing 44 unions, including five winners representing the United Steelworkers (USW), in the 2012 Union Plus Scholarship Program.
• July 05, 2012 USW Backs Obama’s Challenge to China’s Trade Action This statement was released today by United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard: “Today President Obama proved once again how important enforcing our trade laws is to job creation in America. He’s taking China to task for the import duties they have slapped on U.S.-made vehicles.
• July 01, 2012 USW Local Urges Texas Congressman to Support "Bring Home Jobs Act" United Steelworker (USW) Local 752L Rapid Response Coordinator David Beard led a delegation of Steelworkers and supporters to Congressman Ralph Hall's office in Texarkana, Texas to urge him to co-sponsor the Bring Home Jobs Act.
• June 12, 2012 District 13 Discusses Common Issues and Builds a Relationship with Brazil Workers District13 Director Mickey Breaux welcomed Joao Moraes, National Coordinator of the United Federation of Oil Workers (FUP) to Houston this past week. The United Federation of Oil Workers represents over 150,000 workers in 12 states in Brazil. FUP works to promote the national organization of oil workers, expressing their demands and struggles economically, socially, culturally and politically.
• June 12, 2012 Local Union Officers Receive Training in District 13 District 13 Director Mickey Breaux welcomed almost 400 delegates to the New Local Officer training being held in Dallas Texas June 11-13. The newly elected Local Union Officers received training on their particular job duties and Health and Safety.
• June 08, 2012 70th Anniversary Merchandise Available for a Limited Time United Steelworkers 70th Anniversary memorabilia is available for a limited time only! Don’t miss out on the chance to share in our commemoration of 70 years of solidarity.
• May 31, 2012 USW Confronts ExxonMobil about Pay Equity, Safety Issues at Shareholders Meeting The USW raised pay equity and safety concerns at the ExxonMobil shareholders meeting May 30, 2012 at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. For two years the all-female clerical unit at the ExxonMobil Beaumont, Texas, refinery has gone without a raise while the predominately male production and maintenance workers have received raises in each of those years.
• May 30, 2012 USW Calls for Paycheck Fairness The United Steelworkers (USW) today called on Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to end his silence on the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill under consideration in the U.S. Senate that would provide greater protection to women who suffer because of sex-based pay discrimination.
• May 26, 2012 Steelworkers Celebrate 70 Years of Solidarity in Cleveland This two-day event featured everything that made the USW a great union - the history of men and women who fought and struggled for the rights and benefits for working people.
• May 16, 2012 SOAR Chapter 36-4 hosts Luncheon with District 13 Director and SOAR Executive Board Member About 100 SOAR (Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees) members and invited guests attended a luncheon on May 14 at the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 5702 Union Hall in Gramercy, LA. SOAR Chapter 36-4 was chartered in July 1992 and has been very active for 20 years.
• May 09, 2012 District 13 Council Meeting Set for mid-June The next District 13 Council Meeting will be held June 15 - 16 at the conclusion of the District 13 New Officers Training being held at the Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel located at 4440 W. John Carpenter Freeway in Irving, Texas.
• May 08, 2012 USW Joins President Obama In Calling On Congress To Create Jobs The United Steelworkers (USW) said today that Congress needs to follow President Obama’s lead in creating jobs by acting on a “To Do List” that would help restore middle-class security. In a speech today in Upstate New York, the President emphasized that Congress now has the opportunity to create secure American jobs by manufacturing goods for the international economy.
• April 19, 2012 Wisconsin Governor Gets a Southern Greeting - Oklahoma Union Style Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker stopped in Oklahoma City on April 11 to collect donations from some famous big-dollar players in Oklahoma politics. He spoke at the $10,000 a plate Republican fundraiser co-sponsored by Koch Industries.
• April 17, 2012 Workers grill Whirlpool on plant closures Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) and the IUE-CWA today demanded answers from Whirlpool executives who seem more interested in lining their pockets with huge benefit packages than investing in American workers and communities.
