a message from michael bolton - usw.org h. bolton, director march, 2017 • volume 7, issue 3, page...
TRANSCRIPT
MICHAEL H. BOLTON, DIRECTOR
MARCH, 2017 • VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3, PAGE 1
USW District 2USW District 2USW District 2 Council Steering CommitteeCouncil Steering CommitteeCouncil Steering Committee
The District 2 Council By-Laws established a District 2 Council Steering Committee comprised of a rank and file structure. It was set up to assist in the following:
Development of agenda for Council Conference.
● Planning of the District Council Conference Educational Conferences.
● District 2 strategic planning.
● Determining and assessing educational needs within the District.
Generating and leading activism and other purposes consistent with the mission and directives of District 2 and the USW.
The elected members of the Steering Committee are listed below by manufacturing sector. If you need to contact a Steering Committee Member, please do so by using the email provided below.
NameNameName LU#LU#LU# SectorSectorSector Email AddressEmail AddressEmail Address
Hawley Warren 1299 Steel and Related
Dennis DeMeyer Jr. 2-15 Paper [email protected]
Kevin Bishop 1533 Amalgamated [email protected]
Jesse Edwards 2-232 Automotive Related
Kent Holsing 12075 Chemical &
Energy Related [email protected]
Mary Jane Holland 9184 Health Care [email protected]
John Mendyk 12934 Public [email protected]
Dave Page 1327 At Large [email protected]
Margaret Newton 5965 At Large [email protected]
Jim Whitt 2-145 Allied Industrial [email protected]
DISTRICT 2 CONTACT IDISTRICT 2 CONTACT IDISTRICT 2 CONTACT INFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATION
USW District 2 Office 1244A Midway Road Menasha, WI 54952 (920) 722-7630
Northern WI & MI Sub-District Office 1244A Midway Road Menasha, WI 54952 (920) 722-7630
Southern WI Sub-District Office 1126 South 70th Street Suite N509A West Allis, WI 53214 (414) 475-4560
Northern MI Sub-District Office 503 North Euclid Avenue Suite #10 - Euclid Plaza Bay City, MI 48706 (989) 667-0660
Southern MI Sub-District Office 20600 Eureka Road, Suite 300 Taylor, MI 48180 (734) 285-0367
— Continued on Page 2 —
costs at a time when they can least afford them. One of the things that Ryan and his bunch are bragging about is that Ryancare will create easier access to health insurance. However, the one thing they fail to mention is that because the bill eliminates regulations (laws that keep premiums in check), coverage will become unaffordable. Ryancare will also force workers to stay on the job longer. Under Ryancare, the age of eligibility for Medicare will be raised to 67 by the year 2020. That means two more years on the job because retirement without Medicare is simply not affordable for millions of Americans. Next, Ryancare increases the number of Americans who would be subject to means testing to determine premium co-pays. Currently, a single person earning $85,000 per year or a couple with a $170,000 annual income pays higher premiums for Part B and D coverage, which results in about 5% of total recipients paying more. However, Speaker Ryan wants to increase the number of retirees falling under means testing to 25%. That would result in middle class retirees with an annual pension of $47,000 being forced to pay higher premiums. Finally, changes to Medicaid block grants and per capita caps and would lead to cuts in health care payments to states. In order to offset the lost funds, states would either have to increase taxes, limit eligibility to Medicaid and/or cut or limit benefits the program offers, meaning millions of American seniors would lose basic health care and nursing home benefits But remember, this isn’t about offering Americans affordable, quality health care. To emphasize that point, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that if the bill was passed today, 14 million Americans would lose their health insurance coverage by the end of next year. That number grows to 24 million by the end of 2016. Keep in mind that the Director of the CBO, who supervised the calculations of Ryancare’s projected costs, was handpicked by Speaker Ryan. Now, if Paul Ryan can do all that to his mother and grandmother, just imagine how bad the rest of the bill is for the folks he doesn’t know! One last point on Ryancare. Because Donald Trump has stated that he wants to be the “Greatest jobs president that God has ever created”, he has to come to the realization that health insurance is a jobs issue. How is that true? We compete in a global market and all the nations we compete with offer their citizens (workers) some sort of government-provided health
A Message from Michael Bolton
is published by the
United Steelworkers District 2 AFL-CIO·CLC
MICHAEL H. BOLTON, Director 1244A Midway Rd., Menasha, WI 54952
(920) 722-7630
Contributors to this issue include:
Lori Gutekunst, Jay McMurran, Tammy Duncan, Steve Donovan, Linda Lucas, Jenny Van Schyndel,
Tonya DeVore, Elizabeth Laux, Michael Pyne, Steve Benoit, USW Media Dept.,
History Channel.com, UnionReview.com
Articles and photos are welcome and should be sent to:
Art Kroll, Editor, District 2 News 20600 Eureka Road, Suite 300, Taylor, MI 48180
[email protected] • 734-285-0367
April 15, 2017, is the deadline for submissions for the next issue.
