Steelworker News

Contact: Cheyenne Schoen, cschoen@usw.org, 412-562-2446

Pittsburgh – University of Pittsburgh staff members today voted to become members of the United Steelworkers (USW) union and look forward to bargaining their first union contract with the school’s administration.

“Staff at Pitt have finally achieved what all workers deserve – a collective voice and the ability to take part in decisions that affect our work. It’s been a long road, but ultimately our solidarity carried us through to this historic moment,” said Emilee Ruhland, a Global Communications Strategist in the University Center for International Studies.

The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board held a mail ballot election over the past several weeks for the staff members. A strong majority voted in favor of joining the union.

“This will make Pitt a more secure workplace and a better place to get an education,” said Ruhland. “It’s a victory for the whole campus community.”

The roughly 6,300 workers will become part of the 850,000-member USW, one of the largest labor unions in North America, which has its headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh. Faculty at Pitt unionized with the USW in 2021.

“This win belongs to every staff member who stood together for a stronger, more inclusive Pitt,” said USW District 10 Director Bernie Hall, who represents about 50,000 Steelworkers in Pennsylvania. “When workers have a voice, the entire university thrives—from the classrooms to the community that calls it home.”

Approximately 2,100 Pitt graduate workers this year filed for their own union election with the USW and will vote once the PLRB sets the schedule.

The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in manufacturing, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in tech, public sector and service occupations.

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Contact: Joe Smydo, jsmydo@usw.org, 412-562-2281

PITTSBURGH — United Steelworkers (USW) District 10 Director Bernie Hall issued the following statement today following U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick’s visit to Charleroi, Pa.:

“David McCormick sunk to a new low by visiting Charleroi to exploit the closing of the Pyrex plant and the loss of hundreds of good union jobs.

 “McCormick himself has inflicted this very kind of heartache and misery on working people by cutting jobs at his own companies, teaching other employers how to outsource, and doing business with Chinese firms that undermine America’s economy and security. He’s a hypocrite who lined his pockets on the backs of ordinary Americans—and he’s unfit to stand alongside hard-working USW members.

“Sen. Bob Casey has reached out to the USW about the plant closing and continues working behind the scenes to help our members during this difficult time. He’s always by our side—fighting for manufacturing workers, standing up to trade cheaters and taking on corporate greed—and we know we can continue to rely on his support in the days to come.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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Contact: Cheyenne Schoen, cschoen@usw.org, 412-562-2446

Pittsburgh – Approximately 160 workers at Eos Energy Enterprises in Pittsburgh voted to join the United Steelworkers (USW), marking a significant step in their pursuit of stronger job security, fair wages, and improved working conditions.

Eos workers manufacture batteries used to store electricity generated from renewable sources like solar and wind energy.

The decision to unionize reflects the workers’ desire for a voice in shaping the future of their jobs in the rapidly expanding clean energy sector.

“Today’s victory at Eos is a pivotal moment for these workers who are eager to be part of this new and growing part of our economy,” said USW District 10 Director Bernie Hall, who represents about 50,000 Steelworkers in Pennsylvania. “These are the jobs of the future, and workers deserve the opportunity to shape their working conditions and secure their place in this vital industry.”

“We’re proud to be contributing to our nation’s energy future, but for that future to succeed, we need to earn fair wages and be treated with respect on the job,” said Dante Williams, an assembly operator at Eos.

“Unionizing puts our future into our own hands, and now we’re looking forward to sitting down and bargaining a fair contract.”

The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in manufacturing, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in tech, public sector and service occupations.

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Contact: R.J. Hufnagel, (412) 562-2450, rhufnagel@usw.org

(PITTSBURGH) – The United Steelworkers (USW) today joined with domestic steel producers in filing trade petitions seeking anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of corrosion-resistant, flat-rolled steel imports from nine countries.

Corrosion-resistant steel, known as CORE, is among the most important value-added flat-rolled steel products in the industry.

“CORE imports from these nine countries almost doubled from 690,000 tons in the first half of 2023 to 1.35 million tons in the first half of 2024,” said USW International President David McCall. “These imports are destroying good union jobs in the United States and causing harm to U.S. companies.

“In particular, imports from Vietnam almost quadrupled from 122,000 to 468,000 tons,” McCall said. “Vietnam is ramping up its steel industry and exports at the expense of U.S. workers, and we can’t repeat the mistakes with Vietnam that we’ve made with China in the past.”

In addition to Vietnam, the nations included in the petition are Australia, Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Corrosion-resistant steel is widely used in vehicles, appliances and construction, as well as in other industries. The U.S. market consumes an estimated 22 million tons of CORE products annually.

