Resolution No. 16: Emergency Response Team

WHEREAS, no worker should ever be killed, injured, or made ill while trying to earn a living.  Every worker should return home as safe and healthy as when they reported for work; and

WHEREAS, the Emergency Response Team (ERT) has responded to 301 incidents since the last convention, including incidents that caused 68 USW workplace fatalities; and

WHEREAS, every death or catastrophic injury leaves a trail of survivors, including friends and family burdened with sudden losses and co-workers struggling with the impact of continuing to work where an accident occurred; and

WHEREAS, a study of USW workers in facilities with incidents of significant injury or death revealed that our members experience high rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); and

WHEREAS, the USW’s U.S. Emergency Response Team sends highly skilled and trained responders to the site of fatal or catastrophic accidents to investigate the incidents and make critical services available, including advocacy and counseling to victims, their families and their co-workers; and

WHEREAS, some injuries or deaths may be linked to defective equipment, design or other issues that may be outside traditional workers’ compensation laws. In those cases, workers and their families in the United States may be able to take additional legal action, and the USW can make referrals for such legal representation as appropriate; and

WHEREAS, the ERT also includes volunteer district coordinators in each USW district who provide an additional layer of compassion, dedication and professionalism to those impacted by death and catastrophic injury.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:

1. We will never falter in our fight to make all workplaces safer.
2. We will continually advocate for USW members and their families through the ERT, work to mitigate suffering wherever possible and ensure survivors get the help they need.
3. We will ensure the continued growth of the ERT program through international and district conferences, meetings and educational opportunities. We will encourage district ERT coordinators to discuss the program at local union and central labor council meetings in their respective areas.
4. We will provide quality training and support for ERT district coordinators so they can enhance their skills.