Click Here to Download the PDF
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
35959_Magazine.indd 1 9/27/16 10:59 PM INSIDEUSW@WORK For decades, Hillary Clinton has stood with us when we needed her help. I believe we should stand with her now. “ International President Leo W. Gerard ” INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD Leo W. Gerard International President Stan Johnson Int’l. Secretary-Treasurer 04 12 Thomas M. Conway BUILDING BRIDGES 2016 ELECTION Int’l. Vice President USW members at Veritas Steel in Wisconsin USW members and International officers discuss (Administration) fabricate highly complex bridge structures that the 2016 election and why they support Hillary Fred Redmond are assembled to check for fit before they are Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president. Int’l. Vice President shipped to sites across the United States. (Human Affairs) Ken Neumann Nat’l. Dir. for Canada Jon Geenen 38 Int’l. Vice President 40 Carol Landry 24 42 Vice President at Large GMP MERGER SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCES Delegates to a convention of the Glass, Molders, The Health, Safety and Environment Department Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International held its 2016 conference in September. Confer- DIRECTORS Union (GMP) voted overwhelmingly to merge with ences were also held for chemical and oil workers David R. McCall, District 1 the USW. and the United Steelworkers Press Association. Michael Bolton, District 2 FEATURES ON THE COVER Stephen Hunt, District 3 Speaking Out 03 Zach Casto hard at work at the Constellium-Ravenswood Trade Watch 26 John Shinn, District 4 rolled aluminum facility. See page 08. News Bytes 46 Alain Croteau, District 5 Photo by Steve Dietz. Marty Warren, District 6 Mike Millsap, District 7 Ernest R. “Billy” Thompson, District 8 Daniel Flippo, District 9 Bobby “Mac” McAuliffe, District 10 Volume 11/No.3 Fall 2016 Emil Ramirez, District 11 COMMUNICATIONS STAFF: Official publication of the United Steelworkers Jim McKay, Editor Direct inquiries and articles for USW@Work to: Robert LaVenture, District 12 Wayne Ranick, Director of Communications United Steelworkers Communications Department Ruben Garza, District 13 Gary Hubbard, Director of Public Affairs, Washington, D.C. 60 Blvd. of the Allies Aaron Hudson and Kenny Carlisle, Designers Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Chelsey Engel, Lynne Hancock, R.J. Hufnagel, phone 412-562-2400 Jess Kamm Broomell, Tony Montana, Barbara White Stack. fax 412-562-2445 online: www.usw.org USW@Work (ISSN 1931-6658) is published four times a year by the United Steelworkers AFL-CIO•CLC 60 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Subscriptions to non-members: $12 for one year; $20 for two years. Periodicals postage paid at Pittsburgh, PA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: USW@Work, USW Membership Department, 60 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Copyright 2016 by United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO•CLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the United Steelworkers. 2 USW@Work • Fall 2016 35959_Magazine_X.indd 2 9/29/16 9:14 AM Remember the United Way violations of civil and human rights, and we cannot For more than 125 years, United Way World- allow divisive politics to threaten the unity and wide has worked for the common good by im- solidarity that make our union – and our country – proving education, financial stability and health truly great. in nearly 1,800 communities and more than 40 Dave Harvey, Local 8042 countries and territories around the world. Cabot, Pa. United Way Worldwide is making a huge impact with programs to ensure that children from ASARCO Struggle the poorest neighborhoods have the tools they need My husband retired from ASARCO Mission to succeed in life; providing vocational training Mine a few years ago and passed away last year. for men and women who desire to work but lack The union was always such a big part of his life, specific skills; standing up for human rights by even after his retirement. His brothers and sisters confronting issues like human trafficking and child were a big support for me. labor; identifying and addressing public health I was so glad to see the summer edition in my and safety concerns like access to clean water; and mailbox. I love keeping in touch with the battles bringing relief to victims of floods, earthquakes the USW takes on to support the members. I have and other disasters. continued health insurance and a pension because The limitless dedication the United Way has of the contract Bill and Local 937 members fought shown to giving our communities the resources and went on strike for. It means a great deal to me. that families need to improve their quality of life His brothers and sisters at ASARCO/Grupo gives me confidence and pride to endorse