“In a strong economy with strong steel demand, the U.S. industry is only operating at 77 percent capacity utilization this year and has seen sharply reduced profits compared to 2022 and 2023,” McCall said. “Once again, the U.S. has become the dumping ground for excess steel capacity, and the USW will stand up against any unfair trade that hurts American workers.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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Contact: Cheyenne Schoen, cschoen@usw.org, (412) 562-2446

Pittsburgh – Workers at The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to join the United Steelworkers (USW) union, solidifying their commitment to securing better working conditions.

The newly formed unit consists of approximately 100 employees, including café staff, maintenance and housekeeping teams, groundskeepers, gift store and visitor center associates, gallery attendants, museum experience associates, docents, educators, curators, and others vital to the museum's operations.

The workers are eager to negotiate a contract that addresses key issues such as job security, fair wages, health insurance, understaffing, and respect in the workplace.

“We are the backbone of this institution, and we're excited to finally have a voice in shaping our work environment, our pay, and our benefits,” said John Payne, a groundskeeper at The Frick.

The unionization efforts began last winter, with the group announcing its intent to file for a union election on July 31.

The Frick Museums are set on the grounds of historic buildings once occupied by steel magnate Henry Clay Frick, who was infamous for his anti-union stance, notably during the Battle of Homestead, where many striking steelworkers lost their lives.

“This is a historic and symbolic victory for the labor movement, as we unionize in the very house of Henry Clay Frick, a notorious opponent of unions,” Payne continued. “In a way, this is retribution for the workers who died at Homestead.”

The USW also represents more than 500 museum employees across Pittsburgh’s four Carnegie Museums, which, as of last year, constituted the largest museum union in the United States.

“It’s an honor to welcome the dedicated staff of The Frick Museums to our union,” said Bernie Hall, USW District 10 director. “These workers are essential to providing a welcoming and enriching environment at this important cultural and historical institution. We are confident that the visitor experience will only improve as these workers gain a stronger voice at the negotiating table.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, (412) 562-2444, jkamm@usw.org

(PITTSBURGH) – The United Steelworkers union (USW) today sent a letter to the Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission strongly supporting antidumping and countervailing duty petitions the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee filed earlier this year.

“Our energy security must be rooted in American jobs,” said USW International President David McCall. “That is the only way we are truly secure. If we’re serious about meeting our energy needs and addressing the threat of climate change, we cannot allow unfairly traded solar products to choke out our domestic industry.”

The petitions, primarily against Chinese-owned companies operating in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, identify a number of entities that were previously found to engage in unfair and illegal trade practices.  

“This case is a perfect example of the kind of tactics that Chinese firms repeatedly use,” said McCall. “They target our market, they are found guilty and then they use other countries to flood our market with their unfairly and illegally priced products. Fair trade requires constant vigilance.”

USW members currently produce many of the inputs that go into solar products. The USW also reached an agreement this summer with Convalt Energy, a firm seeking to produce solar products in the United States, where the company will respect the rights of workers to form a union.

McCall noted the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to grow the domestic renewable energy sector.

“The investments we’re seeing are truly historic and will transform our energy landscape,” McCall said. “But we can’t allow China’s cheating to undermine this progress. This case is a critical part of securing our future.”

Read the USW’s letter here.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, (412) 562-2444, jkamm@usw.org

(PITTSBURGH) – The United Steelworkers union (USW) today announced an agreement with Convalt Energy mutually pledging to prioritize workers’ rights as together they work to bring solar energy manufacturing back to the United States.

“Domestic workers are more than up to the challenge of combating climate change,” said USW International President David McCall. “But as ways in which we meet our energy needs shift, we must ensure that the jobs of the future are good, community-sustaining jobs. We applaud Convalt for trusting in its workforce and taking this decisive step forward.”

USW Vice President Roxanne Brown said that this sort of arrangement demonstrates the true promise of President Joe Biden’s energy policy.

“Today’s announcement is a tribute to the Biden-Harris administration’s leadership and commitment to workers,” Brown said. “Built into the bedrock of their efforts to breathe new life into our nation’s solar industry is the idea that workers must have a voice in what comes next.”

Convalt Energy CEO Hari Achuthan said that the agreement signals his company’s commitment to the communities in which it operates.

“We are in the midst of bringing the solar manufacturing supply chain back to the United States, and given the chance, we know domestic producers can compete and win,” Achuthan said. “The Biden-Harris administration has been a great partner in this effort.

“Our most important asset will be our people, and the agreement we’ve signed with USW signals our dedication to ensuring they are able to access their rights in the workplace. Convalt’s commitment to our workers and innovation, especially in next generation solar technologies, will be a winning combination and supports the administration’s goals to create good paying jobs right here in America.”

