7/3

Coverphoto

byRex

FeaturesviaAPImages

SOAR EXECUTIVE BOARD ENDORSESBARACK OBAMA FOR REELECTION

F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T ’ S D E S K

AGreat Day forAll AmericansThe Supreme Court ruling on June 28, 2012, upholding

the Affordable Care Act, was a historic day in our nation.Because of this ruling, millions of Americans who have pre-existing conditions can no longer be rejected by insurancecompanies, families with children under 26 can keep theirchildren on their health insurance policies and women canno longer be charged far higher premiums than men.

The debate is over and 30 million uninsured Americanswill have access to health care. Seniors will continue to seetheir prescription drug costs go down and the so-calleddoughnut hole disappear. This ruling is good for small busi-nesses who simply cannot continue to afford the escalating

costs of providing insurance for their employees and millions of Americans willbe able to find access to quality health care through community health centers.

The Affordable Care Act is an important step in the right direction and I amglad that the Supreme Court upheld it. We cannot afford to go backward, butthat is what Mitt Romney and the Republican leadership in Congress would do.Their prescriptions would not expand coverage or control health care costs.Instead, they would shift costs to working families, retirees and the states.

The election this November provides a clear choice between the President,who has stood for fairness and for working men and women, and Romney, whourges repealing health insurance protection for middle America in order to linethe pockets of a chosen few.

CONNIE ENTREKINSOAR President

The SOAR Executive Boardunanimously endorsedPresident Obama forre-election and stronglybelieves he deserves to bere-elected for a second term.

SOAR President C.L. “Connie”Entrekin said in his remarks,“President Obama has earnedthe right to continue the job hewas elected to do in 2008. Hehas turned around our economythat was in the midst of a deeprecession by focusing his efforts on creating jobs, recom-mitting our nation to manufacturing and enforcing U.S.trade laws. President Obama and his Administration havesucceeded in regulating Wall Street and passing health carereform. Because of the Affordable Care Act, insurancecompanies can no longer deny care to those with pre-existing conditions, can no longer drop people when theyget sick, and can no longer place lifetime limits on care.President Obama has extended the life of the Medicare

Trust Fund through strict enforcement of fraud protectionsand has enhanced Medicare by changes made through theAffordable Care Act. President Obama is committed toprotecting Social Security and is a strong advocate of keep-ing Wall Street’s greedy hands out of the Social SecurityTrust Fund. This President has upheld his commitment tothe working middle class and retirees of this great nationand deserves to be re-elected President of the United Statesof America!”

USW@Work (ISSN 0883-3141) is publishedfour times a year by the United SteelworkersAFL-CIO-CLC Five Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA15222. Subscriptions to non-members: $12 forone year; $20 for two years. Periodicals postagepaid at Pittsburgh, PA and additional mailingoffices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:USW@Work, USW Membership Dept., 3340Perimeter Hill Rd., Nashville, TN 37211.

Published as an edition to USW@Workfor the United SteelworkersFive Gateway CenterPittsburgh, PA 15222Winner of ICLA’sjournalistic competitionawards for General Excellencein 1986, 1990 and 1993

Jim Centner, Director/EditorLee Etta Hairston, Copy EditorAddress editorial material to:

Editor, USW@Work, SOAR in ActionUnited SteelworkersFive Gateway CenterPittsburgh, PA 15222-1209Send address changes only to:

USW Membership Department3340 Perimeter Hill DriveNashville, TN 37211

When submitting address change, pleaseinclude address label from last issue.

Page 2 USW@Work/SOAR Labor Day 2012

SOAR Executive Board Endorses Barack Obama for a Second Term

USW@Work/SOAR Labor Day 2012 Page 3

The Supreme Court’s decision touphold theAffordable CareActensures all Americans will get thesecurity they deserve and protectus all from the worst insurancecompany abuses. With the uncer-tainty about the Court’s decisionbehind us, it’s now time to focuson the benefits this law provides.

Benefits and Protections for theMiddle ClassThe Affordable Care Act includes numerous provisions tokeep health care costs low, promote prevention, and holdinsurance companies accountable. If you’re one of the250 million Americans who already have health care—whether through private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid—the Affordable Care Act is already making your cover-age more secure.� Insurance companies no longer have unchecked power

to cancel your policy, deny your child coverage due to apre-existing condition, or charge women more thanmen.