The United Steelworkers International Union is holding its Constitutional Convention next month and I am proud to say that District 2 will be well represented again this year. The convention is being held in Las Vegas and while we hope you get a chance to take advantage of the sites and activities the city
offers, I encourage each delegate to attend every session of the convention. A lot of important business, which will determine the policies and direction of our Union for the next three years, will be decided during the week. It’s important that each Local is present to ensure that your members’ voices are heard. I would also encourage each Local to select a delegate to take notes during the proceedings and give a convention report at your next general membership meeting. There are two reasons for that. First, it demonstrates that we really do have a democratic Union that listens to its members and lets them have a real voice in its future. Second, your report could pique a member’s interest and cause them to get involved. When the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was passed in 2010, we knew future legislatures would have to revisit the Act to make improvements to the plan. We viewed the ACA as a foot in the door toward eventually becoming a type of “Medicare for All” single payer program. However, Republicans in the U.S. House, led by Paul Ryan, have other ideas. They are revisiting Obamacare and they aren’t doing it to make it better or to even replace it – they are going in for the kill. As Ryan and several of his heartless minions have said repeatedly, “This isn’t about offering insurance, it’s about saving money.” Not only are they out to kill Obamacare, they are going to hurt a lot of hard working people in the process. Because this is a Republican authored bill, it has to include tax cuts for the rich. And the American Health Care Act does just that. In fact, Ryancare raids Medicare to the tune of $275 billion to give a big gift to the very wealthy. And what do seniors get in return? According to the Steelworker supported Alliance for Retired Americans, which opposes the Ryan bill, seniors would no longer receive traditional Medicare benefits. Instead, they would get a coupon to purchase a traditional Medicare or private insurance plan. The coupon would not come close to paying for the level of benefits Medicare currently offers. As a result, older Americans would be forced to pay more out of pocket
MARCH, 2017 • VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3, PAGE 2
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www.facebook.com/USWDistrict2
United Steelworkers District 2 AFL-CIO·CLC
MICHAEL H. BOLTON, Director, 1244A Midway Road, Menasha, WI 54952 (920) 722-7630
care program. In the U.S., employers provide the bulk of our health care insurance coverage. That means that our employers are trying to compete with a deck that is stacked against us. Unless the U.S. joins the rest of the world and adopts a single payer program, our competitors will continue taking our jobs and beating us on the world stage.
Last month, Donald Trump announced he was pulling the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This month, he told us that he advised the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to ignore future World Trade Organization (WTO) trade rulings against the U.S. Those actions could be good for working families, depending on his agenda going forward. Are his concerns trade issues that affect workers? Or, is he holding out for corporate matters such as patent life and property rights protections? Until he shows his hand on trade philosophy, I am going to withhold judgment of the President on this issue.
However, if he continues to side with the anti-Union right wing of his party, it doesn’t matter what position he takes on trade, he is going to be an anti-worker President to me. We already know by his comments during the 2016 campaign, that Mr. Trump “Loves Right to Work”.
And while Trump supporters are ready to dismiss that as election time rhetoric, think again. Trump met with Scott Walker several weeks ago and apparently got an earful from the Wisconsin governor on legislation to weaken public sector. Walker’s flight out of town wasn’t even in the air yet, when Congressional Republicans introduced HR-1364 and HR-1259. Both bills severely hamper public Unions’ ability to represent their members. HR-1364 is a government-wide bill that would revoke a Union’s ability to represent its members in matters related to wrongful discharge, discipline, harassment and intimidation.
HR-1259 applies to represented workers employed by the Veterans Administration. It eliminates a worker’s right to file a grievance to address job eliminations, demotions and suspensions. It also gives agency officials the power to take back compensation already earned and shortens the time period grievants have to prepare wrongful termination cases.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is asking Union activists to call their Senators and Representatives to urge them to oppose both of these anti-Union bills. To make it easier for Unionists to make calls, the AFGE has set up a special “Hot Line”. The number is 1-855-976-5397. Make the call now and let’s show our brothers and sisters of the public sector that Steelworkers support strong, free Unions for every worker.
Did you know?
The Union Plus Credit Card program.
With 3 card choices - designed to meet the needs of union members. All with competitive rates, U.S. based customer service and more. Plus, exclusive hardship grants for eligible cardholders*.
The Union Plus Credit Card Program is designed to meet the needs of hard-working union members and their families.
To apply by phone, call: 1-800-522-4000
Not So Funny Cartoons
A Message from Director Bolton — continued
March 4, 1933: Frances Perkins is appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as Secretary of Labor. Legislation brought about under her administration included the National Labor Relations Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Social Security Act. Perkins was the first woman Cabinet member and worked in that position for twelve years.
