SPOTLIGHT ON PUBLIC WORKERS 4 NEW WESTROCK CONTRACT 10 HOUSE PASSES PRO ACT 19 NEXT GEN FIRED UP 28
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“AS WE LOOK ACROSS THE UNION, WE SEE WE ARE IN A TRANSITION. YOU SHOULD BE AMBITIOUS. YOU SHOULD WORK AT LEARNING SKILLS AND MASTERING THOSE TOOLS BECAUSE THIS UNION IS PREPARING TO TURN IT OVER, AND WE INTEND TO TURN IT OVER TO YOU.” INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT THOMAS M. CONWAY AT NEXT GENERATION CONFERENCE, NOV. 18, 2019. CURRENT INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD THOMAS M. CONWAY International President JOHN SHINN Int’l. Secretary-Treasurer DAVID R. McCALL Int’l. Vice President (Administration) FRED REDMOND Int’l. Vice President (Human affairs) KEN NEUMANN Nat’l. Dir. for Canada LEEANN FOSTER Int’l. Vice President PAPER CONTRACT GREEN BUSES, GOOD JOBS RAPID RESPONSE ROXANNE BROWN Workers ratify a new contract at Proterra, a manufacturer of More than 700 activists who Vice President at Large packaging giant WestRock that battery-powered buses and charging participate in the USW’s Rapid establishes wages, benefits and stations, has recognized the USW Response program lobbied Congress DIRECTORS working conditions for 9,400 USW as the bargaining agent for skilled for legislation to protect unions and DONNIE BLATT members. assembly workers in California. preserve endangered pension funds. District 1 10 12 20 MICHAEL BOLTON District 2 STEPHEN HUNT FEATURES District 3 SPEAKING OUT TRADE WATCH NEWS BRIEFS DEL VITALE USW members, retirees and their The USW and the AFL-CIO endorsed Local 8888 reaches 10,000 District 4 families are invited to “speak out.” a reworked replacement for the di- members. ATI bargaining is underway. ALAIN CROTEAU Letters should be short and to the sastrous North American Free Trade Back to work at Lucky Friday mine. District 5 point. We reserve the right to edit Agreement that includes stronger USW sues to save Chemical Disaster MARTY WARREN for length. protections for workers. Rule. Mendoza named paper sector District 6 3 24 chair. Persad Center workers vote union. USW launches podcast. MIKE MILLSAP District 7 33 ERNEST R. “BILLY” THOMPSON District 8 COVER Roberson Castor, Local 9158 COMMUNICATIONS STAFF DANIEL FLIPPO JIM McKAY JESS KAMM BROOMELL AARON HUDSON AND GREG COLE Photo by Steve Dietz. District 9 Editor Director of Communications Graphic Designers 4 CHELSEY ENGEL, LYNNE HANCOCK, R.J. HUFNAGEL, BOBBY “MAC” MCAULIFFE TONY MONTANA, CHEYENNE SCHOEN, JOE SMYDO District 10 EMIL RAMIREZ USW@Work (ISSN 1931-6658) is published four times a year by the United Steelworkers EMAIL: editor@usw.org District 11 AFL-CIO•CLC 60 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Subscriptions to non-members: $12 for one MAIL: USW@Work year; $20 for two years. Periodicals postage paid at Pittsburgh, Pa., and additional mailing offices. 60 Blvd of the Allies GAYLAN PRESCOTT Pittsburgh, PA 15222 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: USW@Work, USW Membership Department, District 12 60 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 USW@WORK Volume 15/1 RUBEN GARZA Copyright 2020 by United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO•CLC. All rights reserved. No part of this Winter 2020 District 13 publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the United Steelworkers. 2 U S W @ Wo r k • W i n t e r 2 0 2 0
SPEAKING OUT Your Union, Your Voice Union Strong I attended the USW’s “Your Union, Your Voice” town hall I was glad to read the latest edition of the USW magazine. meeting this January in Midland, Mich., and I really enjoyed it. It seems to me that the strength of unions is increasing and I was able to learn more about what the USW’s core issues the movement is spreading. are and how that affects which candidates the union endorses, Keep up the good work. and how the USW influences politics, policies and bills. Sam Alessi I am glad that hearing our voices and what matters to us Jamestown, N.Y. is important enough to the USW that the union created this forum for us to take notes and send them to the International headquarters. Educating Next Generation I also appreciate how many different people the USW rep- The Next Gen conference (held in Pittsburgh last Novem- resents. I work in an auto industry-related field. The woman ber) was so many things: powerful, touching and extremely who was next to me works in health care. Other people there educational. To say I left the conference feeling hungry for were from foundries or from Dow. There were both active more is an understatement. members and retirees. The idea that our union puts such great effort toward For members who have a chance to attend one of the up- educating its membership is amazing! Providing over 900 coming town hall meetings, I highly recommend that you go. Steelworkers with the knowledge needed to build a better The union’s facilitators did an amazing job. They taught, they union environment will result in lasting impact. I’m proud listened, they kept us on track, speaking on the issues. that our union is educating the next generation of leaders, I feel like I am a more informed voter now. while at the same time addressing today’s issues that will Echo Carson, Local 690L affect us all tomorrow. Auburn Hills, Mich. Eric Gaskins, Local 1014 Gary, Ind. Fighting Workplace Violence As a nurse and member of Local 7600 in Fontana, Calif., A Great Event it was an experience of a lifetime to travel to Washington, The first International Next Gen conference was a great D.C., and watch the U.S. House of Representatives vote on event. Meeting members from all over North America and and pass the Workplace Violence Prevention Act. sharing stories with them was very inspiring. Some of our Being able to witness firsthand how our democracy works members are doing amazing things at their locals and I was was a blessing. Seeing the fruits of our labor come to fruition glad to learn from them. Our group came back energized and while watching the vote from the gallery was an experience I ready to get to work at our local. will never forget. Each year, some 2 million Americans report having been Rick Pietrick, Local 979 a victim of workplace violence. The vote was a win for all of Cleveland, Ohio us who selflessly work in the health care industry and serve as caretakers across this nation. To every legislator who listened The Union’s Future to our stories and who took the time to vote in solidarity with As the Next Gen coordinator for District 1, I could not be us, thank you. more proud of how the first International conference turned Although we came through with a victory, it was disheart- out! Next Gen is the future of our union. It is our job as cur- ening to witness opposition to our bill from a few legislators rent leaders to mentor and prepare the younger generation to whose reservations didn’t pertain to the bill itself, but were fight for workers’ rights, good contracts, sustainability of our more a matter of party partisanship. great union and the labor movement. These young activists I look forward to the day when bipartisan support on bills showed promise, dedication and determination during this will be the new normal, as it should be. How powerful we historic week! will become when we all rise together. Tiffany McKee, Local 200L DeJonae Shaw, Local 7600 Delphos, Ohio Fontana, Calif. EMAIL: editor@usw.org USW active, retired members and their MAIL: USW@Work families are invited to “speak out.” Letters 60 Blvd of the Allies should be short and to the point. We Pittsburgh, PA 15222 reserve the right to edit for length. •