� Over 86 millionAmericans have gained from coverageof preventive care free of charge, like mammogramsfor women and wellness visits for seniors.

� Nearly 13 million Americans will receive a rebate thissummer because their insurance company spent toomuch of their premium dollars on administrative costsor CEO bonuses.

� The law has already helped 5.3 million seniors andpeople with disabilities save an average of over$600 on prescription drugs in the “donut hole” inMedicare coverage.

� The law’s provisions to strengthen and protectMedicare by fighting fraud will continue.

� The law has helped 6.6 million young adults who havebeen able to stay on their parents’ plans until the ageof 26, including 3.1 million young people who arenewly insured.

Starting in 2014, the 30 million Americans who don’tyet have health insurance will finally have the sameopportunity to get quality, affordable coverage as every-one else. This law will offer those without coverage anarray of quality, affordable, private health insurance plansto choose from.

Coverage forAmericans withPre-Existing ConditionsA major impact of the Court's decision is that 129 millionpeople with pre-existing conditions will have the securityof affordable health coverage. Starting in 2014, insurancecompanies can no longer charge those with pre-existingconditions more, carve out benefits, or deny them cover-age altogether because they have cancer or diabetes orsimply because you are a woman.

Tax Credits for Middle Class Families andSmall BusinessesMillions of Americans will soon be eligible for tax creditsto ensure that their health insurance is affordable. If youcan’t afford insurance or you’re a small business thatwants to provide affordable insurance to your employees,you’ll get tax credits that make coverage affordable. Start-ing in 2014, if you can afford insurance and you choosenot to purchase it, the taxpayers will no longer subsidizeyour care for free. The Court’s ruling allows Congress tohold the projected one percent of Americans who will beable to afford health insurance but will choose not to buyit responsible for that choice. Many small businesses arealready receiving tax credits so they can afford to offerquality health care to their employees. To date, 360,000businesses that employ two million workers have alreadybenefitted from the small business tax cuts in the law. Andonce the Affordable Care Act takes full effect, about 18million individuals and families will get tax credits forhealth insurance coverage averaging about $4,000 apiece.

Support for State Implementation ofAffordable Insurance ExchangesExchanges are new marketplaces, starting in 2014 thatwill allow individuals and small businesses to compareand choose private health plans. Each State will take thelead in designing its own menu of options. Already, 34States including the District of Columbia have received100 percent federally funded grants to build Exchanges.

All this could be lost if we elect a President and Con-gress that does the bidding of the big insurance compa-nies. Mitt Romney and many Republicans in the Houseand Senate want to repeal the health law. That would takeaway benefits that help all of us. Their “you’re on yourown” approach to health care is just fine if you are eitherhealthy or wealthy, but not too many people I know fitthat description.

JIM CENTNERSOAR Director

F R O M T H E D I R E C T O R ’ S D E S K

The Affordable Care Act: Secure HealthCoverage for All Americans

Page 4 USW@Work/SOAR Labor Day 2012

SOAR National Coordinator DougMacPherson recently met with TomMulcair, Leader of Canada’s OfficialOpposition, to discuss the serious issueof retirement security for Canadians.

Doug was among Congress of UnionRetirees of Canada (CURC) executivemembers who travelled to ParliamentHill in June to meet with Mulcair andkey members of his New DemocraticParty (NDP) caucus.

“Retirement security is under attack inCanada,” Doug said in his presentation toMulcair and NDP Members of ParliamentLysane Blanchette-Lamothe (OppositionCritic for Seniors) and Irene Mathyssen(Opposition Critic for Pensions).

Employer-sponsored pension plans arebeing dismantled, with only 40 percentof Canadian workers having such plans,Doug noted. Meanwhile, StephenHarper’s conservative government plans

to raise the eligibility age for Old AgeSecurity from 65 to 67.

“Government action is required,”Doug said. “Improving the Canada andQuebec Pension Plans is the best way toprovide retirement security for futuregenerations of workers.”

CURC members also advocated fora national pharmacare program thatwould control drug costs for retireesand governments.

Mulcair was veryresponsive to the CURCpresentation, noting theNew Democrats are plan-ning cross-Canada consul-tations on retirement issuesto help the party developits next election platform.