March 25, 1911: A fire breaks out on the top floors of the Triangle Waist Company’s Asch Building in New York City. Unable to escape because they had been locked in by their employer, 146 workers died, most of them young immigrant women. The tragedy inspired a movement for workplace safety and a crackdown on sweatshops
JUNE
5–6 Sub-District Local Union Leadership Training (NMI) Great Hall Banquet & Convention Center, 5121 Bay City Road • Midland, MI
7–8 Sub-District Local Union Leadership Training (SMI) Village & Conference Center, 1645 Commerce Park Drive • Chelsea, MI
20 WOS Quarterly Meeting Ronn Hall (USW Local 4950 Hall), 1206 Baldwin Avenue • Negaunee, MI
26–27 Sub-District Local Union Leadership Training (NWI) Riverwalk Hotel, 123 E. Wisconsin Avenue • Neenah, WI
28–29 Sub-District Local Union Leadership Training (SWI) Clarion Hotel & Conference Center Milwaukee Airport • 5311 S. Howell Ave • Milwaukee, WI
JULY
29–30 Public and Health Care Sectors Educational Conference Great Hall Banquet & Convention Center, 5121 Bay City Road • Midland, MI
SEPTEMBER
10–15 WOS Leadership Development Course - Levels 1 & 2 Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, 730 S. Main Street • Frankenmuth, MI
OCTOBER
3 Presidents Meeting (9:00 - noon) Next Generation Meeting (1:00 - 3:30) Teamsters Local 7 Hall, 3330 Miller Road • Kalamazoo, MI
4 Presidents Meeting (9:00 - noon) Next Generation Meeting (1:00 - 3:30) Local 12075 Hall, 3510 James Savage Road • Midland, MI
5 Presidents Meeting (9:00 - noon) Next Generation Meeting (1:00 - 3:30) USW Local 1299 Hall,11424 W. Jefferson Avenue • River Rouge, MI
16–18 Biennial Wisconsin Legislative Conference The Madison Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton Street • Madison, WI
23–25 Biennial Michigan Legislative Conference Radisson Hotel Lansing at the Capitol, 111 N. Grand Avenue • Lansing, MI
30 Presidents Meeting (9:00 - noon) Next Generation Meeting (1:00 - 3:30) Ronn Hall (USW Local 4950 Hall), 1206 Baldwin Avenue • Negaunee, MI
31 Presidents Meeting (9:00 - noon) Next Generation Meeting (1:00 - 3:30) Fraternal Order of Eagles, 1104 S. Oak Avenue • Marshfield, WI
NOVEMBER
1 Presidents Meeting (9:00 - noon) Next Generation Meeting (1:00 - 3:30) Lucky Dog’z Labor Temple, 157 S. Green Bay Road • Neenah, WI
2 Presidents Meeting (9:00 - noon) Next Generation Meeting (1:00 - 3:30) Milwaukee Area Labor Council, 633 S. Hawley Road • Milwaukee, WI
6–10 Sub-District Local Union Leadership Training (Wisconsin) Dates and locations to be determined.
27– 1 Sub-District Local Union Leadership Training (Michigan) Dates and locations to be determined.
MARCH, 2017 • VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3, PAGE 3
This schedule is designed to assist in planning this year’s events. However, there is a possibility dates and/or locations cThis schedule is designed to assist in planning this year’s events. However, there is a possibility dates and/or locations coulould change due to unforeseen circumstances. Please watch your mail and email for notices as each event draws near. An upd change due to unforeseen circumstances. Please watch your mail and email for notices as each event draws near. An up--toto--date date calendar can be found on our calendar can be found on our websitewebsite and will be published monthly in our electronic newsletter.and will be published monthly in our electronic newsletter.
JANUARY
18 WOS Quarterly Meeting USW Local 2-21 Hall, 1201 Sheridan Road • Escanaba, MI
18 WOS Quarterly Meeting USW Local 2-148 Hall, 1201 Gillingham Road • Neenah, WI
27 WOS Quarterly Meeting Kronenwetter Village Hall, 1582 Kronenwetter Drive • Kronenwetter, WI
27 WOS Quarterly Meeting Milwaukee Labor Council Building, 633 S. Hawley Road • Milwaukee, WI
FEBRUARY
6 LM Review Session USW Local 2-21 Hall, 1201 Sheridan Road • Escanaba, MI
7 LM Review Session Kronenwetter Village Hall, 1582 Kronenwetter Drive • Kronenwetter, WI
8 LM Review Session Lucky Dog’z Labor Temple, 157 S. Green Bay Road • Neenah, WI
9 LM Review Session Milwaukee Labor Council Building, 633 S. Hawley Road • Milwaukee, WI
28 LM Review Session USW Local 12075 Hall, 3510 James Savage Road • Midland, MI
MARCH
1 LM Review Session Bungalow Restaurant, 1100 28th Street • Manistee, MI
2 LM Review Session Teamsters Local 7 Hall, 3330 Miller Road • Kalamazoo, MI
3 LM Review Session USW Dist. 2 Southern MI, 20600 Eureka Road, Suite 300 • Taylor, MI
10 WOS Quarterly Meeting USW Dist. 2 Southern MI, 20600 Eureka Road, Suite 300 • Taylor, MI
16 WOS Quarterly Meeting USW Local 12075 Hall, 3510 James Savage Road • Midland, MI
27 WOS Quarterly Meeting Kent Ionia Labor Council, 918 Benjamin Avenue • Grand Rapids, MI
28 WOS Quarterly Meeting Old Morton Federal Credit Union, 516 Kosciusko • Manistee, MI
APRIL
10–13 USW Constitutional Convention MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South • Las Vegas, NV
12 WOS Quarterly Meeting USW Local 2-148 Hall, 1201 Gillingham Road • Neenah, WI
21 WOS Quarterly Meeting Milwaukee Labor Council Building, 633 S. Hawley Road • Milwaukee, WI
28 WOS Quarterly Meeting American Legion Hall, 327 W. Wisconsin Avenue • Tomahawk, WI
MAY
9 Presidents Meeting/Next Generation Meeting (9:00 – noon) Teamsters Local 7 Hall, 3330 Miller Road • Kalamazoo, MI
10 Presidents Meeting/Next Generation Meeting (9:00 – noon) USW Local 12075 Hall, 3510 James Savage Road • Midland, MI
11 Presidents Meeting/Next Generation Meeting (9:00 – noon) USW Local 1299 Hall,11424 W. Jefferson Avenue • River Rouge, MI
22 Presidents Meeting/Next Generation Meeting (9:00 – noon) Ronn Hall (USW Local 4950 Hall), 1206 Baldwin Avenue • Negaunee, MI
23 Presidents Meeting/Next Generation Meeting (9:00 – noon) Fraternal Order of Eagles, 1104 S. Oak Avenue • Marshfield, WI
24 Presidents Meeting/Next Generation Meeting (9:00 – noon) Lucky Dog’z Labor Temple, 157 S. Green Bay Road • Neenah, WI
25 Presidents Meeting/Next Generation Meeting (9:00 – noon) Milwaukee Area Labor Council, 633 S. Hawley Road • Milwaukee, WI
2017 District 2 Calendar of Events2017 District 2 Calendar of Events
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION - USW DISTRICT 2 MEETING UPDATE
Conven on Registra on ‐ Saturday, April 8 ‐ noon un l 6:00 p.m. ‐ Sunday, April 9 ‐ 10:00 a.m. un l 6:00 p.m.