• April 09, 2012 Steelworkers Stand in Solidarity with Louisiana Teachers On April 4, Louisiana Steelworkers joined with other concerned citizens and members of labor in a rally for the teachers, called by the Louisiana AFL-CIO. Governor Bobby Jindal and his cohorts in the state legislature had put forward several damaging bills against teachers ... more
• March 15, 2012 AFL-CIO Executive Council Statement on Citizens United Two years ago, the Supreme Court seriously undermined our democracy when, continuing a trend of deregulatory campaign finance decisions, it ruled to allow unlimited independent campaign spending by business corporations and other groups.
• March 15, 2012 Educating Oil Workers About Their Rights As part of GAP's Know Your Rights Campaign (KYRC), created in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, GAP spoke at the United Steelworkers, District 13 Council Meeting February 24-25 in Baton Rouge, LA.
• March 04, 2012 President Obama's Proclamation on Women’s History Month, 2012 As Americans, ours is a legacy of bold independence and passionate belief in fairness and justice for all. For generations, this intrepid spirit has driven women pioneers to challenge injustices and shatter ceilings in pursuit of full and enduring equality.
• February 28, 2012 "Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?" (Trailer) Amidst the backdrop of a growing worldwide populist democratic movement, the dramatic groundbreaking feature documentary film Heist: Who Stole the American Dream? will open at The Quad Cinema in New York’s Greenwich Village on March 2, 2012.
• February 20, 2012 Haynes Workers Picket for First Contract Demonstrating their demand for a first labor contract, two dozen members of the United Steelworkers (USW) local at Haynes International’s Tubular Products plant in Arcadia, La., set up a picket line Wednesday.
• January 24, 2012 Local judge accused of seeking special treatment for her own daughter District Judge Mary Roman is the target of an ethics complaint that alleges she used her office to seek special treatment for her daughter, who is on probation.
• January 21, 2012 Steelworkers Rally Across America in Support of Ohio Cooper Tire Workers On January 14, 2012, United Steelworker (USW) members across America held informational rallies in support of the locked out workers at USW Local 207L in Findlay, OH. Since November 28, 2011, Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. refused the union's offer to remain on the job while negotiations proceeded.
• January 12, 2012 District 13 Luncheon Kicks Off Reactivating a SOAR Chapter in Texarkana On December 5, a luncheon was held at United Steelworker (USW) Local 752L in Texarkana, AR to recognize the work of area retirees in reactivating Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 12-UR5.
• January 12, 2012 USW Local 752L Prepares for Contract Talks On November 3 and 4, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 752L in Texarkana, AR held (Contract Action Team) CAT training for their current round of contract negotiations. About 30 members participated in the two day event. On November 29 their employer, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., locked out their Sisters and Brothers of USW Local 207L, in Findlay Ohio.
• January 09, 2012 Louisiana Gator with a Union Steelworker Brotherhood Outdoors is a unique TV series of the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance that celebrates hardworking union sportsmen and women as they join host Tom Ackerman for outfitted hunting and fishing adventures across North America. On January 12 at 8 pm (ET) on the Sportsman Channel they will feature the story of Wayne ‘Kip’ Benoit.
• January 03, 2012 USW Local 752L Supports Cooper Tire Workers in Ohio Members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 752L in Texarkana Arkansas held an informational demonstration on December 22 to show solidarity with their sisters and brothers at USW Local 207L. The workers at Cooper Tire in Findlay Ohio have been locked out by the Company since November 28.
• December 22, 2011 Hundeds of Louisiana Residents Urge ExxonMobil to Improve Storm Preparation, Reduce Accidents The Louisiana Bucket Brigade collected letters about ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge accidents and delivered them today to the refinery's manager, Steven Blume. The letters urge Blume to upgrade equipment, hire more workers, improve emergency alerts and implement proper shutdowns of sthe refinery in advance of storms.