Pictured left to right:Dianne Wood, BC Forum;Doug Macpherson, SOAR;Louisette Hinton, QUR;Pat Kerwin, presidentCURC; Tom Mulcair, leaderNDP; Lysanne Blanchete-Lamonthe and IreneMathyssen, NDP critics;and Gerry Jones, CURC.

Union Retirees Discuss Key Issues With OfficialOpposition Leader Tom Mulcair

NEWS FROM CANADA

First SOAR Chapter inCanada Celebrates25 Years of Activism

Toronto SOAR Chapter 6-01 celebrated its 25thanniversary at a luncheon held at the USW CecilStreet Hall.

The Chapter was established on May 5, 1987from the original Steelworkers Toronto retirees“In Touch Club.” Current president Don Clarkechaired the event.

Chapter 6-01 was honoured to have chapter member andSOAR president emeritus Lynn Williams attend the luncheon.Also present were SOAR director Jim Centner and his wifeCarol, USW District 6 assistant to the director Marty Warren,emeritus board member Dan McNeil and his wife Ruth, TonyDePaulo, USW area coordinator and many others.

The Cecil Street Hall has played an active role in the historyof Toronto’s labour movement. It is strategically located toboth the seat of the provincial government and Canada’s finan-cial district. For many Steelworkers it has been the ideal placeto host protests, parades and picnics.

Congratulations Chapter 6-01, ready for another 25 years?

Members and friendscelebrate SOAR Chapter 6-0125th anniversary.

USW@Work/SOAR Labor Day 2012 Page 5

By Doug MacPhersonSOAR National Coordinator

Much has happened on theCanadian political front to keep theProgressive Left busy, includingSOARmembers across the country.

Public Pensions Threatened

Last December we were cautiouslyoptimistic the federal and provincialgovernments would agree to modestimprovements in the Canada PensionPlan and the Quebec Pension Plan(CPP/QPP) as proposed by the Canadianlabour movement.

Alas, it was not to be. The federal gov-ernment caved in to the pressure from thefinancial community andAlberta’s right-wing government and tabled instead aPooled Retirement Pension Plan (PRPP).Much like theAmerican 401K, the PRPPis voluntary and employers are not man-dated to make contributions. The federalConservative government has betrayedCanadians and exposed future genera-tions to retirement insecurity.

One bright spot in this debate is that theminority provincial government in Ontariohas thus far refused to pass legislationenabling PRPPs until it sees movementfrom the federal government on theCPP/QPP.We will watch this closely. Beassured that the labour movement andSOAR members across Canada continue tolobby for improvements to the CPP/QPP.

Federal Election Results: Good and Bad

Early last year the previous minorityHarper Conservative government wasfaced with a vote of non-confidencebecause it was found in contempt ofParliament by the Speaker of the House.

For the first time in the history of theBritish parliamentary system, a sittinggovernment faced defeated by a majorityvote on the issue of contempt. Harpermanaged to avoid this vote by disband-ing Parliament and calling a generalelection in May 2011.

The election produced another first inCanadian history, with the New Democ-ratic Party forming the Official Opposi-tion, or government-in-waiting. This was

a victory that celebrated and validatedthe hard work of the labour movementand SOAR members from coast to coastto coast over many years. Sadly, theConservatives won enough seats to forma majority government.

It has been just over a year that weCanadians have been governed by a Con-servative majority and what a year it hasbeen.After promising to bring honest,open and transparent government,Harper’s Tories have brought the opposite.

More Conservative cabinet ministershave been caught in scandals than everbefore. They have deliberately misleadparliamentarians over the costs of F-35fighter jets and the real costs of the G20and G8 meetings, to name but two.Ministers have abused their positions ofprivilege without apparent restraint orcondemnation by the Prime Minister.

Voter Suppression Moves North

Canadians used to look at voter sup-pression in the United States with dis-gust, only to discover voter suppressiontaking place in our last federal electionin Canada.

Since the election last May, ElectionsCanada, the agency tasked with ensuringthe sanctity of the voting system, hasbeen investigating voter suppressiontactics in over 200 ridings (seats) acrossCanada. (Canada has 308 seats in ourfederal parliament, so fully 60 percentare under investigation).