District 2 Mee ng ‐ Sunday, April 9 at 4:00 p.m. ‐ Must a end mee ng to pick up your District 2 shirt and delegate/observer gi . ‐ Hospitality will follow the mee ng for District 2 delegates and guests, with drinks served at 6:30 p.m.
Delegates/observers are encouraged to register for the Conven on before a ending the District 2 mee ng ‐ this is where the mee ng loca on will be provided.
MARCH, 2017 • VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3, PAGE 4
Getting to Know Your District 2 Council Steering Committee
The District 2 Steering Committee has many functions as listed in the sidebar of the first page of this newsletter. But, you may be asking yourself, who are these elected members? Where do they work? What do they do? To help answer these questions, USW District 2 Director Michael Bolton has set aside a column in the D2 News to do just that starting in the January 2017 issue and continuing until we highlight each and every one on the District 2 Council Steering Committee.
Let’s start with an excerpt of the District 2 By-Laws, which state:
ARTICLE XI - DUTIES OF THE DISTRICT 2 COUNCIL STEERING COMMITTEE
A. This District 2 Council Steering Committee shall assist in the following: ● Development of agenda for Council Conference ● Planning of the District Council Conference and Political/Educational Conferences ● District 2 Strategic Planning ● Determining and assessing educational needs within the District ● Generating and leading activism and other purposes consistent with the mission and directives of District 2 and the USW
B. The District 2 Council Steering Committee will normally meet biannually. C. The District 2 Council Steering Committee is expected to be present at the District 2 Council Conference.
D. Once elected, the District 2 Council Steering Committee will meet to elect 2 Co-Chairs and a Secretary. The District Director or his designee shall preside over the committees as Chairperson.
This month, we will be featuring Jesse Edwards - Auto Related Sector
My name is Jesse Edwards and I represent the Auto Related Sector on the Steering Committee. I have worked at Briggs & Stratton for 38 years where I’ve held the positions of inspection, hoist operator, machine operator and assembly.
I’ve also been the local union president of Local 2-232 for the past seven years; and prior to that, I held the positions of steward, vice president and chief steward since 1991. I also graduated from Leadership Training and have been a delegate to many District 2 conferences and international conventions.
I am part of an amalgamated local union representing SEIU Healthcare WI, Briggs & Stratton and the Strattec Security Corp. The Strattec unit spanned off from Briggs & Stratton in 1995 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Strattec is one of the world’s largest producers of automotive locks and keys. Strattec designs, develops, manufactures and markets mechanical locks, electronically enhanced locks, keys and ignition lock housings, steering columns, latches and related products.
The Union gives us a voice at work and it also provides an opportunity for us to get involved. Thank you for allowing me to represent you for the Auto Related Sector.
If you are in this sector and wish to inquire or have any questions about this sector, please feel free to contact Jesse Edwards at (414) 257-1041 or email: [email protected].
USW Local 9998 takes the Challenge in a Food Drive - And the Real Winner is the St. Thomas Food Pantry
For the entire month of February, the Cheboygan Area Schools (CAS) and the members of United Steelworkers Local 9998 along with the CAS Administration challenged the Cheboygan Area Education Association (CAEA) members and secretaries to a food drive competition. This contest was for bragging rights only as the real winners are the local families
served by the St. Thomas Food Pantry. A total of 436 pounds of food was donated and $375 in cash from both teams. Each dollar donated is also equal to one pound of food. The winning team was USW Local 9998 and CAS Administration with 326 pounds of food and $200 in cash vs. the Cheboygan Area Education Association members and secretaries with 110 pounds of food and $175 in cash!
John Walsh of USW Local 2659 S.O.A.R. Chapter 29-4 retired from his position of Recording Secretary with over 20 plus years as an Executive Board officer.