their Mexico are engaged in another protracted contract 2016 campaign and invite all USW members to battle. I wish my health permitted me to be more join the nearly three million volunteers and more active in their ongoing struggle, but I am assured than ten million individual donors who share our when I read USW@Work to know that the Interna- values and enthusiasm about helping others, espe- tional is still with them. cially when they need it most. Laura Hogan Leo W. Gerard Vail, Ariz. International President 42 ATI Struggle Not Over for All Workers Make America Great I was happy to see the article in USW@Work American workers are more productive than about the ATI/USW contract ratification and had ever, but too many families are struggling to make to comment about it. I was the president of Local ends meet. So-called right-to-work legislation has 1196-1 O&T unit, which represents salary union made it harder than ever for workers to organize members in several ATI locations, during the ne- and bargain collectively, and unfair “free” trade gotiations. I retired shortly after ratification and the has decimated entire industries that for generations return to work. provided stable incomes to support families and I can’t say enough about the USW and In- sustain communities. ternational Vice President Tom Conway and his As a result of Citizens United, the voices of staff – not only fighting and working throughout ordinary citizens have been drowned out of the the negotiations, but supporting us and bringing us political system by obscene campaign contribu- through the difficulties we faced. tions from super PACs funded by the wealthy and We stood up to the company’s outrageous powerful special interests. Overturning the deci- demands and concessions, and brought back a con- sion could require a constitutional amendment and tract we can be proud of. We truly are blessed to be will definitely need leadership from public servants part of the USW. instead of spineless politicians. Everyone, however, needs to be reminded that USW active and retired Union workers certainly did not create these the fight continues. My local was decimated by members and their problems, but we must be part of the solution. We ATI. There are still members laid off. ATI cut the families are invited to need to continue pushing for fair trade policies to salary-union staff by more than half under the “speak out” on these reverse the flow of good jobs leaving the country cover of shutting down locations, attrition, out- pages. Letters should be and infrastructure investments to rebuild our roads, sourcing, automation and protecting salary supervi- short and to the point. bridges, cities and towns with American-made sors and other personnel. We reserve the right to materials, including clean and renewable energy ATI continues to fight every attempt to get edit for length. production, and training for the high-tech jobs of members back into their union positions. They the future. continue the threat of more job losses, do not fill Mail to: In the meantime, we cannot stop fighting for positions and outsource work. The officers and USW@Work fair wages, affordable health care, safer workplaces members of 1196-1 continue to fight and need your 60 Blvd of the Allies, and retirement with dignity. Our contracts are the continued support to get those positions back. Pittsburgh PA 15222 most effective tool we have to protect each other or e-mail: from discrimination, harassment and other Mark Miecznikowski, Local 1196-1 retired [email protected] Home, Pa. USW@Work • Fall 2016 3 35959_Magazine_X.indd 3 9/29/16 9:14 AM Tom Bresina Worker Photos by Steve Dietz Terry Eckwright Dennis Wagner 4 USW@Work • Fall 2016 35959_Magazine.indd 4 9/27/16 10:59 PM he USW members at Veritas In the nearly three years with Veritas Steel in Eau Claire, Wis., are at the helm, the local has only had one part of a small, close-knit work contract-related complaint (Tio hesitates force who together help to to even call it a grievance), which was Tbuild some of the biggest and most com- resolved after a meeting of less than a plex structures in the United States. half-hour. About 125 members of Local 2138 at Another change Veritas made was to the Veritas fabrication plant create huge pay its hourly workers bonuses – outside girders, trusses and other bridge compo- of the USW collective bargaining agree- nents out of steel, piece them together to ment – each time the company reached make sure they fit, then disassemble and quarterly production goals. prepare them for shipment to construc- The overall result has been a new tion sites across the country. workplace culture – one with better em- “Sometimes we don’t even realize ployee morale, increased efficiency, and how big things are until we see them out a safer, more productive work environ- in the field,” said Pete Tio, president of ment for USW members.