The USW is hopeful that the management may now want to find a solution to the problems that they have created through the lock out and the USW will be available as necessary to attempt to reach a settlement which returns our members to their jobs and to reach a fair settlement of our outstanding issues and concerns.

Pittsburgh (Dec. 23) – The United Steelworkers (USW) confirmed another preliminary determination announced late Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) following antidumping (AD) duty investigations for imports of corrosion-resistant steel products from China, India, Italy and Korea.

“The egregious high volume of illegal, corrosion-resistant steel dumped in the U.S. market from China was found to be so substantial that all producers in China will have a maximum duty rate that should take them out of our market,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard.

According to the government’s determination, the rate applied to China imports will be 255.80 percent. The remaining countries in the trade case investigation will have single-digit AD margins on corrosion-resistant imports: India (6.64-6.92 percent); Korea (2.99-3.51 percent); and Italy (0.0-3.11 percent). Taiwan received no antidumping margin whatsoever.

“We are gratified the whopping duty on China dumping will be another needed lesson for their job-stealing violations.” He added that this Commerce Dept. prelim finding is the second enforcement action in the past week against illegal imports of flat-rolled steel products that follows subsidy duties placed on cold-rolled imports from China,” Gerard said.

Other steel trade cases in the U.S. government pipeline are due for investigative outcomes on dumping for hot-rolled in January and cold-rolled in February.

“Multiple steel producing countries are taking more than one-third of our domestic market when American steelworkers should be sharing in an improved economy.” Gerard declared.

“Instead, thousands of USW-represented steelworkers and iron ore miners are currently on layoff status at American idled facilities. Tens of thousands more are threatened by the steel imports tonnage still flooding into the country – especially from China.”

The preliminary order announced late yesterday on coated steel products will result in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) being instructed to require cash deposits based on the duty rates for steel imports from China and three other countries.

Tom Conway, USW International Vice President, who is currently leading negotiations with several domestic steel companies, said: “The duty rates will also be applied retroactively by the USDOC, where ‘critical circumstance’ was found for certain exporters from China, Korea and Taiwan.”

The export violators will be required by U.S. Customs to impose provisional measures retroactively on steel flat products for up to 90 days prior to the effective date of the federal order.

Global overcapacity in steel and continued abuse of the system by foreign companies and their governments requires a major overhaul of U.S. trade policy and enforcement, said Conway.

“For decades, American workers have paid the price of failed trade policies and inconsistent enforcement of flawed trade agreements,” he added. “Congress and the administration need to take responsibility for changing the system that has cost more than a million manufacturing jobs and shuttered thousands of factories, mainly in industries that employ USW members.”

The USW represents some 35,000 workers who produce corrosion-resistant steel at facilities owned by U.S. Steel, ArcelorMittal and AK Steel, which are among the petitioners seeking relief. The U.S. trade case was filed in June.

Impacted U.S. Steel facilities include operations in Clairton, Pa., Fairfield, Ala., and Gary, Ind. ArcelorMittal production incudes operations in Cleveland, Ohio, East Chicago, Ind., and Weirton, W Va., while affected AK Steel plants include operations in Ashland, Ky. and Mansfield, Ohio.

Final determination orders for corrosion-resistant steel are due next May by the USDOC and in June from the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). Corrosion-resistant steel products are typically used in the manufacture of trucks, automobiles, appliances, agricultural equipment and industrial equipment.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.

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For as many years, the members of United Steelworkers Local 7687 have set up and rang the bells for the Salvation Army outside of our plant gates and this year was no different. 

On December 14 volunteers “braved” the incredibly mild weathered day to collect donations for the Salvation Army. 

In total, the event collected $1,263.80, which is a record high for this tradition.

USW Local 7687 thanks all their union volunteers for giving their time and all the people who made contributions for their generous donations.

For those that might want to start this tradition at their own facilities, they can call their local Salvation Army office and ask for buckets and bells.

This project is just one of so many that the USW's amazing members do every day to give back to our communities. If you or your local is doing good things, we want to hear about it! Click Here to share articles, videos and photos with us and don’t forget to use the #USWCares hashtag and give a shoutout to @Steelworkers when you post your stories on social media. Please submit a nomination for a Jefferson Awards at usw.org/uswcares. 