PUTTING FIRST USW Public Castor, a Local 9158 member and construction project man- Workers ager. “You’re working not just for yourself. You’re working Thrive Despite for everyone.” Challenges For the USW’s public workers in Boston and around W hen Joe Plagenza the country, that community- travels the streets of first spirit permeates their Boston, the reception workplaces and their union he gets resembles a family hol- halls. Nearly two years after iday or a high school reunion. the Supreme Court gave public Seemingly on every block in the employees the right to reap the city of 700,000, a resident has a benefits of union representation smile and a kind word for him. without paying dues, USW For the Local 9158 treasur- public employee locals are er and 30-year city employee, strong and growing thanks to it’s just another day at the a renewed focus on organiz- office. That’s because, for him, ing, both inside and outside of the office is synonymous with USW workplaces. his hometown. In June 2018, the right-wing Plagenza has spent most of court majority overturned de- his career responding to res- cades of precedent by ruling, in idents’ concerns on behalf of the case of Janus vs. AFSCME, the Boston parks department. that public workers no longer He also is one of the more than had to pay dues or even smaller 25,000 public workers across “fair share” fees to cover the North America who are mem- cost of bargaining, arbitration bers of the USW. and other union business. “As public employees, you “The Janus ruling was an carry a great burden on your attack on working people, but Greg Mosman, Local 9158 Photos by Steve Dietz shoulders,” said Roberson it also was a call to action,” •
The Steelworkers do Stefanie Seskin, Local 9158 a great job of keeping checks and balances. Michelle Alcaraz, LOCAL 8599 Anthony Hennessy Sr., Local 9158 Roberson Castor, Local 9158 Steven McHugh, David Hinton, Local 9158 Local 9158 •
said International Vice President Fred Redmond, who oversees bargaining for the union’s public workers. “That’s why we must keep fighting every day to organize new workplaces and demand that our elected officials make it easier for people in both the private and the public sectors to join unions.” Changing the game The Janus case was part of a decades- long, systematic effort by corporate America to starve unions financially and, thus, subjugate and silence workers. However, for USW members, so far the ruling has had the opposite effect. “We recognized that Janus was going to change the game,” said Jim Williams, president of Local 8599, which represents school employees in Fontana, Calif. “That’s why we focused on organizing from day one. We don’t have our heads in the sand.” Williams decided to put his strongest organizer in charge of welcoming new workers and encouraging them to get involved in the union. That approach has paid big dividends, with only eight of the local’s 1,900 members choosing not to pay dues. “I take it person- ally,” he said. “I am per- sonally offended when somebody opts out.” That devotion to building strength and solidarity is an attitude shared by the USW’s public workers, from Boston and Pitts- burgh to California and New Mexico. And the approach has been a success, not just for Steelworkers but for the families and communities they serve. “I take a lot of pride in the work that we do,” said Boston arborist and Local 9158 member Greg Mosman, who helps to care for the city’s 38,000 trees across 2,800 acres. “We make Boston a more beautiful city.” Mosman’s USW brother and colleague Anthony Hennessy is the city’s super- intendent of horticulture. He oversees roughly 40,000 plants and flowers each year in more than 100 locations. He said the work that he and his fellow city employees perform helps to give residents and visitors a more positive outlook on life. “Urban beautification is important work,” he said. “People love their city.” Maintaining quality of life The work that other public employees do, whether they drive school buses, serve in law enforcement, prepare food, maintain roads or perform other vital tasks, is also critical to the quality of life for residents. “Public employees always show up. Whenever something happens, we are there,” said Steven McHugh, deputy superintendent for Boston’s emergency medical service •
Jerry De La Torre, Local 9424 and a USW member. “Emergen- cies happen anytime, anywhere – nights, holidays, weekends.” That 24/7 need for services means that life can be difficult and unpredictable for public workers. “You learn to work around it,” McHugh said. “Sometimes, Christ- mas has to be on the 23rd or the 27th.” The misconception that public workers have overly comfort- able schedules or are a drain on taxpayers is a deliberate distortion created by the same anti-union Santiago Goytia, Local 9424 forces who supported the Janus case and who have been fighting against workers for decades, Williams said. Although unionized public workers have better retirement plans and more on-the-job protections than their non-union counterparts, they often make sacrifices in other areas to secure those benefits, said Joe Smith, president of Boston’s USW Local 9158, known as SENA (Salaried Employees of North America). “Nobody is getting rich doing this kind of work,” said Williams. “It has to be a labor of love, doesn’t it?” The Janus ruling was AN attack on working people, BUT IT WAS ALSO A CALL TO ACTION. International Vice President Fred Redmond U S W @ Wo r k • W i n t e r 2 0 2 0 7
Good contracts critical Still, with union membership comes a degree of certainty. Public workers’ contracts ensure that they receive good pay, quality benefits, fair scheduling, a secure retirement and respect on the job. These are benefits, won through years of labor activism, that some non- union workers simply take for granted, said Local 9424 President Filiberto Aguirre, who works as a water and sew- er line locator in the city of Las Cruces in southern New Mexico. But union workers have an added benefit. “I don’t have to worry about re- percussions for using my voice and doing what is right,” Aguirre explained. Ensuring that bosses treat work- ers fairly is one of the most important aspects of union membership, said Michelle Alcaraz, a Local 8599 member who works in tech support for Southern California’s Fontana Unified School District. That guarantee helps to ensure that women and men are treated equally in a profession that is often dominated by men, she said. “The Steelworkers do a great job of keeping checks and balances,” Alcaraz said. In the wake of the Janus ruling, that promise of justice and fairness can be one of the strongest selling points union leaders can use when organizing new members, Williams said. Another, he said, is the strength that comes from being Steelworkers. “There are financial pressures in so “We’re strong locally and national- many communities, and they want to ly,” said Williams, whose local rep- blame somebody,” he said. “The first resents employees of the Fontana school things they look at are the