One of the investigations is lookinginto misleading phone calls andcomputer IPs identified as coming fromcomputers in a Conservative riding officein Guelph, Ontario. People posing asElections Canada officials called voterswho were known not to be supporters ofConservative candidates and erroneouslyadvised these voters that their pollingplaces had been changed.

The Conservatives admit they main-tain detailed electronic data on voterintentions, but deny that the central partyhad anything to do with this scandal.Many seats were won by the slimmest ofmargins and one such result, where theseat was won by 23 votes, was recentlyoverturned by the courts.

However, it will take years of investi-gation to follow up on all the allegationsand as things drag on voters becomemore disinterested in the alleged irregu-larities. Our members across Canadahave demanded that greater resourcesbe given to Elections Canada and theRCMP so they can perform more thor-ough investigations. Instead, the govern-ment cut Elections Canada’s budget!

Attack on Organized Labour

Unfortunately, this government hasdemonstrated a pro-corporate, anti-unionbias, by passing back-to-work legislationon four occasions, even after only a fewdays of a labour dispute and in one casewhere the employer locked out workers.

The Conservatives are ordering private-sector employees back to work under theguise of defending “the economic inter-ests of Canada.” Their legislation alsohas set terms of settlement and evenordered an arbitrator to choose finaloffer selection.

Most famously, the government hadcharged U.S. Steel, under the InvestmentCanadaAct, with breaking the legally bind-ing terms of its agreement with Canada inthe purchase of Stelco in Hamilton.

The government won every court chal-lenge thrown at them by U.S. Steel, withthe appeal courts ruling the case shouldproceed to trial. Instead, the Conserva-tive government struck a secret, back-room deal with U.S. Steel that neglectedthe interests of workers and retirees. Thesecret deal was struck without notice tothe USW, which was an official inter-vener in the legal case. SOAR memberswill not forget these transgressions.

Hope from the Next Generation

Certainly it is not all bad news inCanada. Across our country and aroundthe world we have seen the beginning ofa new awakening through the OccupyMovement. The social discourse nowreverberates with words like ‘we are the99 percent,’ ‘income inequality,’ ‘the 1percent,’ ‘tax the rich,’ etc. Words andphrases that were not part of our dailylanguage nine months ago now permeateour newscasts and newspapers.

SOAR Keeps Up the Fight Canadian Political Update

continued on page 6

A new generation is taking on the richand powerful in our society, in ways thatwe never imagined possible and withsome success.

In Ontario, we have a minority Liberalgovernment where the New Democratshold the balance of power. NDP LeaderAndrea Horwath successfully used thisleverage to negotiate several improve-ments to the Liberals’ budget:

She insisted that corporate taxesremain at present levels, rather thanbeing lowered in two successive years.

She forced the government to imple-ment a two percent income tax surchargeon those with taxable income in excessof $500,000.

She forced the government to imple-ment modest increases in welfare pay-ments and disability support benefits tohelp the poorest of the poor.

She negotiated a $20-million supportprogram to maintain small community-based hospitals in Northern Ontario.

She negotiated $242 million to createmore publicly funded child-care spaces.

About 90 percent of Ontarians supportedthe New Democrats’efforts to extractsome fairness from the budget. Would anyof this have happened without the publicdiscourse created by the Occupy Move-ment? I don’t think so. So you can see, theOccupy Movement working with the pro-gressive left can make a difference.

The NDP after Layton

After the euphoria of the federal electionresults, New Democrats were shocked by

the sudden death of party leader JackLayton. In recognition of the esteem inwhich Canadians held him, Jack was givena state funeral by the Conservative govern-ment. Such honours are usually limited tositting or former prime ministers.

After Jack’s death, New Democratsengaged in a gruelling leadership racethat saw seven excellent candidates com-pete in a five-month campaign culminat-ing in a convention in which everymember had a right to vote.

Tom Mulcair was elected NDP leader ina second-ballot vote. By far the strongestcandidate, Tom is an experienced politi-cian with great communication skills inCanada’s two official languages.

Tom was able to immediately take onthe prime minister in debates in Parlia-ment. Recent public opinion polls showthe New Democrats are ahead of theConservatives in popularity. While pollsthis early in the election cycle do not agovernment make, the situation is veryencouraging for the future.