At their annual holiday gathering on December 18, the Officers of United Steelworkers Local 1211 were joined by District 10 Director Bobby "Mac" McAuliffe when they presented a $2,000 donation to Charlie Kernaghan and Barbara Briggs to help continue the important work of the Global Labour and Human Rights Institute. 

The Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights (the Institute) is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to the promotion and defense of internationally recognized worker rights in the global economy. The research, in-depth reports, high profile public campaigns and widespread media coverage have been instrumental in creating the anti-sweatshop movement in the United States and internationally.

Charles Kernaghan has been the director of the Institute since 1981 and has worked tirelessly to stop child labor and protect worker rights. His latest study “Dirty Toys Made in China” unveils the sweatshop conditions Chinese workers are forced to endure to live.

Submitted by Theresa Holmes

On December 5, 2015, Women of Steel members from United Steelworker Local 7687 volunteered to ring the bells for the Salvation Army. Theresa Holmes and Sally Shoemaker donned their holiday antlers and great smiles to help to raise funds in front of the K-Mart store at Hanes Road in York, PA. Hosting this year’s event was the York/Adams Central Labor Council.

This project is just one of so many that the USW's amazing members do every day to give back to our communities. If you or your local is doing good things, we want to hear about it! Please submit a nomination for a Jefferson Awards at usw.org/uswcares. Click Here to share articles, videos and photos with us and don’t forget to use the #USWCares hashtag and give a shoutout to @Steelworkers when you post your stories on social media.

Contacts: Wayne Ranick: (412) 562-2444, wranick@usw.org
              Gary Hubbard: (202) 256-8125, ghubbard@usw.org

Pittsburgh (Dec. 10) – The International Executive Board of the United Steelworkers (USW) today adopted a formal resolution urging rejection of the proposed 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal by both the U.S. Congress and the Canadian federal government.

USW President Leo W. Gerard said the resolution is intended for wide distribution to the union membership in both the U.S. and Canada, setting forth the basis of a fully-engaged TPP rejection campaign in each country. 

“The USW is the largest industrial union in North America representing 1.2 million active and retired members who would all be impacted by TPP,” Gerard said. “These workers with family-supportive jobs are employed in virtually every tradable sector: mining, metals, glass, rubber, paper and forestry, automotive and aerospace products.”

Upon release of the USW policy statement, he said it exposes the TPP as bad trade policy with no real enforcement, misplaced priorities and that working families had already suffered far too long from previous free trade deals.

The USW resolution highlighted the union had an earnest expectation workers’ needs in any trade deal would be met. “When negotiations on the Trans Pacific Partnership began, our union engaged with the negotiators and policymakers with the hope of forging a new approach.”

The statement said the USW sought a trade agreement for the U.S. and Canada “that would lift wages up, rather than pushing them down, one that would reduce our nations’ accumulated trade deficits that continue to mount, one that would promote domestic manufacturing and employment rather than more outsourcing and offshoring, one that would begin to reverse the widening gap of income inequality.”

Citing in detail issues ignored that hurt American and Canadian workers, the USW resolution found the TPP didn’t address currency manipulation, accepted overcapacity in global manufacturing, had insufficient rules for State-Owned Enterprises, provided weak rules of origin for autos and auto parts, plus showed a failure to ensure worker rights standards are implemented.

“The TPP fails to meet the promise that it would be a high-standards, 21^st Century trade agreement in the area of workers’ rights, representing not only a missed opportunity, but also limiting the ability of workers to share in the very prosperity that they will be working so hard to create for multinational firms through their labor.”  

It added, “TPP countries would be required to adopt and maintain laws to provide for a minimum wage, but that wage may be only pennies an hour to be acceptable under the TPP.”

Saying the USW provided comprehensive proposals during the TPP negotiations about how to improve the implementation, monitoring and enforcement of U.S. trade laws, the resolution declared: “The negotiators agreed to TPP trade rules that are far from sufficient, leaving the USW with little confidence that even those rules will be enforced.”

The resolution concluded:

“The TPP will only continue the failed trade policies of the past that have valued corporate profits, wherever obtained, over the interests of job and opportunity creation here at home. The USW will put every effort into defeating the TPP.”

The USW International Executive Board resolution rejecting the TPP can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

A detailed report by the statutorily-created U.S. Labor Advisory Committee (LAC) on the TPP that Gerard served on was also publicly released Dec. 4 by the 19-named representatives of working Americans. Among the LAC signatories were: AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, UAW President Dennis Williams, Machinists President R. Thomas Buffenbarger and James Hoffa, General President of the Teamsters.