pensions, the district who are not classroom teachers health care.” or administrators. The local includes Public workers can fight back library aides, technical support and food against negative stereotypes by giving service workers, custodians and security back to their communities and by being officers. “We are part of a strong manu- good stewards of the public trust, Wil- facturing union.” liams said. “Sometimes people ask me what “All we have to do is continue to do products we make,” he said. “And we a good job,” he said. do make something – we make people. Maintaining public trust is part of They’re on a long, 13-year conveyor the job for USW member David Hinton, belt, and when they leave our factory, who manages a community center in they’re wearing that cap, if we do our inner-city Boston. His facility runs on a jobs right. We are all educators.” combination of support from city funds, Fighting stereotypes grants, private donations and nonprofit Williams said he understands the organizations. anti-public-worker trope is repeated so “It’s a good partnership, and it gives often by corporate and anti-union media the community a sense of ownership,” that many have come to accept it as Hinton said. fact. But he knows it is not. •
Value of public work a senior custodian in Fontana, said he For Aguirre, making a difference, Making sure that the public, and by knows that schoolchildren and other staff not just for the 400-plus members of extension elected officials, understand members appreciate his efforts to main- Local 9424, but for the 100,000 res- and buy into the value of their work is an tain a healthy environment for them. idents of his city, is what keeps him essential part of being a public employee, During a recent shift cleaning up af- coming back each day. said Boston’s Stephanie Seskin, a SENA ter a lunch period, a student approached If he makes a mistake on the job, Local 9158 member who plans and cre- him and placed a sticker on his shirt it could result in water getting cut off ates bicycle paths throughout the city. thanking him for his hard work. from homes, businesses, schools or Her work cuts down on traffic, “Little things like that make it worth hospitals. reduces the need for road repairs, helps coming in every day,” Romo said. “Even something like fire safety combat pollution and climate change, For the USW’s public workers, could be affected,” Aguirre said. “It makes travel safer and provides a fitness knowing that the people and communi- gives me pride to know that because of opportunity for residents, she said. ties they serve appreciate and support us, the water is going to keep running, “Working for the public is a heavy their work can be the difference between our parks are going to be clean, our fa- weight,” Seskin said. “But all of these staying in a job for decades and finding cilities are going to keep running. We’re things contribute to the public good.” employment elsewhere. That, in turn, keeping Las Cruces beautiful and safe.” Local 8599 member Richard Romo, keeps the USW’s public sector strong. We do make something - we ,make people. They re on a long, 13-year conveyor belt, and when they leave our factory, they,re wearing that [graduation] cap. Local 8599 PRESIDENT JIM WILLIAMS Michelle Alcaraz, Local 8599 Dawn Dooley, Local 8599 Jose Medina, Local 8599 Rosemarie Tibbels, Local 8599 Judy Nordlund, Local 8599 U S W @ Wo r k • W i n t e r 2 0 2 0 9
U SW members voted overwhelm- improvements to the retirement plans ingly to ratify a new four-year and sick and accident benefits took master agreement with packag- effect on Jan. 1. ing giant WestRock that sets standards WestRock is the second-largest for wages, benefits and working condi- packaging company in the United States tions for more than 9,400 members of and one of the world’s largest paper 71 local unions. and packaging companies, operating in The new contract, approved last more than 30 countries and generating December, contains wage increases annual revenue of nearly $20 billion. totaling about 10 percent over the term In September 2018, the USW, of the agreement, along with other sig- through IndustriALL and the UNI nificant improvements, particularly in Global Union, worked with other labor health and safety. The agreement main- organizations around the world to create tains the existing high-quality, afford- the Global WestRock Trade Union Alli- able health care plan with no changes ance to combat the effects of increasing and makes improvements to the pension globalization and consolidation. Inter- and 401(k) plans. national Vice President Leeann Foster, “Thousands of USW members who oversees bargaining in the union’s across the country stood together to paper sector, serves as a co-chair of that demand a fair contract with WestRock,” council of unions. International President Thomas M. Conway said. “With the strength and No concessions accepted solidarity of the membership behind Initially, the company approached them, our local leaders joined together the 160-member USW bargaining team at one bargaining table and won a fair with demands for concessions, includ- agreement. This victory is a credit to the ing cuts to health care and a two-tier entire membership.” wage system, but the membership stood The contract covers workers at 62 strong throughout the negotiations. WestRock facilities across 26 U.S. “The USW’s bargaining committee, states. While wage increases at each consisting of local union leaders from facility won’t go into effect until each every location and international leaders, local ratifies its individual agreement, entered these negotiations knowing that we were facing a number of challeng- es,” said Foster. “These challenges included the company’s proposals, but also overcapacity in the paperboard market, a shaky economic outlook, especially in manufacturing, and related falling box demand. All of these factors combined to create uncertainty.” Workers responded to the challenges head-on by standing together. They held Photo by Steve Dietz •
M a series of solidarity action days at embers of USW WestRock locations, which bolstered Locals 608 and the bargaining committee’s positions. 712 ratified a new In addition, the union’s global alliance agreement with Clearwater helped to deliver a strong message of Paper in Lewiston, Idaho, unity to the company, making it clear on Jan. 8 after negotiations that USW members would not take stalled over health care cov- steps backward. erage and other contract “Through the strength and soli- items. darity of the members in a year-long “It was a long and campaign involving all locations, we tedious 2 ½ years, but it was achieved a package with no conces- only by sticking together sions, no givebacks, only gains,” Foster that we got the agreement said. “In short, we achieved security we got today,” Local 712 for our members.” President Mark Rhodes said In addition to ensuring financial after the votes were counted. gains for members, the agreement The two USW locals and guarantees regular safety courses and Local 73 of the Internation- meetings at USW-represented facil- al Brotherhood of Electrical ities, establishes an annual company Workers together represent safety conference and commits the two more than 870 workers at parties to creating a labor-manage- the Lewiston facility. Their ment study on the effects of excessive new contracts run through overtime. August 2025. The contract, which runs through The union members 2023, covers workers at WestRock pa- turned down the company’s per mills and converting and merchan- last, best and final offer last dising display facilities in Alabama, summer by an overwhelm- Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colo- ing margin. rado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Rhodes gave credit to Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mis- the local’s Communications souri, New Jersey, New York, North Action Team for maintain- Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South ing solidarity. Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, “We had a great action Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington team. We distributed car and Wisconsin. window flyers saying, 'Fair “This contract sets a standard for Contract Now,' and our the industry,” Foster said. “It positions membership did not hold the company to succeed and invest in back voicing their unhap- our facilities while making sure that piness to their supervisors.” workers, families and communities continue to share in that success.” •
Proterra photo Winning Combination N e w U S W M e m b e r s B u i l d B at t e r y- P o w e r e d B u s e s G ood, family-sustaining union management that respects employees,” manager with Tesla, the electric car jobs can be green. The USW’s Conway said. “This is a winning com- company, voluntarily recognized the newest members include more bination not only for this company and USW as the bargaining agent on Nov. than 60 production workers who build these workers, but for our country as a 12, 2019, after an overwhelming ma- zero-emission, battery-powered electric whole as we look at the kind of jobs we jority of its California factory workers buses in California for Proterra, an want to have in the future.” signed authorization cards. emerging U.S. vehicle and energy stor- Headquartered in Burlingame, Proterra is also working with a age company. Calif., Proterra manufactures bat- nonprofit organization, Jobs to Move International President Thomas tery-powered transit buses up to 40 feet America (JMA), toward a community M. Conway congratulated the new in length, as well as electric charging benefits agreement that could commit members of Local 675 after Proterra stations that are located in maintenance the company to hire and train workers recognized the union last November at facilities and at bus route terminals. from disadvantaged backgrounds. its factory in the city of Industry, some The USW hopes Proterra will “This is what happens when a 30 miles east of Los Angeles. Local grow manufacturing in California. The company remains neutral and allows 675 is a large amalgamated local that company currently employs some 126 the employees to choose. The employ- represents thousands of oil refinery workers in LA County, including the ees choose union wholeheartedly,” workers. factory and the Burlingame headquar- organizing Director Maria Somma said. “In Proterra, we have a dedicated, ters. Proterra also has an assembly “Within 24 hours, a majority of work- highly skilled, productive work force, operation in Greenville, S.C., to serve ers signed cards in support of forming an American company committed to the East Coast. their union.” manufacturing in the United States and CEO Ryan Popple, a former finance Commuter buses are expected to be 12 U S W @ Wo r k • W i n t e r 2 0 2 0
the fastest growing segment of electric, “Over the last two to three years, heavy-duty vehicles as public transit transit agencies across the country authorities around the world move away have committed to purchasing more from diesel-fueled fleets to cleaner battery-powered electric buses,” said alternatives. Hector Huezo, senior workforce equity It is imperative that emerging clean coordinator for JMA in Los Angeles. technologies foster good jobs and “This is an opportunity to move to healthier communities, Conway said. cleaner technologies that are better for That means materials and components our environment. It’s also an opportuni- must be made in the United States and ty to ensure early on in a relatively new those workers who produce them should industry that workers building electric earn fair wages and good benefits. buses can have quality employment, “U.S. manufacturing and man- good working conditions and a voice on ufacturing workers are vital to the the job,” he said. innovation and economic future of this The local’s chief of staff, Xochitl country,” Conway said. “It’s important Cobarruvias, said the union can help that we capitalize on the technological promote the company while it seeks advancements and strengths of Ameri- new bus orders from public transit agen- can companies to seize the tremendous cies. “All of us, the workers, the union momentum happening in the domestic and the community, can work together. electric vehicle sector and promote Everybody wins,” she said. American leadership in this next trans- " This is a winning Employees were invited in late Oc- portation revolution.” tober to meet representatives of Local The USW is partners with JMA, a combination not 675, known for representing oil refinery national nonprofit organization with only for this com- workers. The local convinced Proterra offices in Chicago, New York, Bir- employees that they understood the is- mingham, Ala., and Los Angeles. JMA pany and these sues related to climate change and were builds community coalitions and lobbies workers, but for committed to helping existing members for public transit agencies to create local our country as a survive an eventual transition to a more jobs when spending money on buses, carbon-neutral economy. trains and other manufactured equip- whole as we look “This is not about one or the other,” ment. at the kind of jobs said staff rep Moises Hernandez, who “This is a first-of-a-kind in achiev- we want to have worked on the campaign. “We need ing collective bargaining rights for us workers in both sectors. They will all because we did it with the support of in the future. " have wages, benefits and a voice at their a coalition of different organizations jobs.” aligned with Jobs to Move America,” INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT Two weeks later, the Proterra work- Somma said. “It’s a real recognition that Thomas M. Conway ers chose the USW through card check. collective bargaining is a benefit to the “This is my first time being in a communities where our members live.” union, and I’m actually excited about The partnership first approached it,” Blanchard Pinto, a supervisor on Proterra a few years ago when it an- the assembly line, told the Los Angeles nounced it was considering a factory Times. “It was a no-brainer for me that location in California, which offers tax it was something we could use for job credits and other help to companies that stability.” establish permanent facilities and hire Popple, the CEO, said the coopera- locally. tion with the USW is an unprecedented The factory was funded in part by a opportunity to solve some of the great- $3 million grant from the California En- est challenges of the day while creating ergy Commission, which spends $100 and preserving quality American manu- million a year to spur green innovation facturing jobs. in a transportation system responsible “Proterra and the United Steelwork- for much of the state’s greenhouse gas ers share a common vision to support emissions. American workers while building a In 2017, the LA Metro committed healthier and more resilient future for to full bus electrification by 2030 and is all, and we look forward to a strong actively seeking funding to buy bat- partnership,” Popple said. tery-powered buses and make system changes to accommodate them. •
