Click here to download this update as a PDF.
On Tuesday, January 28, the New Hampshire House Labor Committee voted 10 to 9 to advance HB 238-FN, the latest effort to pass a "Right-to-Work" bill, to the full House for review. This harmful legislation would lower wages, compromise workplace safety, and weaken job training programs that support all workers in New Hampshire. Our families can’t afford these attacks on our rights and livelihoods. It’s time to send a clear message: “Right-to-Work” is wrong for New Hampshire. For more information on HB 238-FN, please click here.
Tell Your NH State Representative to Oppose HB 238-FN!
Click HERE to send a prewritten email to your NH State Representatives to urge them to oppose HB 238-FN.
USW Local 689 President Herman Potter announced his retirement after 36 years of serving the local in southern Ohio and working at the Portsmouth former gaseous diffusion plant as a lab technician and production process operator.
Potter will retire from his position with North Wind Dynamics (NWD) and resign from his union leadership role effective Feb. 2, 2025. Potter has held various roles in the local union throughout his career, including safety representative, vice president and president. Potter was also instrumental in setting priorities during his longtime membership to the Atomic Energy Workers Council (AEWC).
“Stepping away at this time will allow me to reduce my workload and also give others in our local opportunities to move into leadership positions,” said Potter in a letter to Local 689 members in early January.
Evan Brown, the local union’s vice president, is set to succeed him as president of Local 689. Potter expressed his intention to possibly engage in part-time assignments for the USW and to continue his membership on the EM advisory board for Portsmouth.
Potter has been heavily involved in improving the community surrounding the Portsmouth plant throughout his career, serving on the board of the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative and collaborating with other organizations to improve the quality of life for residents.
“Herman’s leadership and dedication to his local and to workers in the nuclear sector have been instrumental in improving both the safety of our members and advancing key nuclear legislation,” said USW International Vice President Roxanne Brown, who has worked closely with Potter on AEWC in her role overseeing the council.
“His tireless efforts within Local 689, on the council and in his community to help revitalize and seek long-term investments for the Portsmouth site have left a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit our members and Pike County for years to come. We thank Herman for his service and wish him all the best as he enters retirement.”
In addition to thanking his fellow local USW members, Potter also acknowledged the cooperation of DOE and its contractors in addressing worksite issues and planning for the re-industrialization of the former gaseous diffusion plant complex, stating, “Even though there have been differences of opinion, I do not feel it was personal.”
Click here to read more about Potter and his fellow union members at Portsmouth, who were featured in the Fall 2024 issue of USW@Work magazine.
I hope everyone enjoyed a healthy and happy holiday season, is well-rested, and is ready to begin another year of activism and involvement in your community and your union through SOAR.
As the International SOAR Conference approaches this year, I would like to give a heads-up to those who plan to attend regarding what will take place.
SOAR will be celebrating our 40th anniversary and will recognize some of the accomplishments of our members and chapters during this time.
During the Conference, we will hold elections to elect or re-elect members of the SOAR Executive Board.
The SOAR delegates in attendance will debate and vote on resolutions submitted by chapters and the SOAR Executive Board concerning how we operate as an organization.
We will discuss the successes of our efforts aimed at improving the quality of life for our members, as well as outline what steps we need to take in the future to maintain or enhance their standard of living. Some of the achievements we will celebrate include:
We will also talk about ways we can improve the financial stability of the Social Security Fund and ensure that anyone who believes reducing benefits is a good idea will quickly realize that it is a bad idea.
This will be our first SOAR Conference using the system that was put in place during the last Conference, which will allow for greater participation from our chapters. Larger SOAR chapters can choose to send more delegates, and USW districts with many members, but with smaller chapters could be considered by their Director based on district-wide totals and activism.
Get your resolutions in on time, as the deadline for February 3, 2025, is quickly approaching. I hope to see you at the Conference, and I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!
In early January, concluding what has been said by many to be the most pro-worker administration in history, President Joe Biden acted on two fronts that will directly impact Steelworker members and retirees for years to come.
Most recently, on January 5, President Biden became the first president in more than 20 years to expand Social Security benefits after signing the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) into law.