The TPP countries are: United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

An op-ed by Gerard, Hoffa and Williams critical of the TPP following release of the LAC report was published in the Huffington Post as: It's Time to Take a Stand for Workers on TPP.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.  For more information: http://www.usw.org/.

# # #

The United Steelworkers (USW) issued the following statement in response to an anti-Mexican message written on the wall of a prominent Mexican grocery store in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood:

(Pittsburgh, PA) – The USW strongly condemns the recent vandalism of Las Palmas grocery store and stands in solidarity with Pittsburgh’s Latino community as together we begin to address this repulsive incident.

We as a union will not tolerate any form of hatred: not from presidential candidates and not from individuals who seek to intimidate productive, hard-working members of our community. 

Pittsburgh, like much of our nation, was built by immigrants, and its diversity and rich cultural history are large parts of what make it great. The USW is proud to also be a part of this history, and as we look to the future, we recognize that an attack on one group is truly an attack on us all.

The USW is the largest private sector union in North America, representing workers in a wide range of industries including metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, oil refining, plus office, technical and service workers in health care, security, hotels and municipal governments and agencies. For more, go to www.usw.org

# # #

We have been in regular touch with the federal mediator and have repeatedly urged him to try to move ATI off its ‘last, best and final offer.’ ATI has refused. We, however, remain prepared to return to bargaining and, when we do, the company needs to be prepared to actually negotiate.

USW members are preparing for winter by building up the picket shacks and stoves on the picket lines and getting ready for the holidays with light up nights. Support for the lockout continues to grow in our communities, and around the world.

USW Local 1138-6 Rallies on the Picket Line in Latrobe, Families Get Together for a Spaghetti Dinner in Latrobe and New Bedford

More than 100 members and supporters of USW Local 1138-6 gathered for a plant-gate rally in Latrobe on November 18^th.  Locked out workers and supporters rallied on the picket lines for about two hours before heading to the Cooperstown Social Club for a solidarity dinner.  Members of USW Local 1357 also got together for a Spaghetti Dinner on Tuesday, November 17^th.  Hundreds of Steelworkers and community supporters came together for food, fellowship, and an opportunity to raise funds for Local 1357’s lockout defense fund.

Building Global Solidarity at ATI

USW leaders Fran Arabia and Walt Hill traveled to the United Kingdom to share the story of the lockout with members of Unite the Union, the largest union in Great Britain and Ireland.  While in the UK, they met with workers from ATI’s Sheffield facility and spoke at a massive Stand Up for Steel rally. 

A week later, leaders of Unite the Union paid a return visit to the picket lines in the US.  The delegation from Unite took time from a conference they were attending in Pittsburgh to show support for the locked out Steelworkers at the Brackenridge plant. Members of Local 1196 shared stories with their guests about the struggles manufacturing is having in their respective countries.

Steelworkers Continue to Give Back to Our Communities

Members of USW Local 7150 in Albany, OR held a fundraiser for six-year-old picket line hero Keelie Curran on November 21^st.  Keelie was diagnosed with leukemia when she was just three and a half years old.  The fundraiser, which was part of the Local 7150 Gives Back program, brought in $13,294  for Keelie’s family to help defray the costs of treatment and living expenses for her family.

ATI Escalates Attack on Working Families by Canceling Healthcare Coverage

Just in time for the holiday season, ATI management escalated its attack on Steelworker families by terminating health insurance coverage for almost 2,100 USW families. The company had already terminated coverage for members of USW Local 1196-1 in August. In advance of the November 30 termination of healthcare coverage, USW Local Unions at all sites worked with lock out families to sign up for alternative coverage including coverage under the USW Emergency Medical Program, continued healthcare coverage under COBRA, CHIP, plans on the Affordable Care Act Exchange, and other government subsidized healthcare plans. 

Because ATI failed to comply with the notification requirements for terminating healthcare that are laid out in the contract and the program of insurance benefits, the USW filed a grievance challenging the company’s action. USW leaders met with ATI management on December 4^th to present the union’s position during a grievance hearing.  The company did not immediately respond to the union’s grievance.

