SOAR Members Embrace Essential Role 

The Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) serves “integral” and “crucial” roles within the USW, convention delegates declared Thursday in passing a resolution seeking to grow the organization’s membership and mission. 

The resolution praised SOAR’s work helping retirees navigate pension and health insurance issues, encouraging locals to advocate for retirees at the bargaining table, and advocating alongside USW members for pro-worker laws and policies.

Delegates also cited the potential to wield more worker power through SOAR, which was forged during the 1980s downturn of the steel industry and marks its 40th anniversary this year. The resolution directs the union both to facilitate SOAR’s expansion and to seek “more ways to involve SOAR members in organizing, corporate campaigns, legislative battles and other issues.” 

SOAR members said they’re up for the challenge. 

“We’re retired from the work, but not the fight,” Denise Edwards, SOAR’s secretary-treasurer, told fellow convention delegates. 

Delegates encouraged locals to promote SOAR membership – eligibility begins at age 45 – and to provide meeting space or other resources to retirees. In addition, delegates called on more locals to form SOAR groups, saying retirees faithfully show up at picket lines, rallies and other actions.  

“You are missing out on a tremendous resource,” SOAR Vice President Doug MacPherson said of locals lacking SOAR units now.  

Fred Silva, a delegate from Local 9309 in Columbus, Ohio, planned to embark on a quiet retirement in a few years. 

But after learning more about SOAR, he changed his mind. His local recently formed a SOAR chapter – and he plans to be an active part of it. 

“Once a Steelworker, always a Steelworker,” he said on the convention floor.