The new law passed with large bipartisan majorities in the U.S. House (327 to 75) and Senate (76 to 20) and will ensure a dignified retirement for more than three million police officers, firefighters, nurses, postal workers, teachers, and other public sector workers and their surviving family members.
By eliminating the unjust Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), H.R. 82 will lead to an average monthly benefit increase of $360 for frontline workers who have dedicated their lives to serving our communities.
"The bill I'm signing today is about a simple proposition: Americans who have worked hard all their lives to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity," Biden said.
Additionally, after a year-long campaign by our union to educate lawmakers, stakeholders, USW members and families about the potential drawbacks of the proposal to sell U.S. Steel to Nippon, a campaign aimed to build bi-partisan support for our position, President Biden acted on USW members’ behalf and blocked the deal.
In a statement following President Biden’s action, United Steelworkers International President David McCall said:
“Throughout the past year, as the proposed transaction was under review, our union’s first and only concern has been the long-term viability of our facilities as we look to ensure a strong domestic steel industry well into the future.
“Nippon has proven itself to be a serial trade cheater that for decades worked to undermine our domestic industry by dumping its products into our market. Allowing it to purchase U.S. Steel would have offered it the opportunity to further destabilize our trade system from within and in the process, compromise our ability to meet our own national security and critical infrastructure needs.
“It’s clear from U.S. Steel’s recent financial performance that it can easily remain a strong and resilient company. We now call on U.S. Steel’s board of directors to take the necessary steps to allow it to further flourish and remain profitable.”
The USW also commended President-elect Donald Trump for his continued opposition to Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel. We remain steadfast in our pledge to work with any administration that shares our commitment to sustaining a thriving, domestically owned and operated steel industry.
Click HERE to see the recent statement on the blocked U.S. Steel/Nippon agreement.
Click here to download this Feedback Report as a PDF.
Despite the -10° temperatures on Wednesday, nearly 200 labor supporters turned out to protest HB 238-FN, the “Right-to-Work” bill in New Hampshire. In addition to the rally, over 1,400 individuals registered their opposition. These impressive actions are thanks to your efforts!
Due to the large volume of testimonies submitted, the House Labor Committee has postponed their vote on the bill, which is now set for Tuesday, January 28th at 10:00 AM.
NEXT STEPS
Prior to the House Labor Committee’s vote, a labor rally will be held. Details are below.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
WHERE: 33 North State Street, Concord, NH 03301
NOTES: The rally will be held outside. For updates regarding the rally, please visit the Facebook Event Page.
Stay tuned for more information following the House Labor Committee vote!
For more information on this issue or how you can get more involved with Rapid Response, please contact District 4 Rapid Response Coordinator, Mark McDonald, at mmcdonald@usw.org.
Click here to download this Action Call as a PDF.
Michigan Public Sector Workers: We Need Your Voice Now More than Ever.
This Wednesday, January 29, at 7:00 PM ET, the labor movement is hosting a critical town hall to discuss the alarming changes to public-sector workers’ healthcare caused by Speaker of the House Matt Hall’s unconstitutional actions. These changes could cost workers like you thousands of dollars a year.
We must act together to protect the healthcare benefits you’ve earned.
This town hall is your opportunity to get the latest updates from your union, learn what these changes mean for you and your family, and find out how we can fight back to stop these devastating policies.
Public Sector Healthcare Changes Town Hall
When: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
Where: Online (RSVP for the link)
Click HERE to RSVP.
Once registered, you’ll receive the link to join.
We are reaching out to public sector workers specifically for this call to ensure you have the most up to date information on the status of HB 6058 (80/20 Hard Caps).
Please click HERE to see additional information on the bill and to take action.
For additional information, please contact District 1 Rapid Response Coordinator, Sue Browne at sbrowne@usw.org or 269-838-5956.
This article is part of Women of Steel's "Sister Stories" series.
Susan Ridgeway knows she has big shoes to fill as the USW Western New York Women of Steel Committee Chair. After long-time activist Cindy Marlow passed away in 2024 following a long, hard-fought battle with cancer, Susan stepped up to take on the role. Her 25 years of union experience has prepared her well, and her determination to make a change is helping her lead with dignity.