John Kanosky Photos by Steve Dietz S hades, globes and other light “Hand Made Glass by Skilled Craftsmen.” a distinction that USW members take fixtures sold throughout America Only a few companies can make that pride in and labor to maintain. are hand-crafted by USW mem- claim. Davis-Lynch is one of the last “It’s a dying art, but it’s hard,” said bers at a West Virginia factory that’s hand-blown glass factories in America, Mark Morris, a glass blower for 19 years, surviving stiff competition from foreign noting the job requires strong lungs and imports. the stamina to wield blowpipes holding At Davis-Lynch Glass Co. in Star City, as much as 30 pounds of glass. a small town of 2,500 residents near Bob Lynch, co-owner of Davis-Lynch, Morgantown, about 45 members of said the top-quality craftsmanship keeps Local 1-09 keep two dying arts alive: customers—including home stores, dis- They hand-blow glass pieces and tributors and contractors—coming back. hand-decorate them. “You look at some of the homes being The finished products—including globes built, and you’ll see some of our glass for commercial lighting fixtures, elegant and fixtures,” he said, adding he’s proud tops for torchieres and ornately painted of the company’s strong relationship shades for table lamps—are shipped out in with the USW. boxes with a red stamp that says: 14 U S W @ Wo r k • W i n t e r 2 0 2 0
Turning sand to glass The glassmaking begins in a room lighted by fires fueled with natural gas in open-faced tanks. Each afternoon, workers add sand and chemicals to the tanks. The raw materials meld together, producing a fresh batch of molten glass to use the next day. Several workers operate as a team or shop. The gatherer works molten glass onto the end of a blowpipe, then blows and shapes it into a small ball. “You breathe life into the glass, really,” explained Mike Radwell, a gatherer who’s worked at Davis-Lynch for about two years. Next, a ball boy takes the pipe and blows into it, enlarging the glass orb. A blocker takes the pipe back to the tank, adds more molten glass onto the existing ball to make it bigger, and smooths and rounds it. Maneuvering in close quarters with hot glass, the workers must anticipate each other’s movements to avoid injury and keep production moving. Finally, the blower, standing on a raised plat- form, takes over. Beneath him, steam rises from a hot mold that’s just been hosed down to remove impurities from the last use. It’s one of hundreds of molds in the factory, some used exclusively to produce special items for select clients. Depending on the size and shape of the product being made, the blower further enlarges the glass ball or swings the pipe to elongate the glass. Then he puts the glass into the mold. He blows until the glass fills out the mold while simultaneously turning the pipe to prevent the mold from leaving marks. When done, his co-workers open the mold and remove a perfectly formed shade, globe or other product that is then annealed, or tough- ened, while slowly running through a lehr oven, or long kiln, to other parts of the plant. After that, the products may be decorated or trimmed so that they fit onto a lamp or another fixture. Then they’re packed and shipped. Founded in 1943 Davis-Lynch has been producing glass this way since the company’s founding in 1943 by Mert Davis and R. Emmett Lynch, both of whom worked at other glassmakers before striking out on their own. Today, the company is run by Lynch’s sons, Bob and John. Bob’s sons, Rob and Scott, also work there. Scott Fike •
At its peak, in the 1970s, the compa- ny employed about 330, including 60 to 70 decorators. It had as many as 16 shops running during a single shift. It operated its own fleet of trucks. Back then, the company did a lot of business with New York lamp manu- facturers, who, in turn, sold to major department store chains. But consoli- dation in the retail industry and over- seas competition – first from Mexico, now China and Europe – eroded that market for Davis-Lynch’s goods. “When you can import lamps at cheap prices, it hurts,” Lynch said. Now, only a couple of shops oper- ate at a time. Davis-Lynch survives by forging new niches. For example, it sells fixtures for office buildings looking to do away with fluorescent lights. It markets to buyers—includ- Cody Benninghoff ing Schoolhouse and Rejuvenation, a branch of Williams-Sonoma Inc.— that specialize in custom and high- end home goods. Rejuvenation buys opal and crystal shades from Davis-Lynch and uses them in fixtures it manufactures in Portland, Ore. On its webpage, Rejuvenation promotes the “gentle, graceful curves, the flawless struc- ture, artisanal hand-painted touches, and the undeniable character” of Davis-Lynch’s work. Each piece unique Davis-Lynch is revamping its own website to better showcase USW company’s efforts to find new cus- them for decals. members’ workmanship—the com- tomers for those lost to foreign trade. Rowe wears no apron, uses noth- pany’s chief selling point in an age of But she worries about the long-term ing to steady her hand and proudly mass-produced goods. prospects for the special skills she declares: “I don’t slop paint.” “We’d like for people to get more and her co-workers have. She’s looked at imported lighting interested in what we do,” said deco- “It’s just going to be lost,” she said. fixtures in stores and wondered why rator Kathleen Rowe. No two pieces Rowe contributes to the exceptional anyone would buy them. Some of of hand-blown glass are exactly the appearance of Davis-Lynch products. them, she said, look like they’ve been same, she said, and the uniqueness She hand-paints lines, floral patterns decorated with house paint instead of makes them special. and other designs on shades and oth- the special kind she uses. Rowe, who’s worked at Da- er products after they cool. They’re Davis-Lynch is part of a rich glass- vis-Lynch for 25 years, praised the so lovely that some people mistake making tradition in West Virginia, •
Donnie Cost Leanna Brown Shane Stephens Rodney Jaggie Annette Justus and some of its products are featured in the Museum of American Glass in Weston, W.Va. Over the years, workers said, they’ve recognized the company’s products on television shows and in hotels, restaurants and Disney parks. There’s no mistaking them, said Mike King, a blocker for 13 years. “Just seeing them, you can tell.” Kathleen Rowe •