Omnibus budget bill threatens theenvironment and income security

Harper’s Conservatives recentlypassed a so-called budget bill of over420 pages which contains many austeritymeasures, cuts to government services,dismantling of environmentalprotections (so that they can fast tracktar sand development), etc.

The Conservatives once again under-mined our democracy by limiting theconsultation, review and debate that arelegitimately required for such far-reaching

legislation. They have changed hundredsof regulations covering employmentinsurance, environmental protection, theFisheriesAct, the ImmigrationAct, andmore than 70 separate statutes.

Another of the budget bill changes,first announced by Harper at Davos,Switzerland, in front of his friends fromcorporate multinationals and Europeanright-wing parties, was raising the eligi-bility age for Old Age Security (OAS)benefits from 65 to 67.

The NDP, the labour movement andretiree organizations such as SOAR arecommitted to fighting this unwarrantedattack on retirement security, particularlyfor the young folks coming behind us.Even the Government Budget Officerhas joined many actuaries andeconomists who have concluded thatthe OAS system is sustainable and theConservatives’ changes are unjustified.

New Democrats staged a sustainedand valiant fight in Parliament to defendthe democratic process and to oppose thebudget bill destructive changes. However,the bill ultimately was rammed throughby the Conservative majority.

Along with political battles, our membersremain engaged in various corporate cam-paigns to confront the anti-union animus oftransnational employers waging attack onactive USWmembers.We are fighting onmany fronts simultaneously.

Perhaps this is the corporatocracy’sstrategy, to keep the citizens and theprogressive left so engaged on so manyfronts that we become emotionally andphysically fatigued. But we must—andwe will—keep up the fight.

Page 6 USW@Work/SOAR Labor Day 2012

SOAR Makes Communities BetterChapter 3-14 members in Vancouver, British Columbia, are show-

ing their commitment to SOAR’s constitutional mandate to “betterthe communities in which said members live.”

Chapter members raised $1,000 to assist families affected by thedevastating explosion at the Babine Forest Products sawmill in BurnsLake, B.C. Two USW members died and 19 others were injured inthe explosion.

Chapter 3-14 also raised $100 to sponsor USW staff representativeBrian Harder in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Brian rode his bicyclefrom Vancouver to Seattle. This is Brian’s second year in the rideand this year he raised over $5,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation.

Our communities are better because of SOAR.Chapter 3-14 secretary-treasurer, Fred Girling presentscheque to Brian Harder.

continued from page 5

SOAR Keeps Up the Fight Canadian Political Update

Saving Auto Parts Manufacturing

The AAM program on saving 1.6 million good-payingAmerican auto parts jobs is in full swing.After our January 31Washington Press Conference Kickoff, we’ve taken thecampaign to Congress and the grassroots. We spearheadeda letter from Congress to the President, urging him to makeauto parts trade cases the number one job for the adminis-tration’s new Trade Enforcement Unit. In a nation-widecampaign to bring pressure for action, AAM Field Staffhave been collecting thousands of postcards to be sent tothe Obama Administration and Members of Congress.We’ve visited scores of Congressional offices, asking Rep-resentatives and Senators to hold auto parts manufacturingRoundtables in their districts and states. AAM Staff are outdoing presentations to groups, educating them on the dan-ger this industry faces, and the implications for jobs andour economy. And we’ve been visiting auto parts manufac-turing facilities to recruit them to the effort. Learn more byvisiting our website’s auto parts feature:http://americanmanufacturing.org/autopartsjobs

Promoting Buy American Legislation

AAM supports Congressman Rahall’s (D-W.Va.)comprehensive Buy American procurement legislationthat would assure all government purchases use domesticproducts, where possible. AAM was successful in gettingstronger Buy American provisions in the huge HighwayBill that is now under heavy debate in Congress. At thestate level, AAM has promoted state Buy Americanprocurement legislation that would increase state govern-

ment purchases of domestic products,give the public more information onwhere their state government is spend-ing tax dollars, and highlight the valueof spending tax dollars where theywill create good jobs and increase ourmanufacturing base. Over twentystates responded with some kind ofBuy American legislative efforts sofar, and we are gearing up for thenext round of State Legislativesessions in 2012.

