Economic/Political Articles
United Steelworkers' efforts play role in House’s OK of cap-and-trade bill
For more than a month, the phone bank at “War Room Central” at the United Steelworkers headquarters Downtown had been abuzz with promises of green-collar jobs. Steel mills would be pumping out turbine blades to spin the wind, coal plants would get money to retrofit existing technologies. Such are the promises of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, approved June 26 by the House of Representatives. If the union’s internal count is correct, its thousands of phone calls to union members in eight undecided … more

 

Globilization Sinking the US?
With a national deficit over $11 trillion, a recession and wars in the Middle East, the United States is not exactly at the height of it's power.  Times is a-changing and the world has become a much smaller place.  A trade deficit of $29.2 billion, with over half that going to China, has proven free trade is not necessarily fair trade. Proof of this is the petition filed in April with the International Trade Commission (ITC) by the United Steelworkers asking the Obama administration to cap a large surge of consumer tire imports from China. On June 18th, the … more

 

Labor's Last Stand
The corporate campaign to kill the Employee Free Choice Act
On a Monday morning this past April, a few dozen Arkansans from that state's Chamber of Commerce could be found holing up in a Marriott hotel in Crystal City, Virginia, less than a mile from Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport. They assembled in the hotel's Jefferson Ballroom, on one wall of which hangs a portrait of the third president standing before a giant Declaration of Independence. Despite the early hour, the visitors were cheerful, sipping from big Starbucks cups as they gathered up political literature and hard candies … more

 

Combative Union Leader Steps From the Shadows
Richard Trumka, the secretary-treasurer of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., can boast of something unusual for a labor leader - one of his videos has more than 535,000 hits on YouTube. That video shows Mr. Trumka giving a stemwinder of a speech at a steel workers’ convention last year, telling union members it would be wrong - and stupid - to vote against Barack Obama because of his race. “There’s no evil that’s inflicted more pain and more suffering than racism - and it’s something we in the labor movement have a special responsibility … more

 

Jobless Figures Pose Social, Political Threat for Obama, Dems
A month ago, when the jobless rate was edging toward 9 percent, it was clear that the most serious challenge facing the Obama administration was rising unemployment. Unfortunately, Obama's pretty-close-to-clueless economic team peddled the absurd spin that because the rate of increase in the official total of out-of-work Americans had slowed somewhat in May the current recession might be easing. That happy talk dulled the sense of urgency, and the White House let another month pass without focusing seriously. That was … more

 

Steelworker Articles
Vale Inco Strike Imminent: Union Official – District 6
With no movement on the bargaining table during the weekend, it’s looking like pickets will be going up at Vale Inco on July 12. “I think a strike is imminent,” said Wayne Fraser, United Steelworkers District 6 director. “Unfortunately ... they haven’t changed position since April.” The negotiating team for Vale Inco Ltd. presented United Steelworkers Locals 6500 and 6200 (Port Colborne) with the company’s settlement proposal Friday. The deadline for an agreement is July 12 — an extension agreed upon by both parties when the contract … more

 

Day of Caring a Big Success – District 4
On June 24, 300 people from 42 local businesses volunteered in Steuben and Chemung counties to help local non-profit organizations complete needed projects that will benefit the lives of people in this community. The volunteers gave 100 percent. We wish to commend them for taking the time to answer the call to "LIVE UNITED." We would also like to thank the nearly 30 agencies who participated in this year's event. The Day of Caring experience gives agencies the opportunity to finish meaningful tasks and provides volunteers a … more

 

ArcelorMittal Restart Returns Employees To Work – District 7
Shifts in operations at ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor East will return some employees to work at the plant, but leave some without work within the next month. United Steelworkers Local 1010 President Tom Hargrove said it's good the company decided to restart its No. 5 blast furnace July 20. He said about all of the employees who were laid off because of the idling in production have been brought back this week. The furnace was idled last fall. Hargrove said it's difficult to say whether the restart is just a "blip on the screen" of economic … more

 

Steel Mill Set To Shut Down Indefinitely July 12 – District 9
Steel mill union officials last week rejected pay cuts and other concessions that mill owners had said could help stave off the indefinite shutdown planned for July 12. Three committee members of the United Steelworkers 7898, Georgetown Steel manager Marcio Van der Put and the mill's attorney met Monday, said union President James Sanderson. Plant officials asked for a $3.65-an-hour pay cut, but did not promise the pay would be restored to former levels in the future, Sanderson said. "At the present time, the membership wants … more