MARCH, 2017 • VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3, PAGE 5
USW Marks International Women’s Day, Affirms Commitment to Equal Rights
For Immediate Release: March 8, 2017
More information, contact: Jess Kamm Broomell (412) 562-2446, [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (Pittsburgh, PA) – The following statement was released today by United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard in recognition of International Women’s Day:
“The USW is proud to honor International Women’s Day and the generations of women who fought for social and economic justice throughout the world.
“It should go without saying in 2017 that women deserve dignity and respect in the workplace, that they are entitled to equal pay for equal work, that access to affordable health care is a right rather than a privilege, and that all people are entitled to bodily autonomy.
“Yet, too often women’s labor is still viewed as secondary to men’s, and women’s contributions continue to be overlooked. The wage gap persists, and Republicans in Washington and in statehouses across the country continue to repudiate common sense measures that would help guarantee workplace fairness.
“These attacks on minimum wage, health care, education, pay equality and other vital issues, while threatening all workers, disproportionately hurt women, just as public rhetoric, even coming from the highest reaches of our government, continues to demean, belittle and objectify women.
“As union members, we realize that there is no justice until there is justice for all.
“This International Women’s Day, the USW is redoubling its commitment not only to commemorating the brave women who came before us, but to fighting for true equality both in and outside the workplace.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.
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International Women’s Day “Teach-in for Democracy” at Lawrence University, Appleton, WI — Jenny Van Schyndel
Lawrence University, located in Appleton, Wisconsin, hosts monthly teach-ins free to their staff, students and the general public. Matty Wegehaupt, instructor of Freshman Studies, Gender Studies and East Asian Studies explained, “The purpose of the teach-ins is to mobilize Lawrence resources to build better relationships within and beyond our campus to better understand and act on the pressing matters of our time.” For the month of March, the teach-in put a focus on Women’s Issues. Wegehaupt said that globalizing perspectives on women’s lives, struggles and successes was one of the primary goals for the teach-in for International Women’s Day. “We want to inform ourselves, debate and organize around topics of critical interest to women. We want to energize all members of the Lawrence community to take responsibility for educating ourselves about the world and shaping our collective futures”. Presenters for this day-long session included Irene Strohbeen from the League of Women Votes, various Lawrence University faculty including Kimberly Barrett (Vice President of Inclusion and Diversity Affairs), and USW District 2 Administrative Assistant Jenny Van Schyndel.
Jenny was the first presenter of the day and discussed women in labor unions in the United States. Below is the speech in its entirety presented to the Lawrence University attendees:
Good morning, everyone. My name is Jenny Van Schyndel, and I am here from the United Steelworkers International Union. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the labor movement, a union is a group of people coming together to improve their work lives through collective bargaining. So…what does that actually mean? Basically, if you are a member of a union, you have the opportunity to meet and negotiate with your employer over any issues that affect you and your job, including wages, benefits, and working conditions. A union contract is a legally binding document where these agreements are put into writing. Having a union gives you a stronger voice in the workplace.
Throughout history, the labor movement has helped to pave the way for many of the workplace protections we continue to benefit from today - the minimum wage, the 40-hour work week, overtime pay, and adequate health and safety. Without unions, these protections and policies could easily disappear.
— Continued on Page 6 —
MARCH, 2017 • VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3, PAGE 6
My introduction to the labor movement began at an early age. My grandfather and father were strong leaders within their unions, and I quickly learned the benefits of living in a union family. My dad worked at the same facility for his entire career. For 40 years, he worked under a union contract and was employed at what is now the Georgia-Pacific paper mill in Green Bay. During his time there, he held numerous positions within the local union, including Steward and Chief Steward, and was also a member of the bargaining committee. During my childhood, I remember many phone calls during dinner time that my dad would get up to take from members at his plant in regard to issues concerning discipline, safety, benefits, and those looking for updates of current contract negotiations. My dad took every call; he knew the importance of having a voice in the workplace, and it was his passion to ensure that every other member he represented had the same.
Because of the union contract he worked under, my dad was able to provide my family with a strong middle-class lifestyle. My mom was able to stay at home with my sister and me, and only went back to work once I went to high school. My father’s membership in the union gave him peace of mind when it came to making ends meet, having insurance, and being able to prepare for retirement when the time came.
When I was 18, and in my senior year of high school, I decided that I was going to apply to work at the mill with my dad as summer help, before heading off to college in the fall. My parents were a bit apprehensive, as they are typical parents - overprotective when it comes to their kids - but I finally convinced them that I would be careful, and besides - the money I would earn would put a nice dent in the student loans I was taking out.
Like most people who have never worked in a mill type setting, I probably wasn’t prepared for what it really entailed. It’s loud. It’s dirty. It’s dusty. The hours are long. The machinery is so much larger than you imagine. You have to be cautious and on your toes ALL. THE. TIME. Safety is the number one priority in that type of environment; one misstep could get you injured or killed. But…if you can hack it, you will have access to family-supporting wages and benefits. Other employees will tell you - it’s not glamorous, but it’s a good living.
I worked three summers for Georgia-Pacific while in college. It was an experience that clearly illustrated the sense of family-like atmosphere that I would be searching for in future employment; there was a strong sense of everyone having your back. For any one that knows me, you may have noticed that the experience also greatly improved my four-letter word vocabulary and inappropriate joke telling skills.