Challenging the Bay Bridge

AAM kicked off a new public awareness campaign byplacing two huge billboards at the entrance to the OaklandBay Bridge. California officials used loopholes in Federallaw to contract substantial portions of the bridge to aChinese firm. Although they claimed the Chinese bidwould save money, subsequent repairs, overruns and otherconsiderations due to faulty imported steel have questionedthat assertion.

Demanding Currency Action

The Senate has already passed aCurrency Bill designed to requireour trading partners to fairly valuetheir currency. It is estimated thatcurrency manipulation gives ourcompetitors up to a $0.40 perdollar advantage against domes-tic manufacturers. House SpeakerJohn Boehner has bottled up a faircurrency valuation bill in the HouseWays and Means Committee, eventhough more Members of Congress have co-sponsored thebill than are needed to pass it. AAM is testing a new strategyby placing action calls in newspapers and on blogsasking readers to contact Speaker Boehner and insist heallow a vote on the currency bill. As the politicalcampaigns heat up, watch for currency to be one of theissues that the candidates begin to wrestle over.

AAM HAS BEEN BUSYIt’s been a hectic few months for the labor/management

partnership at the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM).Here is a rundown of the variety of activities the Washington, D.C.

office and the national field staff have been engaged in.

USW@Work/SOAR Labor Day 2012 Page 7

Page 8 USW@Work/SOAR Labor Day 2012

Washington, D.C. —Over1,000 progressive activistleaders and citizens gatheredinWashington June 18–20,2012, for a three-day politicalconference to “Take BacktheAmerican Dream.”Recognizing that the promiseof reform has been frustratedby legislators more content tosee our President fail and badSupreme Court decisions like“Citizens United,” leadersand activists from across thecountry met to rebuild ademocratic and prosperousfuture forAmerica.

With the November election in the foreground, activistsstressed the importance of returning Obama to the WhiteHouse and the need to secure significant majorities inCongress to push a progressive agenda. The conferenceattendees met to compare notes and coordinate what isgoing to be a massive undertaking.

The leaders, in light of the “Citizens United” ruling—which treats corporations as people and allows them tospend unlimited money on behalf of a candidate—realizethe difficulties that lay ahead in accomplishing our goals.Progressives will not only have to continue to drive the

debate in the election session on an unleveled playing field,but will also have to define, expand and claim the mandateafter the election.

The conference opened on Monday. Its initial session“Winning in November—so we can win in December andBeyond” provided an overview of the conference theme.That evening the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. receivedthe America’s Future Lifetime Leadership Award. Jacksonwas recognized for his bold and courageous leadership inthe quest for social, racial and economic justice for morethan 40 years. Katrina vanden Heuvel, Editor andPublisher of “The Nation” magazine, received theAmerica’sFuture Progressive Champion Award for her extraordinaryaccomplishments as a writer and editor, and leader of theprogressive movement.

The conference also featured sessions on such topics aseconomic justice, labor-green energy independence initia-tive, strengthening Social Security, corporate accountabil-ity and overturning “Citizens United.” In addition, therewere a number of workshops on how to get progressiveleaders elected and how to hold them accountable oncethey are in office.

The conference ended on Wednesday afternoon with amarch through the streets of Washington, D.C. to thecorporate headquarters of Crossroads GPS to issue a“People’s Indictment” to Karl Rove for trying to buy theU.S. elections.

SOAR and the United Steelworkers Gather with Other Progressives to

“TAKE BACK THE AMERICAN DREAM”

SOAR representatives at the Take Back the American Dream Conference—Pictured left toright: Jim Centner, director; C.L. “Connie” Entrekin, International president and CharlieAverill, International secretary-treasurer.

USW@Work/SOAR Labor Day 2012 Page 9

Did you know that over the last decade, we have lost moremanufacturing jobs (as a percentage of the total) than duringthe Great Depression? That is 50,000 facilities and nearlysix million manufacturing jobs gone.

Steelworkers Stand Firm Against Outsourcing

Today, outsourcing is not limited to manufacturing. Callcenters, health care, airline maintenance, administrativeservices and jobs in many more sectors have left U.S.borders.A2009 study by economistsAlan Blinder andAlanKrueger estimated that one in four U.S. jobs is vulnerable.

We have sharply felt the effects within our union: job loss,retiree benefits in jeopardy, a shrinking tax base that under-mines key public services in our communities. We, and all ofAmerica, stand to feel more pain unless we reverse thecourse.