Allegheny County Labor Council Stuffs the Bus for Locked Out Steelworkers

Local unions from around Allegheny County are helping Santa Claus make sure that locked out Steelworker kids get presents this Christmas. On December 4^th, the Allegheny County Labor Council delivered a Port Authority bus full of presents for locked out Steelworker kids to the USW headquarters. Santa’s helpers are making sure that the presents make it out for kids Christmas parties at each location.

Light Up Night on the Picket Lines

ATI CEO Richard Harshman might be a Scrooge, but USW members are committed to making sure that he can’t steal our Christmas.  To usher in the holiday season, locked out Steelworkers around the country held Light Up Night celebrations on their picket lines, showing off newly decorated picket shacks and union halls.

In Natrona Heights members of Local 1138-1 and 1196-1 warmed hot chocolate and s’mores on a Dutch Oven while competing in an ‘Ugly Sweater’ contest.  Steelworkers in Albany, Vandergrift, Lockport and Louisville invited locked out members and their families out to the line and union halls to help set up Christmas lights and trees. In Midland, USW Local 1212 turned out for the City’s Light Up Parade to thank their neighbors for their continued support through the lockout, projecting their thank you message above the parade. 

Additional light up nights are planned in Brackenridge, Bagdad and Washington.

Elected Leaders Weigh In—ATI: End the Lockout

Oregon Governor Kate Brown joined a growing chorus of local, state and federal elected officials calling on ATI to end the lockout and bargain a fair contract with the Steelworkers. Governor Brown wrote ATI CEO Richard Harshman to encourage the company to get back to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract. Brown wrote, “I urge you to get back to the table and continue negotiating a fair contract with the United Steelworkers.”

USW Unveils Billboards Calling on ATI to End the Lockout

The USW unveiled a billboard yesterday calling on ATI to end its nearly four-month lockout of 2,400 workers at 12 locations. The billboard, located at the busy intersection of Grant Street and Boulevard of the Allies in downtown Pittsburgh, is situated only a few blocks from ATI’s headquarters. ATI locked the workers out of their jobs on August 15 after they refused to accept the company’s demands for draconian and unnecessary cuts in pay and benefits.

The eighteen participants were asked to focus on the organizing process under the National Labor Relations Act which would help them develop useful skills for a variety of settings. One goal of this class was to promote discussion on ways that their locals can get involved in organizing. 

The interactive classes were conducted by Maria Somma and Jeff Cech from the USW Organizing department, and John Lepley, USW Local 3657 president. This course has been previously taught in several Districts and has received praise from the rank-and-file members who attended.

The Local 3657 Executive Board thanks all those who took this course for stepping up and getting involved.

ATI workers have been illegally locked out for more than four months, but their holidays will still be merry and bright because of the kindness and generosity from fellow union brothers and sisters at Local Union 6996 in Reading, Pa.

Local Union 6996 has partnered with American Income Life and Wood-to-Wonderful, a non-profit organization in Reading that supports many community programs, to provide over 1,000 hand-made wooden toys, hundreds of books and Toys R’ Us gift cards to the members of ATI locals in Pennsylvania.

This partnership doesn’t just benefit our locked-out members, though; it has become a fixture in the Reading community. They’ve launched a successful litter prevention program called CAN IT to help keep their streets clean and increase community involvement in public health. Not only that, but 6996’s Women of Steel Committee coordinates a literacy program that provides books and hand-made wooden toys to 150 under-privileged elementary students at the local school every month.

Click here to learn more about this partnership.

On Wednesday, December 2, Jeffrey Hapke from American Income Life and Dean Showers from Local Union 6996 personally delivered the toys, books and gift cards to the USW headquarters. From there they will be distributed to the members of the locked-out ATI locals.

This project is just one of so many that the USW's amazing members do every day to give back to our communities. If you or your local is doing good things, we want to hear about it! Please submit a nomination for a Jefferson Awards at usw.org/uswcares. Click Here to share articles, videos and photos with us and don’t forget to use the #USWCares hashtag and give a shoutout to @Steelworkers when you post your stories on social media.

On Tuesday, November 24, Mark Simko, James Cain and Jim Johnston from USW Next Generation Local 1219 met their longtime partner in community service, Chris Edmonds, from ATU Fitness at the Braddock basketball courts.  The team brought with them more than 300 turkeys for their 2^nd annual Turkey Giveaway.  The 1219 Next Gen crew and ATU volunteers prepared for weeks advertising the event, collecting donations and turkeys, spreading the word on social media and inspiring the giving spirit within their community.