Prior to my senior year of college, I was encouraged to apply for a summer internship with the United Steelworkers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was accepted, and was given a position in our Political Department. This opportunity afforded me the chance to see firsthand how unions fight to elect candidates who will support their members and their members’ livelihoods. It also allowed me to see the jobs that other departments within the building performed to improve the lives of its members. When you belong to a union, those you work with are your brothers and sisters - you look after one another and you stand together.
The following summer, I again was offered an internship with the USW. As that summer drew to a close, I was offered a position in the Menasha, Wisconsin office near my home. This organization had made an impact on me, both as a dues-paying member in my summers during college, as well as through my time working at our International Headquarters. I welcomed the opportunity to work for our members in whatever capacity necessary.
I have held my current position in our International since 2008. As a clerical employee, it is my responsibility to perform primarily secretarial jobs and functions. That being said, every day my job is different, and I thoroughly enjoy getting to assist our members.
I am also a proud member of USW Local 3657. Within my local, I have held the positions of Outside Guard, Steward, Grievance Chair, Trustee, and am a member of the bargaining committee. Through these positions, I am able to serve the other members of my local. If there are questions or concerns, I am able to act as a resource.
Our Union represents women and men in a variety of sectors - Aluminum, Chemical, Construction, Copper, Foundries, Glass, Healthcare, Lumber, Metal, Fabrication, Nuclear, Paper, Public Service, Rubber, Plastics, Transportation, Utilities, and of course, Steel.
Recent statistics note that today, 45% of all union members are women, and that number continues to rise. It is believed that by 2025, the majority of union members in the United States will be female. The reasoning for this trend varies, but could possibly be the result of changes in male-dominated sectors (a large number of manufacturing jobs have been lost), and a push in some traditionally female occupations to unionize.
That being said, despite women’s growing share of union jobs, women still are not as likely to hold high leadership roles in unions. Within my own organization, of the 20 members on the Executive Board, one is female. Clearly, we have a long way to go.
As the makeup of our members change, so must we. Unions must work to champion causes that are especially important to women and families, including equal pay, paid sick days/paid leave, affordable child care and elder care, and a higher minimum wage. In order to continue this trend, we need women in leadership positions fighting for these issues, both at the local level, and the national/international level.
The benefits women receive from belonging to a union are all-encompassing.
Benefit #1 - Unions are closing the pay gap between men and women. Women in union jobs make approximately 31% more than women who are in non-union jobs. This union wage advantage is even greater for non-white women.
International Women’s Day “Teach-in for Democracy” at Lawrence University, Appleton, WI — Jenny Van Schyndel continued
— Continued on Page 7 —
Jenny VanSchyndel
MARCH, 2017 • VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3, PAGE 7
Benefit #2 - Women who are members of a union are also more likely to receive health insurance benefits through their job than those who are not unionized; 76% versus 51%.
Benefit #3 - Women covered by a union contract are more likely to participate in a pension plan than those who are not unionized; almost 75% of unionized women have access to a pension versus 42% of their non-union counterparts.
One path to meet the goal of creating more women leaders within my own organization is to utilize our Women of Steel Program. The USW Constitution requires that each local union with female members establish a WOS Committee. All female members of the USW are considered WOS regardless of their union positions, or the industry or service they work in. It was originally designed as a leadership course for union sisters to learn how the union works, and ultimately move women into more leadership positions. It is a program that allows sisters to network, mentor, and support one another while they build self-confidence, skills, and experience. WOS allows women to ask questions, share concerns, and participate in discussions. This program creates activists, which in turn creates leaders.
Even if you are not a dues-paying member of the USW, you can still get involved in our WOS program through the Associate Member Program. This program reaches out to people from all walks of life that are interested in progressive issues and want to join in the fight for social and global justice. The AMP was created to build power through community action - it focuses on improving people’s lives by bringing people together to fight for good jobs, a fair workplace, access to quality healthcare, and a clean environment. The program is free to join, and provides you with the USW’s quarterly magazine, and access to our Union-Plus benefits. If you are interested in signing up, please let me know, and I will provide you with the necessary information.
The next area WOS meeting will be held April 12 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm in Neenah. The topic of that meeting will be workplace safety and a discussion of Workers’ Memorial Day. I also have information and registration forms for this event.
I thank you for the opportunity to come and speak with you today on International Women’s Day. I look forward to working with you all to ensure that the future for women is both bright and equal.
International Women’s Day “Teach-in for Democracy” at Lawrence University, Appleton, WI — Jenny Van Schyndel continued
This Month in History - Jay McMurran
Until the late 1970’s, women’s history was a subject that schools and universities did not teach their students. However, in 1978 a movement began to establish a week in March to honor the contributions of women working in business, government, non-profit organizations and the general labor market. Since March 8th was already recognized around the world as International Women’s Day, it was proposed that the event be held during the week of that date. The first Women’s History Week was held that same year in Santa Rosa, California.
In 1979, women at the Women’s History Institute at Sarah Lawrence College got wind of the success of the Sonoma County Women’s History Week and moved to create similar actions within their organizations, communities, and school districts. They also agreed to support a movement to create a National Women’s History Week.