Congress can take steps NOW to stop outsourcing by elim-inating tax incentives for shipping jobs overseas, passing cur-rency manipulation legislation, enacting strong BuyAmerican provisions and other Steelworker priorities. Ourstates can play their part as well. Recently Rapid Responseactivists in Minnesota helped pass a state-level bill that wouldensure the new Vikings stadium would be built with domesticsteel and iron ore.Additionally, at least a quarter of the goodssold at the stadium and the materials used for constructionmust be made or produced by in-state businesses. These arethe kinds of common-sense proposals that maximize our taxdollars to build our economy.

In June, Rapid Response launched an effort in supportof the Bring Jobs HomeAct (S. 2884/ H.R. 5542). This

legislation would eliminate the tax incentive that outsourcingcompanies receive for moving expenses as they ship jobsoverseas. It also rewards those companies that bring jobs backwith a 20 percent tax credit on expenses incurred whenmoving employment back to the United States. Republican,Democrat or Independent: We should all agreeon that.

As of press time, events highlighting outsourcing wereunderway in nearly sixty locations across the U.S. and a votewas pending on the Bring Jobs HomeAct in the Senate.

Want to knowwhat companies are exportingjobs in your community, laying off workers,endangering workers’ health or involved inviolations of workers’ rights?

CheckWorkingAmerica’s Job Trackerfor information on more than 400,000companies nationwide.

http://www.workingamerica.org/jobtracker

Social andEconomic Justice

Back in the early70sI subscribed to a peri-odical entitled “Blue-print for Social Justice”(BPSJ), distributed bythe Twomey Center forPeace Through Justiceat Loyola University.Unfortunately, after thehavoc of hurricane

Katrina, the publication is nowonly available on a limited basis.

While reviewing a few of my oldissues, I stumbled upon an article,comparing the two worlds of the“have and have nots” titled “As Is andShould Be.” It reminded me of howthings are today. No one should havethe luxury of ignoring the plight oftoday’s millions, agonizing overunemployment, hope and surviving ina shrinking middle class.Life has its necessities, asthe articled pointed outthe extremes of life, theway it really is comparedto how it could or shouldbe. It discussed self-inter-est versus self-sacrificeand the role of perceivedpower in our society.

When I think of theword power, it conjuresup thoughts of big busi-ness and their goal todominate labor and thepolitical process. Thepower to make one dowhat they want them todo as opposed to doingwhat the individual wantsto do or what he or she

believes is right. Doing what I wantyou to do is the traditional role ofemployers especially in times beforeunions. Effective collective bargain-ing diluted the power of employersover employees. This caused big busi-ness to lobby for weakening of laborrights to harm organized laborthrough political action. Their effortswere partially successful by securinglegislative amendments to theNational Labor Relations Act, theTaft-Hartley Act (1947) and numer-ous other national and state lawsculminating with the nationalLandrum-Griffith Act (1959) alldesigned to limit workers’ rights andshift power back to the bosses.

We have been and continue to beexperiencing the results of these pastefforts. Today’s extreme policies pro-moted by conservative big businessinterests through their politicalactivism, has saddled us with a polar-ized government and an extremelyconservative Supreme Court. The endresult, over these years, is a decliningmembership in unions—the main, ifnot the only, viable organization tohelp make life for all as life should be.

Today’s capitalists and conserva-tive’s quest for power over peoplepromote class warfare. Those withfinancial power have lost their moral

standing and their soul. The one andtwo-percenters are making out likebandits while seeking even more intax reductions and business subsidies;all which reduce government revenueand contribute to our national debt.While the conservative right promotesthe fact that the rich pay more intaxes, they fail to follow with thelogic that if your income is greater,there are more dollars to tax.

Multi-billionaire Warren Buffet isthe exception to the rule. Buffettstates there is something wrong with atax system that allows him to pay alower tax rate on his income tax thanwhat his secretary pays. Certainly,Buffett speaks to the issue of taxfairness or, as above, self-sacrifice.Unfortunately, Buffet’s repeated state-ment gets no traction among therepublican leaders of Congress. Theywould rather kneel at the altar ofnon-elected Grover Norquist and hispledge to never raise taxes. Have theyforgotten their oath taken to representthe voters that elected them?