• November 09, 2011 Reps. Doggett and Levin Introduce the ''Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension and Tax Relief Act" Democrat Representatives Sander Levin (D-MI) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) introduce legislation would prevent over 6 million jobless Americans from losing their unemployment benefits next year by continuing the current Federal unemployment insurance programs through 2012.
• October 15, 2011 New Video: USW Joins Occupy Pittsburgh USW International President, Leo W. Gerard, joined thousands of Pittsburghers in Day 1 of the Occupy Pittsburgh movement.
• September 21, 2011 USW Calls EPI Job Loss Study an ‘Alarm’ for Trade Enforcement The United Steelworkers (USW) said a report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) that cites a staggering 2.8 million job losses in the past decade was an alarming confirmation of the growing trade deficit impact on American workers since China's ascension to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001.
• September 20, 2011 Do You Want the Rich to Get more and You to Get Less? Leslie Marshall, from the The Leslie Marshall Show, talks with United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo W. Gerard about taxes, taxation and class warfare. As they talked about the recent proposal by the President to get the economy moving again, Leslie asked if the proper question has been posed to the American people.
• September 15, 2011 Gerard on MSNBC: America Needs Jobs Bill, Collective Bargaining to Prosper USW International President Leo W. Gerard appeared on last night's Ed Schultz Show on MSNBC, where he said passing the jobs plan and rejecting attempts to destroy collective bargaining are keys to turning our economy around. Click here to watch.
• August 12, 2011 Convention for Steelworkers: Aug. 15-Aug. 18 in Las Vegas Over 3,000 elected United Steelworkers (USW) local union leaders from across North America will meet with top international officers and executive board members for an International Convention Aug. 15 to Aug. 18, at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
• August 09, 2011 Will We Be a Country that Respects the Rights of People? In this episode, Leslie Marshall talks with Fred Redmond, International Vice President of Human Affairs for the United Steelworkers (USW). Redmond talked Republicans are trying to suppress voting rights under the pretense of voter fraud.
• July 20, 2011 Special Transportation Notice for USW Convention Delegates Union members will be arriving in Las Vegas in August to attend the International Constitutional Convention. All members are urged to support our brothers and sisters operating union taxis.
• June 24, 2011 Show America Who Is Fighting for Jobs Leslie Marshall, from the The Leslie Marshall Show, talks with United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo W. Gerard about lack of enthusiasm and attention being given by our representatives in presenting job legislation. When asked should the President do about jobs, Gerard responded, “The President has to bring forth his ideas and ask for legislation.
• June 17, 2011 ExxonMobil Must Improve Process Safety at Baytown Refinery The United Steelworkers Union (USW) says the June 14 injury at ExxonMobil's Baytown, Texas, refinery shows the company must do a better job at handling process safety. Click here for more.
• May 22, 2011 The Anniversary of the Founding of the United Steelworkers May 22 marked the 69th anniversary of the founding of the United Steelworkers (USW). On that day in 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio, the forerunner of our union, the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC), began building of an organization to counter the years of injustice against workers.
• May 10, 2011 United Steelworkers are People Helping People International Secretary Treasurer Stan Johnson talked with Leslie Marshall about the various ways Steelworkers help people after natural disasters; with charities such as United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Juvenile Diabetes and assist with blood drives and food drives.
• April 20, 2011 The Leslie Marshall Show - The King (or Dictator) of Michigan? In this episode, Leslie Marshall talks with Fred Redmond, International Vice President of Human Affairs for the United Steelworkers (USW). Redmond talked about how Governor Snyder’s bill to impose “financial martial law” on the people of Michigan is a threat to democracy and the electoral process.
• March 29, 2011 Steelworkers Ratify Contract with Dana Holding Corporation (NYSE: DAN) The United Steelworkers (USW) announced that in a vote yesterday, some 1,500 represented employees ratified a new contract with Dana Holding Corporation. "This contract retains the strong language protecting our work from leaving our USW and United Auto Workers (UAW) represented facilities ...