She’s also accrued her strength while working in a male-dominated career at 3M in Buffalo, N.Y. Susan currently works as a crew lead in shipping and receiving, along with serving as the Local 13833 Civil and Human Rights Chair and as Griever for her department.
Long story short, she wears many hats, and she has no plans of taking them off anytime soon.
“I am unapologetically a steadfast activist,” Susan said. “I eat, sleep, and breathe this work.”
Outside of the union, Susan is just as active. Her current focus is building up a mental health awareness center—CASSO—that is dedicated in honor of her late grandson. The goal of this organization is to help at-risk youth get off the streets and prepare them for job interviews.
Susan’s commitment to the next generation–both union and nonunion–is currently driving her to do as much as she can to empower and uplift them.
“They are being affected by so much,” she said. “It’s my desire to stay strong for them and help bring them up through the ranks.”
Susan believes the key to connecting to younger people is simple: it’s all about communication.
“We need to listen to them,” said Susan. “We need to be open and have real, nonjudgmental conversations.”
She also believes this is the key to tackling the many challenges the labor movement is going to face over the next several years, especially in the realm of social and economic justice.
“Civil rights are human rights,” she said. “It is our duty to acknowledge and include everyone in this movement. It’s about dignity.”
Susan’s passion for justice was renewed at this year’s AFL-CIO MLK Civil and Human Rights Conference in Austin, Texas. She said connecting with her fellow union siblings is always energizing and enlightening, and it didn’t hurt that she was able to meet U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett.
“Now that is a true Woman of Steel,” she said.
Regardless of what happens in the coming years, and regardless of who is in power, Susan plans to continue her work with the union, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I feel a lot of gratitude for the USW and Women of Steel for allowing us the opportunity to network and be a part of so many different experiences,” she said. “I am so honored to be a part of it.”
Click here to download this Action Alert as a PDF.
Collective bargaining is a fundamental right that allows workers to have a voice in their working conditions, ensuring they are treated fairly and with respect. It helps secure better wages, benefits, and workplace safety.
Unfortunately, in Utah, HB 267 was introduced to ban collective bargaining for public sector workers, including teachers, firefighters, transit drivers, and more. Without the ability to negotiate, these workers could face lower pay, fewer benefits, and less safe working conditions.
Opposing HB 267 is essential to safeguarding workers' rights and preserving their ability to negotiate for better conditions and fair treatment. Tell Your State Representative to Oppose HB 267! Click HERE to send a prewritten email to your Utah State Representatives to urge them to oppose HB 267 and protect public employees’ bargaining power!
For more information on this issue or how you can get more involved with Rapid Response, please contact District 12 Rapid Response Coordinator, Catherine Houston, at chouston@usw.org.
After months of bargaining, approximately 260 USW health care workers at UP Health System– Marquette in Marquette, Mich., ratified their first contract in early January, winning historic wage increases, boosting on-call pay, securing much-needed safety protections, and more.
Peggy Lindeman, a point of care coordinator at UPHS Marquette for 21 years, began talking to her colleagues about organizing in 2023 after noticing a steady decline in workplace culture, morale, and patient care following the hospital’s acquisition by Duke LifePoint in 2014.
Lindeman began organizing the professional and technical workers of the hospital, a unit she was excluded from that was ultimately organized by the Michigan nurses’ union. She called the USW for support as she started organizing her second bargaining unit of LPNs, Care Aides, lab assistants, payroll, IT, maintenance, office staff, and more.
According to Lindeman, the hospital “is always training us to care for specific types of patients, but nobody was taking care of us. That was huge for me, finally getting our union and making sure that somebody had our back.”
Lindeman says many of her colleagues are rightfully excited about the wage increases, but their first contract represents much more to her.
“I’ve been here for 21 years, and to not have a voice or a say in how we drove process to get quality was huge,” she said. “We finally have a seat at the table for safety issues, which is also huge. With the union, we’re equals. They’re no longer the boss, and we’re down below. We’re equals, and that means something.”
Additional contract highlights include a wage scale that recognizes seniority and provides guaranteed wage increases, capped annual health insurance premiums, shift differential, and a seat on the hospital’s Safety Committee. Average wage increases for year one of the contract are approximately 13.5 percent, and average increases over the life of the contract are roughly 20 percent.