BATTLING OVER THE BALLOT BOX Union Activists Attend Political Boot Camp to Honor Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King JR. E lection Day 2020, when Amer- the basic tenet of democracy. To reverse it’s something we need to fight back on.” icans will head to the polls this, workers and activists must reclaim to make their voices heard, is their collective power, Trumka said. Running for office around the corner. Yet the freedom to “We’re not going to shy away from Marcia Cannon, a biochemistry lab- vote remains under attack 55 years after this fight because we’re the ones who oratory technician for Merck Pharma- passage of the Voting Rights Act. make America great,” Trumka said. ceuticals in Pennsylvania and a member That’s why nearly 400 union activists of Local 10-00086, was inspired by a from across the United States hustled Grassroots action workshop on the importance of women through a weekend of political bootcamp AFL-CIO Vice President Tefere running for office at all levels. at the annual AFL-CIO Martin Luther Gebre also touched on the need for “It was really empowering,” said King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Con- grassroots action in the fight for eco- Cannon, who has been considering ference in Washington, D.C. nomic and racial justice. running for a position on her local’s ex- “Dr. King’s fight, our fight, was for “Real change happens on the ecutive board. After hearing the work- goals both big and basic,” AFL-CIO ground,” said Gebre, who came to the shop facilitator’s call to move beyond President Richard Trumka said in his United States as a refugee from Ethiopia merely talking to walking, Cannon said, opening speech on Jan.17. “It was also in the 1980s. “I think I just may take her advice.” about the insidious and inane injustices The activists turned from talking Everything union activists do must that protected the powerful.” about making change to creating it by be done in solidarity and for the cause Members from multiple unions, volunteering with several organiza- of the common good, Cannon said. including a large delegation of Steel- tions in the D.C. area on the second “It’s about humanity and about us workers, gathered at the nation’s capital day of the conference. USW members, all working together,” she said. “When for three days of reflection and action in including Sarah Werth of Local 12775 we work together in our community, we honor of the slain civil and labor rights in northern Indiana, spent the morning make a difference to our country.” hero. Dynamic panels and workshops delivering groceries to home-bound The weekend’s closing reception at the event focused on protecting and residents, while others painted walls at echoed Cannon’s sentiment as Inter- strengthening voters’ and workers’ rights, a local veterans’ center and helped serve national Vice President Fred Redmond to which Dr. King devoted his life. breakfast at a nursing home. reminded attendees to take what they The first day of the conference Werth, an equipment operator at gas learned at the conference and use it to included conversations about attacks and electric company NIPSCO, came to bolster the labor movement back home. on the ballot box, as legislatures across the conference with the hope of learn- “You must leave here committed to the country pass laws that weaken the ing how to better protect her members do the work of changing our country,” ability of citizens to vote. from discrimination. As vice president said Redmond, who is co-chair of the Gerrymandering, draconian voter of her county’s AFL-CIO labor council, AFL-CIO Civil and Human Rights purges as seen in states like Wisconsin she found a workshop on union ballot Committee. “This is our opportunity to and Georgia, squashing access to voting initiatives valuable. build a better future for our children and on college campuses and restrictive ID “It’s hard to get labor issues on the our grandchildren, and the stakes are laws are all systematically undermining ballot here in Indiana,” said Werth. “We too high for us not to do the work.” have right-to-work now in our state and 18 U S W @ Wo r k • W i n t e r 2 0 2 0
HOUSE PASSES PRO ACT Employers Violate Federal Law in 41.5% of All Union Election Campaigns T he USW called on the U.S. Senate employers violate the law. avoidance industry got its start after the to quickly pass a comprehensive “For too long, we’ve seen workers’ National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) labor reform bill, the Protecting wages stagnating and benefits being cut was enacted in 1935. Before then, em- the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, after it while productivity, corporate profits and ployers had the legal liberty to spy upon, was approved by a bipartisan vote of the CEO pay keep increasing,” said Eduardo question, punish, blacklist and fire union U.S. House of Representatives. Placencio, a USW member who attended members. “Workers have the right to join to- the House vote and whose local (937) is Attempts to thwart organizing are gether to improve their lives on the job, engaged in an unfair labor practice strike widespread. The report estimated that and the PRO Act three-quarters of all will make sure that employers engaged fundamental right in union elections is protected,” Inter- with 50 or more national President voters hired union Thomas M. Con- avoidance consul- way said after the tants. Feb. 6 House vote. “The main goal “Too often, com- of union avoidance panies bully and consulting firms is intimidate workers to prevent a union to keep unions out election from tak- and face little to no ing place—and if punishment, even that fails, to ensure in cases when they that workers vote break the law.” against the union,” The 224-to-194 Photo by Steve Dietz the report said. House vote was an From left to right: Johnny Archuleta, Richard Perez, Director of Rapid Response Amber Miller, Michael Sanchez, John Saavedra and Eduardo Placencio Using infor- important elec- mation gathered tion-year gain for through Freedom labor even though the measure, opposed against ASARCO, the mining company. of Information Act requests and from by corporations and anti-union lawmak- “The PRO Act will reverse those trends government reports, EPI found that em- ers, faces an uphill fight in the Senate and help rebuild the American middle ployers in 2016 and 2017 were charged and a promised presidential veto. class.” with violating federal law in 41.5 percent It’s an opportunity, a litmus test, to of all union campaigns conducted under see who stands with workers. Employers break the law National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) “So many politicians in Washington, Employers routinely engage in a oversight. including President Trump and members wide range of tactics – both legal and Employers were charged with ille- of the Senate, got elected by promising illegal – without fear of reprisal to frus- gally coercing, threatening or retaliating to stand up for workers. Now, we will trate workers’ rights to form unions and against workers for supporting a union in find out if that’s all just talk,” Conway collectively bargain, according to a study nearly a third (29.2 percent) of cases. said. supporting the PRO Act by the Eco- They were accused of illegally “The Senate should pass the PRO nomic Policy Institute (EPI), a nonprofit disciplining workers for union support at Act, and the president should sign it. think tank. about the same rate. It’s time to take some of the power out Employers’ bad behavior includes That type of activity should stop. of the hands of corporate America and making illegal threats, engaging in “Under the PRO Act, companies will Wall Street and give it back to working surveillance, harassing workers and face real consequences for their behav- Americans.” spending $340 million annually on legal ior, and workers will be able to choose The PRO Act would make it easier “union avoidance” consultants to stave for themselves – without interference for workers to certify unions, restrict off representation elections. – whether they want to join a union,” some of the most damaging tactics Employer interference is not new. Conway said. employers use to oppose organizing, Union busting dates to the Industri- and impose meaningful penalties when al Revolution, and the modern union U S W @ Wo r k • W i n t e r 2 0 2 0 19