In 1980, women scored their first major victory when then President, Jimmy Carter, issued a proclamation recognizing the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. During the following years the number of events grew to include many more states, cities and school districts. However, each year the dates of Women’s History Week changed, which meant that every year a new lobby effort had to be launched to get events held on the same dates. By 1986, 14 states
had acted to make March Women’s History Month. Armed with growing state support for their cause, women’s organizations lobbied members of Congress for the creation of a National history month. The following year (1987), Congress declared that March was to be National Women’s History month in perpetuity. Also, each year the President issues a proclamation honoring the extraordinary contributions of American women.
One of this year’s honorees is Kate Mullany, the founder of America’s first bona fide all female Union. In 1864, she organized over 300 of her fellow laundresses to form the Collar Laundry Union. Born in England, Kate and her family migrated to the United States. Following her father’s
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USW District 2
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This Month in History - Jay McMurran continued
death, she went to work for one of Troy, New York’s, 14 collar laundries, where women worked 12 to 14 hours a day washing, starching, and ironing. While considered good jobs, the working conditions were tough and wages were low. Inspired by efforts to organize local tradesmen, Mullany got busy forming her Union.
Though bringing the ladies together was difficult, on February 23, 1864, Kate and her co-workers at all 14 laundries walked off their jobs for better pay and safer work conditions. At first, the companies refused to negotiate with the women, but the Laundry Collar Union, backed by the Iron Molders Union, refused to back down from its demands. After five days of picketing, a few of the laundry owners agreed to a 25% wage increase and the next day the rest of the companies followed suit.
The strike was a success. In recognition of her leadership, Sister Mullany became the first woman elected to a position for a national Union, when in 1868 she voted to serve as Assistant Secretary of the National Labor Union.
Looking Forward to Retirement? - Michael Pyne
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Retirement - a time to look forward to and enjoy, right? Unfortunately, this is no longer the case with the many proposed changes currently taking place in Washington D.C. and at the state levels. As can be seen from the following, we need today’s retirees to become active to protect the very rights that all have worked so hard for. ● President Trump, House Republicans in a Health Care War with Older Americans
Republican efforts to replace Obamacare through Congress quickly hit a snag earlier this month when the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its analysis of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) whose report found that the plan would reduce the lifespan of the Medicare Trust Fund by three years, from 2028 to 2025; cause 24 million people to lose their insurance; and cut $880 billion from Medicaid. Basically if the ACHA were to pass, many losing insurance would be ages 50 - 64 and not yet eligible for Medicare. They would be priced out of insurance at a higher rate than the rest of the country – leading to higher Medicare costs as people would enter Medicare with unaddressed medical needs.
The GOP plan replaces Obamacare subsidies with flat, age-based tax credits that would not take into account the price differences between states or the income levels of the recipients. Essentially, the big winners would be corporations and millionaires who would enjoy the windfall of enormous tax cuts.
Despite the CBO estimates, the House Budget Committee approved the American Health Act, moving the controversial measure to the floor.
The bill represents a concerted effort to cut health care for the most vulnerable to fund an enormous tax cut for people who don’t need it. Older Americans know how important affordable health care is for their families and will continue to fight against this proposal. We call on Congress to scrap this bill immediately.
● Trump Budget Hurts Seniors with Massive Cuts to Meals on Wheels, Medical Research and Programs to Help Low-Income People Pay for their Heating Bills
President Trump unveiled his $1.15 trillion FY 2018 budget, a massive overhaul of federal government spending that slashes many domestic programs while significantly increasing military spending and making a down payment on a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump’s preliminary proposal covers about ¼ of the approximately $4 trillion federal budget, the discretionary portion that Congress passes each year. It doesn’t address taxes, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, or make predictions about deficits and the economy. According to the Associated Press, those “big-picture details” are due in mid-May.
The proposal includes no funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program which many older Americans need to help pay their home heating costs. Additionally, biomedical research and public health are also big losers since the budget calls for a “major reorganization” in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and cuts $5.8 billion, about 20% of NIH’s $30 billion budget. NIH conducts research for diseases including Alzheimer’s, diabetes and cancer.
Michael Pyne District 2 S.O.A.R. Executive Board Member & President, WI Alliance for Retired Americans
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Looking Forward to Retirement? - Michael Pyne continued
Details on funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are sketchy. Many think the administration’s inclusion of the words “increase state flexibility and focus on the leading public health challenges to each state” means diverting funds from the CDC’s core budget to provide block grants to individual states.
One proposal calls for the complete elimination of the Community Development Block Grant program, which operates under the Department of Housing and Urban Development and partially funds the successful Meals on Wheels program that delivers prepared food to elderly Americans. A representative for Meals on Wheels said not enough details were provided to discern exactly how this budget would impact the program, but indicated “it is difficult to imagine a scenario in which they will not be significantly and negatively impacted.”
At a press briefing, President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget Director, Mick Mulvaney, defended proposed cuts to Meals on Wheels by saying the program is one of many that is “just no showing any results.” The Washington Post fully refuted that point with data showing significantly improved diet quality, increase nutrient intakes and reduced food insecurity and nutritional risk among participants.
Mulvaney tried to characterize the budget as “compassionate” because it would protect taxpayers from putting money toward inefficient or ineffective programs, saying “. . .we’re not going to ask you for your hard-earned money anymore. Single mom of two in Detroit, give us your money. We’re not going to do that anymore unless they can guarantee that money will be used in a proper function.” That, he says “is about as compassionate as you can get.”
