Tell Your State Representative to Support H.B. 5736!
Our nation is home to nearly 16 million veterans of the Armed Forces, and in Michigan, 562,000 residents are military veterans. Many have come home and entered the civilian workforce in a variety of occupations and industries. We’re extra proud of those who are USW members.
Steelworkers are working hard to ensure our veterans are taken care of when they return back to the workforce and their communities. In May, Michigan Steelworkers were in Lansing lobbying on H.B. 5736 to bring light to the importance of supporting our veterans. Last week, two of our members, Eric Phillips from Local 2-21 and Tyson Jackson from Local 2659, both veterans, gave powerful testimony to the House Labor Committee. This week, we are excited to report that their stories helped the bill to pass out of the committee.
H.B. 5736 would require a standardized workplace posting that includes basic information about benefits to which Veterans are entitled and a way to learn more about programs designed to help them, such as:
- Free advocacy and assistance through the: Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and U.S. Department of
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Crisis Line
- Federal disability compensation and other VA benefits
- Educational opportunities
- Assistance with substance abuse and other forms of addiction
- Available tax exemptions and credits
- Armed Forces Designation on MI driver license or ID card
- Employment and re-employment rights
- Pro bono legal services
- Information for constituency groups like African-American and LGBTQ+ Veterans Groups
These programs help to ease the transition back into civilian life and ensure that families and communities are supported after giving selflessly for our country.
Help Us to Keep H.B. 5736 Moving!
The bill is now headed to the full House for a vote. Click HERE to send a prewritten email to your state representative urging them support H.B. 5736. You can also scan the QR code to take action.
We’re proud of our Veterans. Let’s keep that Steelworker energy going by pushing H.B. 5736 over the finish line. Please take action today!
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