Organized labor stands as wealways have; we continue to representthe interests of workers and families.We work for the national good toimprove the quality of life of workingfamilies and retirees. What we standfor is something to brag about, includ-

ing the creation of themiddle class. Forseniors, their familiesand for a better nationand world, this elec-tion is not to standalone, but to standtogether and help themiddle class growagain. Remember,your vote is important.Vote to continue the“American Dream”not to go back to thepolicies that fill thepockets of a few atthe expense of the restof us!

Page 10 USW@Work/SOAR Labor Day 2012

By Ken KovackSOAR Legislative DirectorWashington, D.C.

WashingtonWrap

USW@Work/SOAR Labor Day 2012 Page 11

By Barbara J. Easterling

As we near Labor Day, I want toencourage you to help younger gener-ations better understand why laborunions are so important. Too manypeople either know very little aboutunions, or only know what politiciansand Fox News tells them about unions.

I joined a union on my very first day onthe job as a telephone operator inAkron, Ohio. It was one ofthe best decisions I ever made. Our generation—and thosewho came before us—used our rights at work and in thecommunity to create good jobs and good wages. We helpedbuild strong neighborhoods where you could raise a family.

In my experience, a union is the only way workers can earngood pay and be treated with respect and fairness on the job.It’s just too tough any other way. When you look at the power-ful interests that workers are up against—whether it is right-wing politicians or cold-hearted corporations—you see howbadly the deck is stacked against you if you don’t have a union.

As union retiree, you canspeak firsthand how collectivebargaining helps earn the wages andbenefits that support families and buildstrong, stable communities. Collectivebargaining directly affects retirement—thebetter you work, the better you retire. I worry that decadesof low wages, little or no health insurance, and inadequatesavings are sowing the seeds for a serious retirement securitycrisis that will affect everyone in our country.

While some politicians mock unions as a cheap way toscore political points, we all know the truth—collectivebargaining is a backbone of theAmerican middle class.We have a lot to be proud of—so let’s get out there andspread the word!

Barbara J. Easterling is president of the Alliance forRetired Americans. She was previously the secretary-treasurer of the Communications Workers of America.For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.orgor call 1-800-333-7212.

By Andy Frye, USW District 13Rapid Response Coordinator

Over 100 SOAR (Steelworkers Orga-nization ofActive Retirees) membersand invited guests attended a luncheonon May 14 at the United Steelworkers(USW) Local 5702 Union Hall inGramercy, La. SOAR Chapter 36-4 waschartered in July 1992 and has beenvery active for 20 years.

Director Breaux thanked everyonefor their continued involvement andcommitment to help working andretired families. He talked about acouple of our current struggles inLouisiana and the ongoing effort toget fair contracts for members.

He reminded the audience thatmany of the companies that we dealwith are aligning themselves withelected officials across the country andare working against working men andwomen in every aspect of our lives.He asked everyone to stay involved,particularly in this year’s elections,

and to keep their elected representa-tives accountable for their actions.

Jack Golden, former USW districtdirector and current SOAR executiveboard member, spoke about how ourpolitical enemies in D.C. are doing allthey can to privatize Social Securityand dismantle Medicare. He told thegroup that we must stay vigilant andNEVER let them get away withdestroying promises made to ourseniors and quite frankly already paidfor by our seniors.

Everyone enjoyed the band, (made upof SOAR members and others), the foodwas excellent and included jambalaya, afish fry, (done by the retirees), severalside dishes and a counter full of desserts.

Also attending the luncheon wereJim Lefton, assistant to the director,Emmett Sheppard, SOAR coordina-tor, Sonny Sanders, sub-director ofLouisiana, Diane Babin, administra-tive assistant in Sub-district 3 andRapid Response coordinator AndyFrye and his wife Robbie.

SOAR Chapter 36-4 hosts Luncheon with District 13 Directorand SOAR Executive Board Member

WeMust Educate Younger People About Unions

Left to right: Jim Lefton, assistant to the director; Emmett Sheppard, SOAR coordinator;Mickey Breaux, District 13 director; Jodie Dupuy, chapter president; Willie Martin, chaptervice president, Wendy Perret, chapter treasurer; Theresa Roussei, chapter secretary andJack Golden, SOAR executive board member.

USW Membership Department3340 Perimeter Hill DriveNashville, TN 37211