Where and when are the 2012 Regional Rapid Response Conferences being held?
Atlanta, GA – February 21-24 Philadelphia, PA – April 2-4
Los Angeles, CA – March 13-16 Detroit, MI – May 9-11
Will there be a national conference in Washington, D.C. in 2012?
No. Given that so many threats and actions are occurring at the state and
local level, this year we’re going regional so that more locals will have the
opportunity to participate and build the skills needed turn this nation around.
But, this is a one-year change. We’ll certainly be back in D.C. again!
What will the conference format be?
The Rapid Response conferences will focus heavily on skill-building
workshops, learning from each other through networking sessions and
strengthening our ability to respond and lead on legislative issues. For each
set of dates, Rapid Response sessions will be the first half, with the Regional
Good Jobs Green Jobs (GJGJ) conferences occurring for the latter half.
Can I earn a certificate of completion since this is training-focused?
Yes. After participating in the series of training workshops that make up the
roughly two-day Rapid Response portion of the conference, participants will
receive a Certificate of Completion in Rapid Response Essentials.
Is this geared towards those who are new to Rapid Response or for those with
experience?
Both. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn, share ideas and brainstorm
and that requires those with experience as well as those who are new to Rapid
Response. The skill-based programs will cover the basics, but also present new
information and tools to take our programs to the next level.
Which conference should our local attend?
Locals can attend the conference of their choosing. We expect that most
locals will choose the nearest conference geographically.
Will the conferences be the same?
Yes, for the most part. Each conference will feature the same basic
information and the same workshops will be offered. Some details may vary by
region.
How can I register?
Visit the Rapid Response website at
www.uswrr.org to view the call letter and details on registration!
What if I have more questions?
Call us anytime at 412-562-2291. If you’re calling after hours, leave us a
message and we’ll be back in touch!
December 6, 2011
Unhappy Holidays?
The U.S. Department of Labor tracks long-term unemployment. They’ve been at
it since 1948. In that entire time, we’ve never seen a stretch of high
unemployment and long-term joblessness like the present. Congress has never cut
off federally funded benefits – those that kick in when state benefits are
exhausted – when unemployment was anywhere near this high. That is, until now.
At the moment, a number of obstructionists in Congress are putting this
lifeline for jobless workers in jeopardy by holding it ransom for partisan
priorities, like tax cuts for the wealthiest. It doesn’t matter that the jobs
simply aren’t there – right now there are four job-seekers for every opening –
or that when the new year arrives, nearly two million Americans will lose their
federal benefits.
Losing benefits has very real consequences. It can mean the difference
between just scraping by and falling into poverty, between living in a home and
living in a car, between food on the table and going hungry. And, it’s not just
jobless workers who will fall further into economic despair if federal benefits
evaporate. We can expect more foreclosures to impact the housing market, less
money to bolster small businesses, and additional economic impacts that will
directly or indirectly hurt us all.
It’s time for Congress to act.
This Thursday in Washington, jobless
workers and allies will hold a prayer vigil and then lobby Congress to extend
critical federal unemployment benefits. Across the country, dozens more events
and meetings will take place.
To find out if there is an event near you, visit:
www.AmericaWantstoWork.org
Reminder! Registration is now open for the 2012 Regional Rapid Response
Conferences! Visit www.uswrr.org for details.
After watching the video, take
action to oppose
dangerous and job-killing trade agreements.
Find our current national action
HERE.
November 17
is a National Day of Action
On
Thursday, November 17, unions, religious leaders, community members and many
allied organizations are coming together to stand and fight for jobs, for
investment in our country and for policies that benefit us all rather than just
the wealthiest CEOs. To find an event near you, check the following link. New
events are being added regularly. If you are able to attend an event, make sure
and
share your photos afterwards!
Reminder: Register now for the 2012
Regional Rapid Response Conferences.
Find more information at www.uswrr.org
October 14, 2011
Congress Passes Free Trade Agreements
Congress passed failed trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama
this week.
USW International President Leo Gerard summarized our union’s position,
saying, "Historically, these agreements have closed American manufacturing
facilities and cost American jobs. It is foolish to think that this latest round
will do something different."
While the outcome is disappointing, our continuing efforts helped create more
intense debate and more votes in opposition. We are grateful to each and every
Steelworker who acted in opposition. Through your letters, calls, trips to D.C.
for lobby days in February and last week, as well as many more targeted efforts,
you let lawmakers know that the United Steelworkers will never back down when it
comes to a fight to protect our jobs!
Please take a minute to THANK those who voted RIGHT. Also, express your
disappointment to those voting WRONG. The toll-free number for the Capitol
switchboard is 866-311-1889.