U SW members took the fight for unite us,” International Vice President Conway said, urging the members in workers’ rights to the halls of Roxanne Brown said in her opening attendance to take what they learned the U.S. Capitol and the streets remarks to members of the Rapid in Washington back to their locals and of Washington, D.C., during the union’s Response program, the USW’s nonpar- expand the union’s base of activism. three-day Rapid Response and Legisla- tisan, grassroots effort to educate and “That’s how we build strength, and tive Policy Conference. mobilize members on issues important that’s how we build unity,” he said. The climax of the annual event, to working families. held last October, came on the final day In the two days before the legislative Undercutting workers’ rights when more than 700 activists, divided meetings, union members engaged in The conference occurred against the into small groups, visited the offices dozens of training sessions and panel backdrop of a series of National Labor of hundreds of members of Congress discussions designed to prepare them Relations Board and Labor Department to push for legislation to ensure safer for sometimes difficult conversations decisions undercutting workers’ rights. workplaces, protect union organizing with elected officials. But Conway warned: “This union’s rights, preserve endangered pension International President Thomas not going to go away. We’re going to funds, and secure stronger protections in M. Conway said the strength of the continue to confront them on the issues the new United States-Mexico-Canada 25-year-old Rapid Response program is affecting us in the workplace.” Agreement (USMCA). the main reason why the USW “punches Brown noted that advocacy, espe- The conference included detailed way above its weight” in influencing cially related to pensions and work- presentations addressing each of those legislators on Capitol Hill and in state- place safety, is enshrined in the USW’s four legislative priorities. houses around the country. founding principles. And retired “All of these principles are the “The labor movement is the only Secretary-Treasurer Stan Johnson, who ties that bind us and the values that voice that stands up for workers,” was involved in the Rapid Response •
program from its earliest days and who That nonpartisan, issue-based Organize (PRO) Act, a bill that would oversaw its growth in his role as an approach is one of the hallmarks of strengthen workers’ rights to organize International officer, explained that the the program and one of the keys to its and penalize employers who illegally program is needed to counter corporate success. obstruct those efforts. The House passed America’s army of lobbyists. On Oct. 29, USW members held a the bill on Feb. 6. “Corporate America is always at the rally outside the U.S. Department of District 10 Rapid Response Coordi- table,” Johnson said. “This makes sure Labor calling for support for HR 1309, nator George Piasecki said the PRO Act our voices are heard, too.” the Workplace Violence Prevention for gets to the heart of everything that the Amber Miller, who became director Health Care and Social Service Work- union is about. of the Rapid Response program in 2019, ers Act. About a dozen lawmakers and “Every right we have in the work- said that workers must demand that law- several USW members spoke in support place is connected to a piece of legisla- makers listen to them, or their priorities of the legislation, which would require tion,” he said. will be pushed aside. health care employers to implement In lobbying for the PRO Act, the District 1 Director Donnie Blatt, a violence-prevention plans to protect Workplace Violence Prevention Act and Rapid Response activist since its found- their workers. the Butch Lewis Act, Jackson Suter, a ing, said the program works because it Stephanie Adams, a nursing assistant maintenance technician at U.S. Steel’s is a member-driven initiative. and member of Local 9230 in Minneso- Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock, “You are the reason this program ta, said that violence is a more common Pa., found a friendly ear in U.S. Rep. is a success,” Blatt told the delegates, occurrence in the health care field than Mike Doyle, whose father was a mem- who were urged to help recruit the next most people realize. ber of Suter’s union, Local 1219. generation of activists from among the “Sometimes it feels like manage- Doyle thanked the USW members USW’s younger members. ment doesn’t care about violence in our for their support and said any new trade workplace but, thankfully, we have a agreements must include strong protec- Achievements made union that does care,” Adams said. tions for workers and communities. Blatt, Secretary-Treasurer John The next day, Steelworkers marched Shinn and other speakers offered a to Capitol Hill armed with more than Changing minds series of examples of the program’s 80,000 postcards signed by USW mem- Suter said that while Doyle supports national- and state-level achievements bers demanding that Congress pass the all of the USW’s priorities, Braddock over the years, from lobbying for trade law. residents may be more difficult to con- enforcement actions in the mid-1990s Vernon Beck, president of Local vince. Attending the Rapid Response to save a Dayton, Ohio, citric acid plant 12775, asked an aide to Rep. Larry conference gave him the information to calling for an extension of unem- Bucshon of Indiana to get the congress- and the confidence he needs “to change ployment benefits to hasten the end of a man — a cardiothoracic surgeon before some minds,” he said. lockout at National Grid in Massachu- coming to Congress — to sign on as a Changing minds one at a time is ex- setts in 2018. co-sponsor. actly what the Rapid Response program “We fight for every job,” said Inter- “It’s not a major ask. It’s not a heavy was designed to do, said retired Secre- national Vice President David McCall. lift,” Beck told the aide in a hallway out- tary-Treasurer Johnson. “That’s why this work is so important.” side the congressman’s office as about “One-on-one conversations are at Through Rapid Response, the USW 15 other USW members looked on. the core of this program,” Johnson said. was instrumental in gathering 300,000 “Rapid Response has fundamentally signatures to force a referendum on a Health care violence changed who we are as a union.” so-called “right-to-work” bill passed by U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney of Con- In addition to Johnson, retired Inter- Missouri’s legislature in 2017. In 2018, necticut, lead sponsor of the workplace national President Leo W. Gerard also 67.5 percent of voters voted against the