Community Activism

"Unions were created to make living conditions just a little better than they were before they were created, and the union that does not manifest that kind of interest in human beings cannot endure." Philip Murray (1886-1952) First President of of America 1942-1952

Our Union and its members are committed to working to improve the economic conditions in the communities where we live and work. We strive to build bridges within the labor movement and with community allies to build power for workers.

AFL-CIO Constituency Organizations

The AFL-CIO constituency organizations promote the full participation of women and minorities in the labor movement. Local union members and civil and human rights committee members are encouraged to affiliate and become involved with these organizations and other allies that further workers’ rights in our communities. See Appendix B. These organizations have local chapters.

Civil and Human Rights Committees and the Community Services Initiative

The Union’s Civil and Human Rights Community Service Initiative helps members with problems, works to make the community more responsive to the needs of workers, and builds union strength by reaching out to others committed to helping people and making our communities stronger.

At the International Civil and Human Rights Conference in 2009, International Vice President for Human Affairs Fred Redmond charged all civil rights and human rights committees with the task of working to empower and mobilize our members. Community activism enhances the USW’s image in the community and creates strategic relationships in our communities that can help improve the overall condition of working people and those in need.

Civil and human rights committees in the and Canada are an integral part of our union’s Community Service Initiative and should incorporate community service into their work and activities. Members should understand the importance of humanitarian service to the union and the community. They should be doers - active and dedicated trade unionists willing to attend meetings, mobilize workers, and work with community coalitions.

Ways to Become Involved

• Help union members and others in the community with problems • Affiliate and become participants in the AFL-CIO Constituency Organizations • Build coalitions with community groups such as, Jobs with Justice, Interfaith Worker Justice and the NAACP • Work with the United Way liaisons of local central labor councils on community projects • Coordinate assistance with strikers and unemployed workers • Work to build community support for organizing drives • Help build community support for striking and locked out workers • Lobby local, municipal, state and provincial governments for workers rights and critical legislation for working families • Organize actions and events throughout the community • Work with schools and other organizations dealing with children • Recruit members into the USW Activist Corps

Organizations and Allies

Our Union cooperates with a wide spectrum of organizations that are national or local in scope. These organizations include bodies, community, civic, civil and women’s rights, social and religious organizations. Many organizations join with the Union on legislative matters seeking greater extension of civil and human rights for all people.

Local Union Civil and Human Rights Committees are urged to participate with such organizations, including the national constituency organizations of the AFL-CIO. All have chapters in various cities across the United States, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The committee may also work with other labor, civil and women’s rights, community organizations and allies such as:

The AFL-CIO Central Labor Councils and State Federations The Canadian Labour Congress Councils Alliances for employment equity Equal pay coalitions Faith based groups Elected officials and leaders Other unions Women’s groups Civil rights groups Immigrant rights groups Student and Youth groups Neighborhood and Homeowners associations

Following are some of the organizations that have worked with our union in areas of mutual concern: (columns to condense)

• AARP • ACLU • Anti-Defamation League • Children’s Defense Fund • Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund • Human Rights Campaign • Jewish Labor Council • Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights • Leadership Council on Civil Rights • League of Women Voters • NAACP • National Caucus of Black State Legislators • National Council of La Raza • National Council of Negro Women • National Council on Senior Citizens • National Immigration Law Center • National Organization for Women • National Urban League • People for the American Way • Rainbow Push Coalition • United Way

In Canada, local union committees work through the Steelworkers Humanity Fund to provide assistance to partner organizations in countries around the world that are advancing the goals of equality, fairness and justice. Joint campaigns of women’s and human rights committees have helped raise awareness of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights, the World March of Women and the International Day for the Elimination of Racism.