Negotiations were led by USW District 1 staff representative Bryan Fisher and were supported by Tamara Lefcowitz, International Coordinator of the Health Care Workers Council.
The victory held additional significance for Fisher, as he was helping to change the lives of the dedicated health care workers in his own backyard.
“UPHS Marquette is five blocks from my house,” said Fisher. “It’s the only Level 2 trauma center in the UP of Michigan. Our goal was always to attract and retain the best employees for Marquette residents. If I get taken to this hospital, these workers will care for me. I want a team of talented, fully-trained, well-compensated medical professionals administering care to our community.”
Click here to download a printable PDF of this Action Call.
Last week, we shared important information about House Bill 238-FN, the latest attempt to pass a "Right-to-Work" law in New Hampshire. Now, it’s time to take action. On January 22, 2025, the New Hampshire House Labor Committee will hold a public hearing on this harmful bill. We must stand together, make our voices heard, and oppose this attack on workers’ rights. Whether you live in New Hampshire or live in a surrounding state, let's show that New Hampshire will not let corporate interests undermine the power of working families.
You Can Take Action in Two Powerful Ways!
#1: Attend Labor Rally and Public Hearing!
WHEN: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM
WHERE: 33 North State Street, Concord, NH 03301
NOTES: The rally will be held outside. For updates regarding the rally, please visit the Facebook Event Page. Following the rally, the group will go to the public hearing together.
#2: Tell the New Hampshire House Labor Committee to oppose HB 238-FN!
To register your position on a bill and/or submit testimony, click HERE.
STEP 1: Personal Information
STEP 2: Select Date of the Hearing
STEP 3: Select Bill
STEP 4: Upload Remote Testimony (Optional)
STEP 5: Final Review
For more information on this issue or how you can get more involved with Rapid Response, please contact District 4 Rapid Response Coordinator, Mark McDonald at mmcdonald@usw.org.
Although we summarized the election results in our November Election Connection newsletter, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the following important work USW members contributed to the election effort:
The 2024 election might not have turned out exactly how we wanted it to, but so many good things were accomplished on behalf of workers this year because we’ve helped elect pro-worker allies in local, state and federal government.
While it’s not a complete list, all of the following wins for workers were highlighted in our Election Connection newsletter over the last twelve months:
Click here for a printable PDF of this Feedback Report.
Last year, we asked you to reach out to your state legislators about addressing the deficiencies in Public Act 152. This unfair law forces us to negotiate inadequate healthcare insurance coverage just to keep premiums affordable. The result? Higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums that place an enormous financial burden on working families.
Your efforts paid off! In 2024, Michigan passed HB 6058 - a bill that begins to eliminate the arbitrary and unjust Public Act 152. It’s a massive victory for the thousands of public sector workers the USW represents - librarians, crossing guards, public school custodians, EMS workers, bus drivers, and so many others.
But the fight isn’t over. HB 6058 now needs to make it’s way to Governor Whitmer’s desk. Management groups are actively pressuring her to veto the bill because they don’t want to provide workers with the healthcare they deserve - despite record funding for schools and local governments.
If the Governor doesn’t sign this bill, healthcare cost increases expected in 2025 will fall squarely on the backs of public sector workers. We can’t let management be the only voice the Governor hears.
She needs to hear from workers—NOW. Click HERE to send a prewritten email directly to Governor Whitmer’s office. Let her know how critical it is to sign HB 6058 and protect Michigan’s public sector workers from devastating healthcare cost increases.
The solution is here. Governor Whitmer needs to finish the job and sign HB 6058 immediately. Let’s make our voices heard!
Click here for a printable PDF of this Feedback Report.
On Sunday, January 5, 2025, President Biden signed H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act into law. In November, H.R. 82 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 327 to 75. Later in December, thanks to action made by all of you, the Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 76 to 20.
The passage of the Social Security Fairness Act marks a significant victory for our USW siblings in the public sector and public employees nationwide. By eliminating the unjust Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), this achievement restores the promise of a secure and dignified retirement for those who have dedicated their lives to serving our communities. This is a powerful step toward fairness for all workers.
Click here for a printable PDF.