violence prevention bill, said the level made an appearance, closing out the law, rolling it back. of violence in health care was “horri- conference by presenting the union’s in- “We won big,” Bob Ryan, District fying” and that the rate of increase in augural Leo W. Gerard Visionary Award 11 Rapid Response coordinator, told the recent years was particularly alarming. to Local 13-1 President Lee Medley. delegates. In recognition of his efforts on Following an introduction by U.S. David Beard, a member of Local behalf of workers, the USW presented Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, 752L at Cooper Tire in Arkansas, said Courtney with a 2019 USW Paul Well- Gerard praised Medley for his leader- the work that members do in Washing- stone Award, an annual tribute named in ship and urged the attendees to continue ton is only a small part of the equation honor of the late Minnesota senator and to build the union through relentless when it comes to the need for activism champion of labor who died in a plane organizing. in the labor movement. crash in 2002. “The labor movement didn’t get “This isn’t about who is living in The union also presented a 2019 born; the labor movement got built,” the White House,” Beard said. “This is Wellstone Award to U.S. Rep. Bobby Gerard said. “This is a great union, and about who is living in our house, and in Scott of Virginia, who in 2019 in- it’s because we built it.” our plants.” troduced the Protecting the Right to •
USW MEMBERS RALLY District 11 Director Emil Ramirez (Center) carries a banner with Assistant Director International Vice President Cathy Drummond and members including Roxanne Brown Deanna Hughes. • Photos by Steve Dietz
H undreds of USW members rallied outside the U.S. Kicked in the face Department of Labor to demand protections for health Health care workers are groped by patients with dementia care workers who are often kicked, punched, groped and assaulted by patients with mental health problems, brain and threatened on the job. injuries and drug addictions. Yet many employers look the The protestors, which included health care workers wear- other way when health care workers are injured or claim that ing hospital scrubs, urged passage of the Workplace Violence the risk of violence comes with the job. Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act “They don’t do anything,” said Joel Maya, an EKG tech- (H.R. 1309/S. 851). nician and member of Local 7600 in Fontana, Calif. Maya The bill would compel the U.S. Labor Department to issue expressed frustration with employers’ lack of concern for a workplace violence prevention standard requiring health worker safety. care and social service employers to implement violence pre- One patient threatened to kill Maya. Another threw a tray vention plans tailored to each workplace. Possible safeguards at him. A third patient, unhappy with a co-payment he had to range from enclosed reception areas at doctor’s offices to make, threw his checkbook and wallet at him. panic buttons enabling workers to summon help when they’re Tuan Vu, a behavioral health technician and member of in danger. the Essentia Red Book unit of Local 9460 in Duluth, Minn., The legislation passed the House in November after the said one of his co-workers was kicked in the face while staff union’s rally on Oct. 28. By the time USW@Work went to members tried to calm an out-of-control patient. Another press, the bill had not been brought to a vote in the Senate. co-worker was injured during a fight involving three youths. “We put up with a lot at work. We shouldn’t get punched “I’ve been bitten, scratched, hit, several times this year,” in the face,” International President Thomas M. Conway Vu said, noting many of his patients have problems with said before the rally, which was held in conjunction with the impulse control. USW’s Rapid Response Legislative and Policy Conference in Some health care workers said they manage too many Washington, D.C. patients alone and hope the workplace violence bill forces Passage of the violence prevention bill is one of the employers to maintain adequate staffing levels. USW’s priorities. Marketa Anderson, president of Local 9349 in Chisholm, Police blocked off streets as USW members marched from Minn., sometimes works alone with 10 patients at a center for the conference hotel to the Labor Department a mile away. people with developmental disabilities. Over 19 years on the The chanting was so loud that officials of the Occupational job, she’s been hit, kicked, head-butted, slammed against a Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mentioned it when wall and had a chair thrown at her. a delegation of members went inside to meet with them about “If somebody goes off, you hope you can get to the phone the bill. and call 911 because there’s nobody there to help you,” she said. “We heard you coming,” one official said. International Vice President at Large Roxanne Brown opened the rally by demanding action on workplace violence, TAKE ACTION! a problem that’s only gotten worse in the last few years. Violence reports increase From 2008 to 2017, workplace violence in the health care and social service industries increased 69 percent. Health care CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND ASK THEM TO and social workers are five times more likely to suffer work- SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS TO PROTECT WORKERS: place violence than workers in other fields. Other speakers at the rally included U.S. Sens. Sherrod Butch Lewis Act (S. 2254) Brown of Ohio and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Reps. The U.S. House passed this bill in July to protect endan- Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Joe gered pensions and ensure workers get the secure retirement Morelle of New York, and Conor Lamb and Susan Wild of they earned. Urge your senators to support the bill. Pennsylvania. Brown noted that the Labor Department building is named Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act (S. 1306) for pioneer labor activist Frances Perkins, who redoubled her Urge your senators to support the PRO Act, which would remove barriers to union organizing and establish stronger fight for workplace safety after 146 workers, most of them penalties for companies that illegally block those efforts. young women, died in the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City. The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health The senator said it sickens him to know that corporate Care and Social Service Workers Act (S.851) attorneys climb the steps of that building and go inside to Urge your senators to support the workplace violence oppose worker safety regulations. prevention bill, which would require health care and social Instead of improving workplace safety, Wild said, the service employers to implement violence-prevention plans. Trump administration has rolled back worker protections and left OSHA inspection positions vacant. Contact your U.S. senators by visiting Senate.gov and “It’s signaled to workers across the country that (corpora- clicking “Find Your Senators.” Or call the U.S. Capitol tions) won’t be held accountable if they fail to maintain a safe switchboard at (202) 224-3121. workplace,” Wild said. •
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