• March 24, 2011 NEW VIDEO: 100 Years After Triangle Fire, Clock Turning Back on Workers' Rights You have to check out this incredibly moving video about the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire 100 years ago and a similar tragedy that recently happened at a clothing factory in Bangladesh. It shows that the clock is turning back when it comes to workers' rights.
• March 10, 2011 USW Slams Walker’s Assault on Democracy In a clear violation of Wisconsin’s open meeting law, Wisconsin conservative senators yesterday voted without a quorum to strip the state’s public sector workers – teachers, nurses, and librarians – of collective bargaining rights that the people of Wisconsin granted them a half century ago.
• March 02, 2011 Floor Speech by Congressman George Miller Denouncing the GOP Attack on Middle Class Americans Piece by piece, the chipping away at the middle class standard of living has been accelerated in recent months. California Congressman D-George Miller provided a clear understanding on the methods and the architects behind the attacks against American workers as Miller referred to those who are behind these malicious efforts
• February 18, 2011 "This is just to Break Unions and Destroy the Middle Class" Last night, MSNBC "Hardball" Host Chris Mathews talked with United Steelworkers (USW) District 2 Director Mike Bolton and Wisconsin Republican State Senator Glenn Grothman about the anti-union bill being proposed in Wisconsin.
• February 11, 2011 USW President Gerard Joins Democratic Leader Pelosi on Jobs Bill Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined House Democrats and USW President Leo W. Gerard to raise their voices yesterday, sending a clear message that the number one national priority is to create jobs.
• February 01, 2011 The Need to Lift Up all Workers United Steelworkers (USW) International Vice President for Human Affairs Fred Redmond is interviewed on the Leslie Marshall Radio Show and he talks about how the USW is working to stop the exploitation of workers by multi-national companies and, at the same time ... more
• January 26, 2011 Mexican Border Agents Arrest Steelworkers Union Leader The United Steelworkers (USW) today condemned the arrest of one of its international representatives by Mexican customs officers on Monday. Manny Armenta, a USW sub-district director in Albuquerque, NM, was arrested while on his way to meet with attorneys for the Mexican mineworkers’ union called Los Mineros.
• December 10, 2010 Conway: Our Nation Needs a Manufacturing Policy USW International Vice President Tom Conway appeared on the Leslie Marshall Radio Show to talk about he importance of manufacturing to the nation.
• December 09, 2010 USW Opposes Passage of Revised US-Korea Trade Agreement The United Steelworkers (USW) issued the following statement by its International Executive Board today after concluding an extensive examination of the terms of the proposed agreement: “The Obama Administration has now concluded negotiations with the government of South Korea on the revised terms of the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
• December 07, 2010 Unemployed Held for Ransom Gerard on Schultz: Stop stealing from the unemployed to pay for tax cuts for the ultra rich.
• December 06, 2010 Labor uses jobless to lean on Congress to extend unemployment benefits The AFL-CIO pressed lawmakers to extend a "lifeline" to unemployed workers by extending benefits for out-of-work Americans.
• November 29, 2010 Health Care and Pay Freeze Leo Gerard and Leslie Marshall discuss the latest in the health care flap involving a conservative Maryland physician elected to Congress and President Obama’s announcement of a pay freeze for federal employees.
• November 22, 2010 Mourning in America: Death of The Middle Class USW International President Leo Gerard appears on the Leslie Marshall Show to talk about his blog entitled "Mourning in America: Death of The Middle Class." Click to listen to the interview.
• November 03, 2010 Election Results Demonstrate Frustrations in Industrial Heartland The following statement was released today by USW International President Leo W. Gerard: "Yesterday’s results do not indicate a move to the right by American voters. What is apparent instead is the frustration with the economy in the industrial heartland of the U.S. where manufacturing has been devastated and jobs lost.