The day of the giveaway was a wild success.  They had music playing and members from the community who needed a little help this Thanksgiving were appreciative and thankful to have a turkey on their table this year.  Many people had their holidays changed because of the generosity of USW members. 

“So, as I sit back and reflect on today’s events I can’t help but to smile! I've been asked countless times ‘How was the turkey giveaway?’ and all I can say is AMAZING, absolutely AMAZING!” said Mark Simko.  He said that there aren’t enough ways to thank everyone involved. 

Local 1219 Next Gen and ATU aren’t done yet, either.  They’ve already started collecting for their annual Toy Drive and will host three collection parties.  The toys will benefit children in the local’s community.

This project is just one of so many that the USW's amazing members do every day to give back to our communities. If you or your local is doing good things, we want to hear about it! Click Here to share stories, videos or photos with us and don’t forget to use the #USWCares hashtag and give a shout-out to @Steelworkers when you post your stories on social media. Please submit a nomination for a Jefferson Awards at usw.org/uswcares.

Steelworkers from Local 1196 shared stories with their guests about the struggles manufacturing is having in their respective countries.

Below are pictures from the event.

The Center for Hope in Ambridge, Pa., began distributing the food last week and reports that more than 500 children will have weekend meals this winter thanks to the efforts of the USW and all the volunteers who attended the summit, including USW Leadership Scholarship students, area high school students, Highmark Health volunteers, Jefferson Award staff and others.

Below are some photos from the first week of “Snack Pack” distribution.

Click Here to view photos on mobile devices.

United Steelworker Local 7687 Rapid Response Committee held their 2^nd annual Turkey Drive November 18, 2015 to collect turkeys to donate to Our Daily Bread soup kitchen in down town York, PA.

The team collected 39 turkeys [25 more than last year] totaling over 600 lbs.  According to Our Daily Bread, they can feed around 50 people per turkey by making soups and pot pie.  So that is around 1950 hungry people that will get a hot and healthy meal.

Special thanks go to William Peene Rapid Response Chairman for orchestrating the pick-up and delivery of the donations.

This project is just one of so many USW's amazing members do every day to give back to our communities. If you or your local are doing good things in your community, we want to hear about them. Click Here to share video and photos with us and don’t forget to use the #USWCares hashtag when you post your stories on social media. If you or your local is doing this kind of work, please submit a nomination for a Jefferson Awards at usw.org/uswcares. Don't forget to shout out @Steelworkers!

Fighting to Keep Good Jobs in Our Community

Click here to download a PDF of this update to distribute on your picket line or at your union hall.

Long before ATI illegally locked out 2,200 hard-working USW members, it was preparing an unprecedented attack. Before contract talks began, ATI managers were ‘shadowing’ us on our jobs, forcing us to sit through captive audience meetings, and contracting with scabs to take over our work.  

ATI then opened bargaining by delivering a jaw-dropping list of 146 concessions. Most of these demands stayed on the table; right up until the company gave its ‘take-it-or-leave-it” last, best and final contract offer on August 6^th. 

The proposal included:

• Dramatic cuts to healthcare. By the end of the contract we would pay $215/month for family healthcare coverage and as much as $6,000 in out-of-pocket costs.

• Cuts in job security. ATI’s proposal would eliminate its commitment to the silicon steel business.

• Changes in scheduling. The company’s proposal would allow management to force us to accept schedules with non-consecutive work days as well as days of either more or less than 8 consecutive hours of work.  

• Increases in contracting out. ATI’s proposal would allow the company to use contractors to do ‘non-core’ work and specialized maintenance work, even when there are members on layoff available.

After receiving the proposal our bargaining team reviewed it. While the committee believed that the offer was woefully inadequate, we wanted to discuss it with membership.

The committee returned home and was in the process of scheduling these meetings when ATI announced that it would lock us out of our jobs.  

Bargaining Since the Lockout

There has only been one formal bargaining session since the lockout. On Sept. 11, we met with ATI and a federal mediator. We came to the session with a new proposal, but ATI refused to discuss anything but its last offer. 

Since then, we have been in regular touch with the federal mediator and have repeatedly urged him to try to move ATI off of its “last, best, and final offer.”  ATI has refused.  We, however, remain prepared to return to bargaining and, when we do, the company needs to be prepared to actually negotiate.