Today we bid farewell to the 118th U.S. Congress and welcome in the 119th. We wanted to take this moment to reflect on just a few of the remarkable achievements of 2024. Your unwavering dedication, solidarity, and tireless efforts have been the driving force behind these successes. Together, we’ve made incredible strides in protecting and advancing the values that unite us. Thank you for standing strong and advocating for workers everywhere!
Key Moments from 2024:
Empowering Workers through Collective Bargaining: In a landmark victory for workers, the Illinois Worker Freedom of Speech Act (SB 3649) was signed into law in July. This groundbreaking legislation puts an end to employer-led “captive audience” meetings aimed at undermining union organizing efforts. This achievement represents a major step forward in protecting workers' rights and strengthening the labor movement.
Championing Safety and Health: Our members in Massachusetts made their voices heard by sending over 1,100 letters to legislators, urging them to remove two dangerous amendments from an energy bill. These amendments posed a threat to the critical work of our gas workers and community safety. Thanks to this collective action, the amendments were excluded from the final legislation. While this issue may reemerge, we are prepared to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting our members and the environment.
Fighting for Job Security and Fair Trade: USW has been relentless in its fight for workers impacted by unfair trade deals and offshoring. Despite challenges, we continue to push for the reauthorization of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), which provides robust job training for workers affected by trade-related layoffs. In 2024, we brought the voices of impacted workers to Congress, advocating for action to ensure their future.
Improving Health Care Standards: April 22 marked a significant milestone when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed a regulation requiring safe staffing levels in nursing homes. This rule ensures that registered nurses (RNs) and nursing assistants (NAs) are always on duty, addressing the staffing crisis and prioritizing quality care for patients.
Securing Retirement Fairness: On December 21, the U.S. Senate passed the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) with overwhelming bipartisan support. This legislation eliminates provisions that unfairly reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for public employees. President Biden is scheduled to sign this historic bill into law on January 6, 2025.
Investing in Our Future: Throughout the year, significant federal investments through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) strengthened our communities and industries. These initiatives underscore the power of federal support in building a robust economy, and we remain committed to championing these transformative efforts.
Supporting Veterans: 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. In 2024, this legislation was passed in Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Utah, and Virginia.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2024, we also look forward with excitement and determination around the opportunities and challenges ahead. Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to advancing our core values.
Get ready to continue to stand up for workers in 2025!
This article is part of the Women of Steel "Sister Stories" series.
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When Nellie Caraballo began working for the City of Lorain, Ohio, in September 1986, she was in the early stages of rebuilding her life while going through a divorce and serving in the U.S. Army. She had a toddler to raise, and she was eager for the good wages and benefits that would help her do that. Perhaps even more importantly, she would now be able to retire with a pension and health care.
This isn’t to say her start in the public sector wasn’t without challenges. In fact, Nellie spent the first half decade dealing with daily harassment from a foreman. The experience made her dread coming into work every day, and five years in, her local union president visited Nellie in her office. He said he knew she’d been experiencing problems and wanted to know why she had never come to the union for help.
“He encouraged me to file a grievance, and I asked what that was going to do for me,” Nellie said. “He looked at me and said, ‘I’ll show you.’”
The Making of an ActivistWithin weeks, Nellie and her local president settled the dispute. Nellie was transferred to a different department and the foreman was no longer allowed to enter her office or be near her while she was there.
“This sparked my interest in the union,” said Nellie. “How did this guy come into my office and resolve within weeks what I couldn’t resolve in five years? I wanted to know what this was all about and learn whatever I could.”
This marked Nellie’s involvement and commitment to her local, a decision that would eventually evolve as she expanded her activism into the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), her Central Labor Council, and, of course, Women of Steel. Sixteen years into her career with the city, she joined the USW as a staff representative in District 1.
The Fight ContinuesNow, as a retiree, Nellie continues serving the union as a SOAR activist. But she is also holding space for the next generation of leaders, who she believes is going to play a major role in transforming the idea of justice and progress.
“Young people are out there educating themselves, and it warms my heart,” Nellie said. “They’re going to change Americans’ thinking, and I truly believe they’re going to change the world and make it more inclusive.”
Nellie said that the fights younger workers are facing are, in many ways, the same fights her generation endured.
