CONTACT: R.J. Hufnagel: (412) 562-2450, rhufnagel@usw.org
United Steelworkers (USW) District 1 Director Donnie Blatt, who took office on July 15, this week named staff representative Teresa Hartley as the new assistant to the district director.
Before becoming director on July 15, Blatt served as the assistant to his predecessor, David McCall, who last week left that post to become the USW’s International Vice President (Administration).
Hartley began her USW career in 1995 when she went to work for InterMetro Industries in Fostoria, Ohio. There, she became a member of USW Local 1915 and attended her first USW Women of Steel (WOS) conference, which gave Hartley her first exposure to the union’s culture of activism.
In 2000, Hartley began working at the Cooper Tire factory in Findlay, Ohio, where she became a member of USW Local 207L. She quickly became active in the local, serving as the chair of the local union’s Women of Steel Committee.
Hartley attended five years of WOS leadership courses, learning about all aspects of the union and how to advocate on behalf of all workers. Hartley went on to serve as the district’s civil rights coordinator and Women of Steel coordinator.
“This union gave me a voice. I have been afforded the opportunity to work closely with the sisters, brothers and siblings in our district and to provide the same opportunities and education to them that I have had for myself,” Hartley said. “As times have changed, so has the union, and I feel we have made great progress in District 1 the last several years under the leadership of then-Director McCall and Assistant to the Director Blatt. I look forward to working with Director Blatt and continuing to move our district forward.”
District 1 represents about 60,000 USW members at workplaces across the state of Ohio.
“Through the years, I have watched Teresa grow into her current leadership role in the district,” Blatt said of Hartley. “As Women of Steel coordinator, civil rights coordinator and a Building Power trainer, Teresa has earned the respect of our members in District 1. She will fill a great leadership role in the district, and I look forward to working with her as my assistant.”
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.