• October 15, 2010 Steelworkers Applaud Obama Administration Acceptance of Trade Case The United Steelworkers (USW) released the following statement from International President Leo W. Gerard regarding the announcement by the Office of the United States Trade Representative that the Obama Administration has accepted the USW’s petition under Section 301 of the trade law ... more
• August 16, 2010 The Latest Statistics Demonstrate the Advantages of Union Membership Unions play an important part in the compensation and work lives of both unionized and nonunionized workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Employee Benefit Research Institute have data that compares the impact of union representation on wages, fringe benefits, total compensation, pay inequality, and workplace protections.
• April 03, 2010 USW Expresses Deep Sympathy to Families, Fellow Employees of Those Killed, Injured in Tesoro Explosion The United Steelworkers (USW) union expresses its deep sympathy to the families and co-workers of the employees killed and severely injured in the explosion and fire that occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on April 2 at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington.
• February 02, 2010 The Call Goes Out for All Rapid Response Activists The National Rapid Response Conference will be held during the first week of May at the Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C. A Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference will occur simultaneously with our Conference, beginning on Tuesday, May 4 at 8:30 a.m.
• December 30, 2009 USW Reacts to Trade Case Vote on Tariffs Against OCTG China Pipe Imports The United Steelworkers (USW) reacted positively to today’s affirmative 6-0 vote by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on a petition in the anti-subsidy portion of a case against Chinese pipe imports called oil country tubular goods (OCTG).
• December 22, 2009 Evaluate the 15th Civil and Human Rights Conference If you attended the USW's recent Civil and Human Rights conference, we want to hear from you. Click here to find out how you can do an online evaluation.
• December 22, 2009 More than chicken soup: USW members demonstrate for real health care reform USW members were among demonstrators who encouraged local residents to remind Pennsylvania Congressman Tim Holden that America needs more than chicken soup when it comes to health care security. Click here for more.
• December 21, 2009 NEW VIDEO: USW President on Vale Inco strike: We're fighting for our community USW International President Leo W. Gerard appeared today on Canada's BNN to discuss the strike at Vale Inco, talking about how the union is fighting for the community and for workers around the world. Click here to watch.
• December 17, 2009 New report refutes claims that health care excise tax would not hurt middle class A new report by the CWA shows just how bad an excise tax on health care benefits would be for the middle class. Click here for more.
• December 16, 2009 NEW VIDEO: USW President on direction of health reform: 'I'm angry as hell' USW International President Leo Gerard appeared on MSNBC and expressed the anger many Steelworkers are feeling about how the health insurance reform debate is going. Click here to watch and to find out how you can fight back.
• December 15, 2009 Showing solidarity with our Sisters, Brothers on strike against Vale Inco Please click here to learn how you can help show solidarity and support for our fellow USW members who are on strike against Vale Inco in Canada.
• December 10, 2009 America Needs JOBS NOW Today, the AFL-CIO are launching a new online event focusing on jobs with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Using online moderation tools, union leaders and activists across the country can submit questions for President Trumka about the jobs crisis and vote on questions already submitted.
• November 23, 2009 U.S. study prompts transatlantic campaign to prevent deaths in paper industry A recent increase in workplace fatalities and serious injuries in the paper industry may have been brought on by employers trying to increase profit margins at the expense of health and safety, the world’s first global union said as it embarks on a transatlantic investigation of the industry. Click here for more.
• November 19, 2009 Serious concerns from working families about Senate health proposal The impending Senate vote on health insurance reform is a good step towards progress, but working families have some serious concerns about the Senate proposal. Click here to find out how you can help.
• November 19, 2009 Support our brothers and sisters at Vale; sign petition today Some 3,500 brothers and sisters remain on strike in Canada. Please show support today by signing an online petition that fights the vicious attack against Vale workers. Click here for more info.