Click here to download this Feedback Report as a PDF.
The legislative session has ended in the Massachusetts statehouse, and we are thrilled to report that we were successful in two key USW issue areas.
Protecting Our Job Security and Health and Safety
Last month, you sent over 1,100 letters to your legislators asking that they put Massachusetts’ safety first by stripping out two amendments from an energy bill that would impact both the work our gas workers do and the safety of the communities they serve.
Because of your engagement, those amendments did not make it into the bill for final passage. We know this issue will resurface in the next legislative session, so we must be ready to have a responsible plan in place to ensure we are protecting our members as well as the environment. We know both can be accomplished through commonsense and responsible measures.
USW members have long led the fight within the labor movement to help both America and the world meet important climate goals, while also creating and maintaining good, family-supporting jobs in our union. However, not all legislation shares these goals, and we have to be sure we have a seat at the table for those discussions.
Honoring Our Veterans
For the last four years, the USW has been championing legislation across the country that requires 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. Our veterans often return to civilian life after serving our nation without guidance on how to receive the benefits their service entitles them. This legislation brings us one step closer to making sure their sacrifice is properly honored.
We are so happy to share our language was included in the HERO Act (H.4976). This was done through the hard work of our Veterans of Steel siblings and USW members who support them through our lobbying efforts. We will continue to push for the same legislation in every state across the country. These efforts help to ease the transition back into civilian life and ensure that families and communities are supported after giving selflessly for our country
This good work never gets done without you. Thank you!