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Health Care Workers Council talks organizing, technology at annual meeting The union’s Health Care Workers Council strategized for the future of the union and the evolving industry in Pittsburgh last December, leaving the city with several action plans moving forward. Over the group’s two-day session, the activists reported on their districts’ work, including pushing legislators to pass the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act. The bill passed the House late last year, thanks in large part to the council’s work with the Rapid Response program collecting more than 80,000 postcards in support of the legislation, which now faces an uphill battle in the U.S. Senate. The diverse council of heath care members also talked about the coming of automation and the impact it is already having on the industry. District 12 Health Care Council Coordinator Alma Garzon spoke on her experience attending Unite the Union’s health care conference last fall that focused on automation and technology. “Technology absolutely is a great tool to use,” said Garzon, “but it should not replace bodies and real workers.” Another challenge facing the health care industry the members touched on was short-staffing. But activists like Kim Smith, a health care staff representative in District 9, believe there is more opportunity than opposition when it comes to fixing this and many other problems. “The health care sector right now is primed for organizing,” said Smith. USW Vice President Fred Redmond, who oversees the council, addressed the group and also agreed that there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future. He said the work of the council is indicative of the recent changes in the union toward expanding its organizing efforts and diversifying an already diverse membership. “This is a growth sector,” said Redmond. “And how we grow this council and get engaged is going to be crucial in strengthening our ability to represent health care workers. Our union is on the move.” — Jan 13
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Wishing you a happy end of 2019 and thank you Greetings, I’m writing to wish you a happy end of the year. With a little over a week left of 2019, I am reaching out to thank you for your efforts in building our union this year. From local union barbeques and anniversary events to rallies and picket lines, tens of thousands of USW members have worked tirelessly to make our union stronger. I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish together. We fought for an end to unfair steel and aluminum tariffs, we took on corporate giants like ABI, Glencore and Western Forest Products with determination and grit and we pushed the federal government on NAFTA/USMCA. We also brought together more than 600 local union leaders, staff and rank and file activists for our National Policy Conference in Vancouver in April, which was a great success. There was the federal election, where hundreds of USW members engaged in local campaigns and Steelworkers Vote schools. As a union, we supported members who were out on strike or locked out by bullish employers. To be sure, we lost members due to layoffs and workplace closures, which is painful and a terrible tragedy for our union and communities. But we have also gained thousands of new members, who made the courageous choice to stand up for the rights and join USW. This is a great source of optimism and renewal. At the international level, our union underwent important leadership changes with the retirement of our mentors and friends Leo W. Gerard and Carol Landry and a number of others. Thank to you everyone who attended the very special tribute event in October. Our International President Tom Conway is off to an exciting start and I am looking forward to continuing to work together. It has been a busy year, but a gratifying one. Next year promises more excitement, with a steel sector conference and lobby in Ottawa, the Canadian Labour Congress Convention in Vancouver (both in May), the USW International Convention in Las Vegas in August and our Justice Conference (Health, Safety, Environment and Human Rights) in Montreal and much more. We’ll have many opportunities to meet, exchange ideas and build our union now and for the future. Over the next week, I hope that you’ll have the opportunity for time off with loved ones. On behalf of USW members across the country and with the Directors of District 3, 5 and 6, I wish you a happy end of the year and a great beginning of 2020. I’m looking forward to this upcoming year. In solidarity, Ken Neumann National Director — Dec 23