“We’re still fighting division because there are factions that want to take us back, to erase history, so we still have to fight to just keep what we have,” she said. “We have to fight for our kids.”
Nellie also knows that there are always new fights. The one she is currently focused on is taking action on the Social Security Fairness Act.
Last month, the U.S. House passed a bill to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), both of which reduce Social Security benefits for certain retirees who also receive pension income, including public sector workers.
SOAR activists like Nellie are spreading the word and asking union members to email a pre-written statement to their senators encouraging them to support the bill, which is likely to come up for a vote before the end of December.
“This is the farthest this legislation has ever come in Congress, Nellie said. “We have very little time to act.”
Click here to download this Feedback Report as a PDF.
On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the U.S. Senate rejected the confirmations of two nominees to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) by voting 50 to 49 against current Chair Lauren McFerran and canceling the vote scheduled for Josh Ditelberg. This rejection has significant implications for the functioning and balance of the NLRB, which oversees critical issues related to labor disputes, union elections, and workers’ rights.
Click here to see how your U.S. Senators voted.
Immediate Impact:
Upcoming Challenges:
Next Steps:
• Continue to engage in Rapid Response to learn and take actions on worker related policy decisions – good or bad!
• Build relationships with your union siblings to talk about policies impacting workers and our right to collectively bargain.
Click here to download this Action Call as a PDF.
Back in July, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in Mothering Justice v. Attorney General that the Legislature violated the state constitution in 2018 by using a shady tactic known as “adopt and amend” to undermine two citizen-proposed statutes. These rulings should pave the way for significant progress — one law to raise Michigan’s minimum wage and another to guarantee paid sick leave for workers.
But right now, the Michigan House is considering two dangerous bills, HB 6056 and HB 6057, that aim to undercut this critical ruling. If passed, these bills would strip Michiganders of the wages and benefits they’ve been unfairly denied for the past six years — money and protections workers are owed by law.
The clock is ticking! With the legislative session nearing its end, anti-worker forces are rushing to push these bills through. We cannot let this happen. They must hear from YOU, loud and clear: Protect Michigan workers. Stop these harmful bills.
TAKE ACTION NOW: Your Voice is Critical!
Send an Email to Your Michigan Representative TODAY!
Click HERE to send a prewritten email to your state representative. Michigan has a proud legacy of fighting for the middle class. These bills — HB 6056 and HB 6057 — are a direct attack on that legacy and on the working people who need fair wages and benefits the most.
Don’t wait. Act now to demand justice for Michigan workers. Together, we can stop this attack on our progress.
For additional information, please contact District 1 Rapid Response Coordinator, Sue Browne at sbrowne@usw.org or 269 - 838 - 5956.
This article was originally published in the Election Connection.
Throughout 2024, particularly since Labor Day, USW members and retirees worked tirelessly to ensure our core values were on the minds of voters as they prepared to cast their ballot.
In our conversations with fellow union members, our families and community, we spoke passionately about collective bargaining, workplace safety and health, job security, domestic economic issues, health care, and retirement security.
We also did everything in our power to remind union voters of the following:
· Our union’s endorsements are a recognition of shared values. As with any election, the USW only endorsed candidates who clearly demonstrated their support for protecting and strengthening unions. If a candidate was anti-union, they didn’t get our support. It’s that simple.
· Who you vote for is a personal decision, and the central role of our member-to-member voter mobilization effort is to ensure union members and our families know which candidates share our values, as well as those who don’t.
While the union’s endorsed candidate for president, Kamala Harris, was not victorious, we are thankful for the number of USW-backed candidates who prevailed in presidential battleground states, including:
· Arizona: Voters elected Ruben Gallego to the United States Senate.
· Michigan: Voters opted to secure a labor-friendly majority to the state supreme court with the election of Kyra Harris Boulden and Kimberly Ann Thomas. Additionally, our friend Elissa Slotkin prevailed in her campaign for the U.S. Senate, along with labor-friendly candidates in competitive Congressional Districts including Hillary Scholten (MI-3), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-8), Haley Stevens (MI-11), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13).
· Nevada: Our efforts were key in securing reelection for U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, while also assuring victories for Dina Titus (CD-1), Susie Lee (CD-2) and Steven Horsford (CD-4).