What is a Federal Mediator?

A Federal Mediator has been appointed to these negotiations by the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service, an independent government agency headquartered in Washington, DC. Mediators are helpful to opening dialogue between unions and management. They help to bring the parties together by offering suggestions throughout the process. However, a mediator does not have the authority to impose a settlement or determine the terms of a contract.  

Pending ULP Charges

The USW legal department has filed 18 Unfair Labor Practice Charges (ULPs) with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) alleging that ATI violated federal law at the bargaining table, on the shop floor and on the picket lines. 

Our lawyers have interviewed dozens of our members who have witnessed ATI’s unlawful conduct and assisted in providing the Board with sworn affidavits.  The NLRB’s investigation into ATI’s conduct is ongoing. We will keep you up to date as this process moves forward.

ATI Wasting Millions

The lockout is causing ATI to lose millions. During the third quarter earnings call, its CEO admitted that the first 46 days of the lockout had cost the company $50 million.

From the picket lines we see that ATI has only shipped a fraction of the product that we normally run. We even see coils from competitors coming into some facilities. 

We’ve seen ambulances go into the facilities on a regular basis and we’ve read in the newspaper about one scab on a felony warrant. 

Without the skilled and experienced workforce, ATI has not been able to effectively run their facilities.  

The USW’s bargaining positions are reasonable. We’ve put forward proposals that would save the company millions of dollars. But instead of bargaining in good faith, ATI continues in its reckless behavior that has cost shareholders millions.

Stay Strong, Together We Will Win

This is certainly a challenging time for all of us and for our families. ATI’s attack on our union and our livelihood is absolutely   unnecessary.  But, with our strength, solidarity and support, we have what it takes to win a fair contract – one that works for both sides. 

He started in the grocery business over 30 years ago and has become a bit of a celebrity since a poster with his photograph signed by customers and fellow workers was hung on a wall in the front of the East Pittsburgh Street Shop‘n Save store in Greensburg.

“I was nervous at first when I was asked to be in the competition,” said Zeoli, “but then I said what the heck and decided to try.”  

Zeoli spent time studying the guidelines to make sure he knew just what he was expected to do. The 14 baggers were judged according to their speed, proper bag building technique, weight distribution, style, attitude and professional appearance.

He was presented with a trophy and $150 for placing in the contest. He can’t believe the number of people who take time to recognize him. “Every day, people are coming up to me and giving me a hug or a handshake and congratulating me”

When I returned home after two tours of duty in the Middle East as part of my U.S. Air Force service, I was thrilled to start a career as a steel worker at the Allegheny Technologies (ATI) mill. I found much personal satisfaction in my job, and it gave me the ability to support myself and my family.

And then the unthinkable happened. On Aug. 15 of this year, more than 2,200 members of the United Steelworkers were locked out of their jobs by ATI after contract negotiations failed to achieve consensus. Workers have offered to continue working while negotiations proceed, but ATI’s management rebuffed the offer and demanded that the union submit to deep concessions before allowing workers back to their jobs ... more

Women of Steel at USW Local 3403 in Allenport, PA, with help from the ladies at AllClad, male members’ wives, and some friends, were able to donate over 80 handmade lap blankets for veterans in wheelchairs. To the women who were present when the blankets were delivered it was a touching moment.

"For the veterans, it was more than just a blanket," said Kelly Weaver. "It was a sign that someone cared."

Co-chairs of the WOS committee Mary Golacinski and Barbara Mastreaini thanked everyone who participated for making this project a huge success.

The WOS committee also maintains a continual project of collecting unwanted coupons all year and then giving them to the American Legion, who sends them on to our service men and women overseas to be used. 

These projects are just a couple of so many USW's amazing members do every day to give back to our communities. If you or your local are doing good things in your community, we want to hear about them. Click Here to share video and photos with us and don’t forget to use the #USWCares hashtag when you post your stories on social media. If you or your local is doing this kind of work, please submit a nomination for a Jefferson Awards at usw.org/uswcares. Don't forget to shout out @Steelworkers!

The 28-year steel veteran began collecting at the United Steelworkers Local 1016 union hall and then decided to expand the charity work into the NLMK facility.

Day raises funds for several food pantries and for a number of charities including AWARE Women’s Shelter, Prince of Peace Center and the Salvation Army.