The agreement between the USW and Convalt commits the company to refrain from pressuring or intimidating workers during their unionization efforts, ensuring a free and fair election.

“Building out our domestic solar manufacturing capacity – from production of solar cells, modules and panels to the installation, maintenance and repair of solar energy equipment – must have a Made-In-America solution,” McCall said. “We look forward to working with employers like Convalt as we ensure long-term success across this sector.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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Contact: John Arbogast, (218) 744-2757, jarbogast@usw.org

(MINNEAPOLIS) — The United Steelworkers (USW) union today announced its support for NewRange Copper Nickel’s plan to conduct a series of studies to determine whether new mining technology and sustainability developments can enhance environmental safeguards and mining performance for the company’s NorthMet project.

 “This project and projects like it are a vital part of our nation’s transition to clean energy, and will help to support a domestic supply chain of critical minerals while limiting the impact on the environment,” said USW District 11 representative John Arbogast, who works with thousands of USW members on Minnesota’s Iron Range. “The USW applauds the announcement by NewRange that it will embark on these studies.

“This announcement demonstrates that NewRange, working in partnership with the USW, is determined to improve the project beyond compliance with regards to tailings storage, efficient production, water treatment, and reduction of carbon footprint.” Arbogast said.

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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Contact: R.J. Hufnagel, (412) 562-2450, rhufnagel@usw.org

(PITTSBURGH) — United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall issued the following statement today in response to Vice President Kamala Harris’ choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate:

“Vice President Harris couldn’t have chosen a stronger champion of workers to be her running mate, and the USW applauds her decision.

“From his many years of service in Congress to his time as governor of Minnesota, Gov. Walz has fought for working families every step of the way. A former union educator, he’s enacted some of the most significant pro-worker reforms in our nation’s history.

“Gov. Walz has given more workers access to paid sick and family leave; he has made major strides in protecting workers’ health and safety on the job; he has improved standards for patients and workers at Minnesota’s nursing homes; he has strengthened union organizing and collective bargaining rights; he has expanded unemployment benefits and taken steps to protect workers from wage theft and other abuses.

“In addition, Gov. Walz understands the importance of mining and manufacturing to the economy of Minnesota and to the future of this country, and he will never stop fighting for workers across all industries.

“American workers deserve leaders who fight for them every day. For four years, we’ve been fortunate to have seen exactly that kind of leadership from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. We have no doubt Tim Walz will continue that work to move our nation forward.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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For Immediate Release: July 31, 2024
Contact: Cheyenne Schoen, cschoen@usw.org, (412) 562-2446

PUERTO RICO – Nearly 500 workers at Genera PR today voted to join the United Steelworkers (USW) union.

The newly unionized workers serve as technicians, electricians, field operators, instrumentalists, maintenance workers, and more in 17 locations across Puerto Rico. Genera PR is an independently managed subsidiary of the New York-based energy company New Fortress, Inc., which generates electricity for the entire island.

“This is a historic moment for not only the USW but also our new members at Genera PR,” said USW District 4 Director David Wasiura. “This victory has significant implications for electricity generation in Puerto Rico as well as our ability to hold companies that seek to enrich themselves by privatizing public services to account.”

Puerto Rico began privatizing the island’s power generation in 2017 after the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) declared bankruptcy. Genera PR officially took over for the Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica (AEE) on July 1, 2023. Genera refused to recognize any of the unions that represented workers at AEE.

“The transition to the private sector left us without the protection of a collective bargaining agreement,” said Stephany Resto Sierra, an electrician at the Genera PR San Juan plant. “Winning our union was a priority because uncertainty reigned here previously. Now, through our union, we’ll be able to improve our working conditions and have a say in the decisions that affect us. We now call on Genera PR to sit down with us and swiftly negotiate a fair first contract.”

“Working in the private sector brings new challenges, and the surest way for us to improve our working conditions and defend our labor rights was through securing union representation,” said Oscar Roque, a worker at Genera PR’s Palo Seco plant. “We trust that future collective bargaining will be done in good faith and for the benefit of all parties.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, (412) 562-2444, jkamm@usw.org

(PITTSBURGH) – The United Steelworkers (USW) union today proudly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

“When our union endorses a candidate, we first and foremost consider their values, and even more importantly, how they put those values into action,” said USW International President David McCall. “And Vice President Harris is a crucial part of the most pro-labor administration of our lifetimes, backing innumerable initiatives to help advance the interests of working families.”

McCall pointed to Harris’ strong record of delivering for workers during her time in office, noting that the USW enthusiastically endorsed her twice before as a vice presidential candidate.

“Vice President Harris cast the critical, tie-breaking vote when it came to securing more than a million workers’ pensions, including those of 120,000 USW members,” said McCall.