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USW Cares: 2019 Jefferson Award Winners Announced Since 2015, the USW has partnered with the Jefferson Awards Foundation, recently renamed Multiplying Good, to celebrate Steelworkers who do amazing works of community service, and to show the world that Steelworkers have big hearts. The USW is proud to have generous and compassionate members who foster a culture of giving back in our union. Don’t forget to nominate members who are active in their communities for the USW Jefferson Awards and encourage your brothers and sisters to do the same! The Canadian winners follow: District 3 – Brian Arnold, retired from Local 7619: Over the nearly 30 years he worked in a mine and over the course of his lifetime, even after he retired, Brian has devoted his life on a daily basis to the sincerest service and care of everyone around him. He visits hospitals to check on friends and co-workers, he volunteers as a pastor to those who are sick or otherwise afflicted, and he has participated in countless community events and fundraisers for worthy causes. District 5 – Gilles Bordeleau, retired from Local 6887: Although retired, Gilles is still active in his local as a member of its Retirement Committee. He meets with workers and their families to explain the defined benefit pension plan and other benefits. Bordeleau is founder of the breakfast program “Petits déjeuners CCR” for the children of St-Octave school of Montréal-East. He organizes the collection of Christmas baskets for distribution to the most disadvantaged people of the Montréal-East and Pointe-aux-Trembles area, and he created a soccer league for people with trisomy, a genetic disorder. District 6 – Alex Patterson, Local 6500: Alex is on the Health Sciences North Foundation Board in Sudbury, Ontario. He dedicates much of his spare time and energy to the board, which funds a variety of projects for the hospital ranging from raising money for equipment to donating to other causes that help better serve hospital patients. Most recently, the board has been raising funds to purchase two badly needed MRI machines for the hospital. SOAR – Eleanor Gattafoni-Robinson, District 3: Eleanor organizes the annual Terry Fox Run, fundraises for Relay for Life, is heavily involved with her church’s service and philanthropy, volunteers for Silver City Days, cooks and serves food for junior hockey teams and fans at Cominco Arena, provides service and support to struggling community members at Trail Association for Community Living, is serving her fourth consecutive term as a city councilor, and does so much more. She is truly devoted to building her community. Friends say her impact is priceless. — Dec 16
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USW District 6 is Seeking Applications for Casual Organizers If you are interested in helping other workers exercise their collective rights and grow our union, this may be an opportunity for you. If you meet the requirements below, we want to hear from you! REQUIREMENTS:
- Must have collective agreement leave language that allows you to take union leave for short and long term.
- Must have the ability to be away from home for up to three weeks at a time.
- Must be outgoing and be comfortable talking to strangers.
- Must be able to work all different hours.
- Must be able to work alone or in a team setting.
- Must be a member of a USW District 6 local union.
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Winnipeg General Strike Musical Heads to Major Theatres Winnipeg General Strike Musical Heads to Major Theatres May 15, 1919 might have started as a regular day in Winnipeg, but the six weeks that followed changed our country, and the world, forever. Over 30,000 workers participated in a what is now called the Winnipeg General Strike, walking off their jobs to protest massive unemployment, poor working conditions and poverty wages. Stand! The Musical, follows Stefan, a Ukrainian refugee, and Rebecca, his Jewish suffragette neighbour, as they attempt to navigate love against a backdrop of deep inequality and racial discrimination. Returning soldiers are pitted against immigrants, while the rich continue to make off with massive wealth, until a movement develops that lets workers unite to fight for basic human dignity. The United Steelworkers are proud to have been one of the sponsors for this movie. Stand! premiered during the Toronto International Film Festival this past fall, and has now returned for a wider release starting November 29 in select Canadian cities: VICTORIA Silver City NANAIMO Galaxy VANCOUVER International Village Silver City Riverport MISSION Silver City EDMONTON Scotia Bank Theatre CHINOOK Scotia Bank Theatre SASKATOON Scotia Bank Theatre REGINA Galaxy WINNIPEG Scotia Bank Theatre Cineplex McGillivray TORONTO Yonge and Dundas HAMILTON Cineplex OTTAWA Scotia Bank Theatre LONDON Westmount WINDSOR Silver City OSHAWA Cineplex BARRIE Galaxy GUELPH Galaxy MONTREAL Forum LAVAL Cineplex ST. FOY Cineplex HALIFAX Scotia Bank Theatre ST. JOHN’S, NL Mount Pearl For more information, please visit: http://stand-movie.com/ — Nov 28