He is approaching another personal goal of collecting food for the Scouting for Food project. To date, he has collected almost 6,200 pounds of food and is aiming for the 10,000 mark, which when matched by local companies means 50,000 pounds of food total will go to help the hungry.

Day is an example of the amazing members the union has, and the wonderful community service work members around the United States and Canada do on a daily basis. He also is the first USW member to be nominated for a Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service through the USW Cares program. The Steelworkers this year became the first union to become a Jefferson Awards Foundation Champion to promote and honor service. To nominate yourself, a group or fellow member, click here.

Day said that these collections are possible because of his fellow workers and all NLMK employees who have participated in the monthly drawings. He wanted to thank Todd Clary, Tony Johnson, Curtis Risch, Jamie Maxwell and Mike Howard for their help and support.

Day said, “At the end of each day, it makes you feel good.''

This project is just one of so many USW's amazing members do every day to give back to our communities. If you or your local are doing good things in your community, we want to hear about them. Click Here to share video and photos with us and don’t forget to use the #USWCares hashtag when you post your stories on social media. Don't forget to shout out @Steelworkers!

The Steelworkers, who all worked out of the electric shop in Washington, felt it was an opportunity to give back something after all the support the locked out workers, from both Washington and sister plant in nearby Houston Pa, have received from the community businesses.

Communities are not only built of lumber, brick and asphalt but are woven into a fabric thanks to selfless contributions of people like John Stanish, Ron the Wildman, B.J. Thomas Sam Aquilino, Marc Scott, Kevin Brownlee and Jay Barbarossa who care.

This project is just one of so many USW's amazing members do every day to give back to our communities. If you or your local are doing good things in your community, we want to hear about them. Click Here to share video and photos with us and don’t forget to use the #USWCares hashtag when you post your stories on social media. If you or your local is doing this kind of work, please submit a nomination for a Jefferson Awards at usw.org/uswcares. Don't forget to shout out @Steelworkers!

Contact: R.J. Hufnagel, (412) 562-2450, rhufnagel@usw.org

PITTSBURGH (Nov. 5) – Members of the Adjunct Faculty Association of the United Steelworkers (AFA-USW) voted overwhelmingly to ratify the union’s first contract with Point Park University in downtown Pittsburgh.  

AFA-USW members voted to approve the agreement by a 93 percent margin. The vote was conducted by mail.

The 3½-year agreement provides for a 23 percent wage increase over the course of the contract, along with job security and academic freedom protections as well as grievance and arbitration procedures. The contract also provides, for the first time, payments to instructors whose classes are unexpectedly cancelled on short notice. The contract covers more than 300 part-time professors.

“This agreement is a victory for the instructors as well as the students at Point Park University,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. “This contract will enhance the quality of life for the teachers and, in turn, will improve the quality of education for the students they serve.”

The instructors voted overwhelmingly in June 2014 to join the AFA-USW, and bargaining with the university began in December.

“We look forward to continuing a cooperative relationship with the university administration and building on the progress we’ve made with this contract,” said instructor Sharon Brady, who has taught theater arts at the university for 14 years.

The AFA-USW also represents adjunct instructors at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and Robert Morris University in Moon. The Point Park group is the first in the area to reach an agreement.

The USW is the largest industrial union in North America, representing workers in a range of industries including metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, oil refining, health care, security, hotels, and municipal governments and agencies.

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ACCT Philly’s mission is to provide shelter, care and life saving efforts for homeless, abandoned, and abused animals and protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Philadelphia, providing a benefit to all of the citizens of the City regardless of race or economic status.

Qualified recipients of pet food also receive referrals for free and low-cost spay/neuter, vaccinations, and other medical services for their pets. 

“Our Next Generation group views this as a win/win situation,” said John Beidler (Chairman of USW Local 10-00086 Next Generation group).  “We help the dogs and cats in the shelter with food and supplies, and also provide free assistance to low-income pet owners of the community hoping that their pets have a safe, healthy life and don’t end up in the shelter”.

Beidler added, “Without the support from Teamster Local 107, this wouldn’t have been another success!”

This project is just one of so many USW's amazing members do every day to give back to our communities and get involved with our communities. If you or your local are doing good things in your community, we want to hear about them. Let us know and share video and photos at www.usw.org/uswcares and use the #USWCares hashtag when you post your stories on social media. Don't forget to shout out @Steelworkers.