· North Carolina: Union ally Josh Stein was elected Governor.
· Ohio: Voters reelected incumbent labor allies including Greg Landsman (OH-1), Joyce Beatty (OH-3), Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Emilia Sykes (OH-13). We are still awaiting the final outcome in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District where our longtime friend, Marcy Kaptur, is currently leading.
· Pennsylvania: Voters opted to keep a labor-friendly majority in the state house while also delivering victories for union-endorsed candidates including Chrissy Houlihan (CD-6) and Chris Deluzio (CD-17).
· Wisconsin: One of our closest allies in the U.S. Senate, Tammy Baldwin, prevailed in her reelection campaign while labor-friendly allies made inroads in the newly redistricted state legislature.
This is far from being a complete list of all the victories our efforts helped secure in the 2024 elections. But, we wanted to bring attention to these wins because we are proud of the tireless work of USW members who helped ensure an election outcome that will mean working people will continue to be well represented in local, state and federal government.
Click here to download this Action Call as a PDF.
Urge Your U.S. Senators to Bring the Social Security Fairness Act to a Vote Now!
Retirement is a key priority for every Steelworker, and our union fights tirelessly to protect it. Each year, nearly four million Americans retire, relying on Social Security benefits they’ve earned. However, many public employees, including thousands of Steelworkers, are denied their fair share.
What’s the issue and solution?
What is H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act?
What’s the process for passing H.R. 82 into law?
**To view USW’s International President David McCall’s letter to the Senate regarding this issue, please click
HERE
Tell Your U.S. Senators to Bring the Social Security Fairness Act to a Vote!
Click HERE (usw.to/56n) to send a prewritten email to your Senators to urge them to bring H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, to a vote before the end of the 118th Congress.
You can also call them and be directly connected by using our toll-free number below. Tell them who you are, where you are from, and to support H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act.
Senate Toll-Free Number: 1-877-607-0785
(Remember to make two calls to be connected with both your Senators.)
As most of us on Medicare know, this is the time of the year when we receive those annoying phone calls and mailings trying to get us to join a Medicare Advantage program (Medicare Part C) that will “give us the BEST benefits at little or no cost to us.”
Is there anyone who really believes that an insurance company that exists to make a profit for the owners/shareholders of the company wants to provide you with excellent coverage for little to no cost? Why would these companies hire people to call us, spend money mailing us literature, or hire actors and former athletes to make commercials to influence us to purchase their product?
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), the gross profit margin per enrollee in the Medicare Advantage market for 2023 was $1,982. This report highlights that older adults represent the largest group of healthcare consumers, generating significant revenue for insurance companies. The top five health insurance companies offering Medicare Advantage products in 2023 reported a combined profit of $44.5 billion!
Additionally, AARP states that people with Medicare will have access to an average of 15 Part D plans and 34 Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage next year. With so many choices, along with confusing terminology and high-pressure sales tactics, it’s no wonder that navigating the best plan can be frustrating.
In September, President-elect Trump mentioned that he has a "concept of a plan" for improving medical care. Hopefully, this concept addresses the findings from a study published in 2023 in JAMA Network Open, a monthly open-access medical journal published by the American Medical Association, revealing that 20 percent of older adults do not take their medications as prescribed due to cost. This plan should prevent seniors from falling into bankruptcy while trying to cover their medical expenses. It should ensure that seniors receive the prescriptions their doctors recommend rather than being limited to those that their insurance will cover. Furthermore, it should allow seniors to seek treatment at facilities of their choice rather than restricting them to those within the insurance carrier's network.
With one party poised to gain control of the government’s Executive and Legislative branches, it will be evident how committed they are to addressing these critical and often life-threatening issues, as well as their proposed solutions. In the meantime, you may be able to save money or find better coverage by shopping around and comparing different Medicare Advantage or supplemental programs to cover the costs not paid by traditional Medicare.
Note: Your SOAR Executive Board does not endorse any product or claim any plan superior to another. However, we will continue to provide information on these types of plans to the best of our ability so that our members can decide what kind of plan best suits their needs.
Please stay safe and enjoy this holiday season! And thank you for all that you do to promote and support SOAR.
-SOAR President
Bill Pienta