“She also was essential in the administration’s efforts to return the National Labor Relations Board to its mission of empowering working people, rather than serving the interests of wealthy corporations,” McCall said. “And her efforts chairing the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment are proving to be an essential part of the administration’s goal of helping more workers realize the benefits of union membership.”

These include more than 1,500 workers at bus manufacturer Blue Bird Corp. in Fort Valley, Ga., who now know the power of a union contract after voting in May 2023 to join the USW.

“Kamala Harris listens to working people, she understands their concerns, and she works hard to address those issues head-on, with real results,” McCall said. “We need to look no further than the fact that she has been instrumental in the administration developing this nation’s first real industrial policy in decades.

“Vice President Harris has been a true partner,” McCall said. “We look forward to continuing to work with her, and we are proud to give her our endorsement.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, (412) 562-2444, jkamm@usw.org

(PITTSBURGH) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall issued the following statement today after Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection, thanking the president for his unwavering commitment to advancing the interests of working families:

“We are deeply grateful to President Joe Biden for his lifetime of service and especially for the past three and a half years as he navigated our nation out of a deadly pandemic and put us on a path to widespread, shared prosperity.

“President Biden’s commitment to workers has never faltered. He promised that he would spearhead transformational infrastructure investments, develop a much-needed industrial policy, safeguard retirement security, strengthen workers’ access to collective bargaining, secure our broken supply chains and build healthier communities.

“And on every one of these promises, he delivered.

“Most importantly, President Biden continually sought to unify our nation, to represent the interests of all Americans, not just the wealthy few or the well connected.

“Our union thanks Joe Biden for his exemplary leadership, and we vow to carry his mission forward as we work to build a brighter future for everyone.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org

PITTSBURGH – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall today issued the following statement after the AFL-CIO executive board unanimously reaffirmed its commitment to reelecting President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris: 

“President Biden from his first day in office has been an unwavering ally in the fight for workers’ rights, advocating tirelessly for working families rather than corporate interests.

“This includes the American Rescue Plan, which restored retirement security for more than a million workers, including 120,000 USW members, who stood to lose their pensions through no fault of their own.

“The Biden-Harris administration also crucially paired transformative investments with a strong worker-centered trade policy to lay the foundation for the industrial policy our nation has long needed, fostering an environment in which our domestic industries can thrive and the jobs of the future are good, union jobs.

“We need elected officials who share our values, and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have proven time and again that they prioritize working Americans. Looking to the future, the choice is clear: we need a second Biden-Harris term.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, mining, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service, public and health care sectors and higher education. For more information: www.usw.org.

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Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org   

PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers union (USW) today commended the Biden administration’s proclamation strengthening rules for steel and aluminum to qualify for trade benefits between the United States and Mexico. 

The proclamation requires that steel be “melted and poured” in North America and aluminum be “smelted and cast” not in countries of concern to qualify for zero tariffs when traded between the two countries under the Section 232 relief measures.

“President Biden’s actions today are yet another example of his support for domestic steel and aluminum workers,” said USW International President David McCall. “The president is helping to close loopholes in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that allowed for foreign steel and aluminum to enter the United States through Mexico without significant value being created in that country.  

“From infrastructure investments to Buy America enhancements to raising tariffs on China to direct investments in these industries to today’s proclamation, President Biden has a long record of support for steel and aluminum.”

McCall said that global overcapacity and surging imports remain an ongoing concern and that the U.S. market continues to be a be a target for predatory and unfairly traded shipments of basic steel and aluminum products.

“We’re grateful that the president takes this threat seriously and continues fighting to achieve a level playing field for American workers,” McCall said.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, mining, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service, public and health care sectors and higher education. For more information: www.usw.org.

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Contact: Joe Smydo, jsmydo@usw.org, 412-562-2281

United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall issued the following statement today praising the heat standard proposed by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“President Joe Biden’s administration has come through for workers once again with groundbreaking protections for Americans exposed to deadly temperatures on the job.

“OSHA’s proposed standard contains common-sense safeguards, including regular rest breaks and hydration, that will not only save lives but prevent countless illnesses and injuries. While unions regularly negotiate these kinds of protections for their members, the new standard would set a high national bar and expand coverage for millions more workers at a time when the country is experiencing record heat waves triggered by climate change.

“Workers deserve to return home safely at the end of their shifts each day, and advancing the heat standard is the latest in a series of Biden administration actions to ensure that they do. Like the administration’s new ‘walkaround rule’ for workplace inspections and the new silica standard for miners, the heat standard represents a crucial victory for working families.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, mining, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service, public and health care sectors and higher education. For more information: www.usw.org.