Eliminating federal funding for Meals on Wheels and home energy assistance is neither compassionate nor fiscally responsible. These programs have been proved to keep seniors in their homes, saving on health care and nursing home costs for taxpayers and allowing older Americans to live in dignity.
● Wisconsin, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans Members Brave Blizzard Fighting for Health Care
Showing solidarity, and despite a blizzard which dumped 22 inches of snow, hundreds show up outside of Speaker Paul Ryan’s office in Racine, Wisconsin, to protest the GOP’s Affordable Care Act replacement bill, which significantly weakens Medicare and shifts costs from younger to older populations. The protestors called on Ryan to drop his current health care proposal and demanded expanded Medicare for all.
This rally shows how seriously we take the threats to health coverage and how far we will go to protect our health care. We will fight measures to cut and weaken Medicare and Medicaid, rain or shine, and stand up for those who otherwise would not be heard.
● Millionaires are Done Paying into Social Security for 2017
Did you know that all millionaires have already stopped paying Social Security for 2017? Under current law, no one pays Social Security taxes on any income above $127,200. Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Richard Fiesta joined Senators Bernie Sanders (VT), Elizabeth Warren (MA) and Ron Wyden (OR) and Representatives Peter DeFazio (OR), Jan Schakowsky (IL) and Paul Tonko (NY) and allies at a Capitol Hill news conference to draw attention to this milestone. They highlighted the unfairness of a system that allows the wealthiest 1% to contribute a lower share of their annual income into Social Security than the rest of the population.
Sen. Sanders and Rep. DeFazio also announced the introduction of the Social Security Expansion Act, H.R. 1113 in the House, which protects and expands Social Security and eliminates the cap on payroll income above $250,000. It also applies a 6.2% Social Security tax on investment income for high-income households. Social Security payroll taxes would not be paid on income between $127,200 and $250,000.
● Study Shows Voter ID Laws are Successful Only in Suppressing the Vote
A recent study found the only success of strict Voter ID laws in 33 states has been in suppressing the vote. The requirements affect all voters, but minorities bear the brunt of the impact. Seniors also are heavily affected and the burden has been likened to an unconstitutional poll tax. For people without a birth certificate, getting an acceptable photo can be quite difficult and often prevents them from voting.
Beyond those who can’t obtain an ID, even more voters are disenfranchised because they do not have the know-how, financial means, or the time to navigate the complicated and extensive process that frequently extends across state bureaucracies. Voter ID laws have frequently been challenged in court, on the basis that they are not only discriminatory but do not address a substantial issue, as research has shown that voter fraud is close to non-existent.
These voter ID laws prevent people from exercising a fundamental right. We are hopeful that the increasing evidence regarding the impact will lead to their reversals and support efforts to make it easier, not harder to vote.
* Information for this article was provided by the Alliance for Retired Americans
Activists traveled from Chicago and braved the blizzard to protest the AHCA.
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USW District 2 Women of Steel Michigan Report - Linda Lucas
USW Local 2-21 Women of Steel has a Baby Shower to Help the Community - Steve Benoit
USW Local 2-21 Women of Steel and Women of Steel Chair Donna Dams recently hosted a baby shower for the Delta County Pregnancy Center in Escanaba, Michigan. The Delta County Pregnancy Center is a local organization that helps mothers to be that are in need with supplies and education through and after their pregnancy.
The amount of baby items obtained through this event was impressive. “It was great meeting Audra and all the volunteers! Great organization, so glad we could help out!” stated Donna Dams Chair of the Women of Steel Local 2-21.
Local Union President Steve Benoit gave a special thank you to Local 2-21 WOS and chairperson Donna Dams for hosting this amazing baby shower for the Delta County Pregnancy Center. “Helping those in need is our way of giving back to the community. USW Local 2-21 is proud to be a member of this Community.”
The first round of Michigan Women of Steel Council meetings for 2017 have started in March. Each meeting is designed to have an educational fragment, an action or planning for an action, and networking - all which help to build our Union.
At the Detroit area meeting (above left picture), Sue Browne, our District’s new Rapid Response Coordinator, did a piece on RR and helped the women find out who their Representatives are and tools to look up their Senators at a later time. Sue started out being a “star” as a local union Rapid Response Person and is sure to do the same for District 2. Federal Mediator Alberta Jordon-Rigsby from FMCS did a piece on Communications with a Twist. It’s always a pleasure to have Alberta share her knowledge with us. Holding meetings at a sub-district office offers opportunities for surprised guests. Our new Southern Michigan Sub-District Director, Kevin Mapp, stopped in to briefly address the women and offer future assistance.
At our Central Area meeting (above right picture) held at USW Local 12075’s Union Hall in Midland, MI (thank you, Kent, for the continued use of your local’s hall), Parole/Probation agent, Sandra Eagle, did a piece on Human Trafficking which included Labor and Sexual Slavery.
Karie Case presented the activity “Pink Slips for Trump” where on the 15th of each month, women from all over the United States are sending pink post cards to President Donald Trump with a brief message.
April’s message is “Show us your taxes” and for May, “All Americans in, no Americans left out” and “We want single-payer healthcare for all!”