Votes in the U.S. House of Representatives
Korea Free Trade Agreement (278 to 151)
All Democrats voted right (against the agreement) except for:
Ackerman, Becerra, Berman, Blumenauer, Boren, Carney, Castor (FL), Chandler,
Clyburn, Connolly (VA), Cooper, Costa, Crowley, Cuellar, Davis (CA), Davis (IL),
DeGette, Dicks, Eshoo, Gonzalez, Hanabusa, Himes, Hoyer, Inslee, Johnson (Eddie
Bernice), Kind, Larsen (WA), Larson (CT), Levin, Lowey, Maloney, Matheson,
Matsui, McCarthy (NY), McDermott, Meeks, Moran, Neal, Owens, Pelosi, Peterson,
Polis, Price (NC), Quigley, Rangel, Richmond, Ross (AR), Rothman (NJ), Sanchez
(Loretta), Schiff, Schrader, Schwartz, Scott (VA), Sewell, Smith (WA), Thompson
(CA), Van Hollen, Walz (MN) and Wasserman Schultz
All Republicans voted wrong (for the agreement) except for:
Americans want action on jobs!
A CNN/Opinion Research poll released this week found that 65 percent of
Americans would rather President Obama and Congress focus on job creation than
deficit reduction. Meanwhile, the Census Bureau just released a new report
covering key indicators of how our nation faired in 2010. The data is mostly
grim – and in all likelihood has not improved for 2011. All indicators
reinforce the fact that good jobs are desperately needed now!
The number of
Americans in poverty in 2010 jumped to a record-breaking 46.2 million,
including 16.4 million kids. That number is equivalent to the population of
a whopping 24 states plus the District of Colombia.*
Median household
income declined by $1,154 from 2009 to 2010.
Employment-based
health coverage dropped from 56.1 percent in 2009 to 55.3 percent in 2010.
Key parts of the Affordable Care Act that will help address some of these
issues do not begin until 2014.
Safety-net programs helped prevent further
devastation.
An additional 3.2
million Americans were kept from poverty by unemployment insurance benefits.
If Social Security
payments were excluded from income, the number of Americans over 65 living
in poverty would be 14 million higher.
Public health
programs like the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid
helped fill some of the gap for those losing insurance from employers.
For a bit of good news. . .
More young adults
had health insurance coverage in 2010 thanks to the Affordable Care Act that
allows young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance until age 25. Among
18-to-24 year olds, the rate rose from 70.7 percent having insurance in 2009
to 72.8 percent in 2010.
Watch for more information on strategies for
job creation coming soon,
including information on the President’s American Jobs Act. Thank you to all
who have taken action to save jobs by opposing the free trade agreements.
Please keep up the pressure!
* Equal to
the combined population of AK, AR, CT, DE, DC, HI, ID, IA, KS, ME, MI, MT, NE,
NV, NH, NM, ND, OK, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WV and WY based off the Census Bureau’s
Annual Population Estimate, 2009. The poverty line is currently set at $22,113
for a family of four.
Trade Action – Round II
Last week’s national call-in days were extremely helpful in raising
opposition to the three pending free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and
Panama. Thank you to everyone who called your U.S. Representative – especially
those of you who shared feedback from the calls.
Lawmakers ultimately pushed off the committee action that was scheduled for
last week. However, the agreements continue to be a top priority in Washington.
It is time to turn up the heat a little higher. We want Representatives to get a
sense of just how many of their constituents are concerned about the negative
impact of these agreements.
We are requesting that your local write a letter to your Representative(s)
and get as many members as possible to sign on. This is similar to a petition,
but much more personal. The goal is to show lawmakers that we are constituents
with broad reach throughout their congressional districts and we want them to
oppose the agreements.
We need
participation from every local!
Action Instructions
1 - Write a letter from the leadership and members of your local
to your U.S. Representative(s). Please note our union’s concern and opposition
to these agreements in your letter (see sample on the next page).
2 - Get as many members as possible to sign the letter to
reinforce the widespread opposition from constituents.
3 - Mail the letter to your Representative(s). You may also want
to fax your letter to ensure it draws attention. Fax numbers are available on
most Representatives’ websites or by calling their offices.
Find website links and phone numbers here: www.house.gov/representatives
Mailing Address: Representative
[first, last]
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
4 - Mail, fax or email a copy to your Rapid Response Coordinator
(or, for Pennsylvania, the appropriate Congressional District Coordinator).
Knowing what is happening across the country is extremely important. It allows
us to better coordinate our legislative efforts and make a greater overall
impact.
For extra pressure: Hand-deliver the letter and signatures
to the local office of your U.S. Representative.
USW Rapid Response
(412) 562-2291
http://www.uswrr.org
Sample Letter
The Honorable
[first, last]
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Representative,
The
[number]
members of United Steelworkers Local [number] stand in
firm opposition to the three pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Korea
and Panama. These agreements promise no jobs, but rather will put more jobs at
risk.
Along with our families and friends, we live in communities
throughout your congressional district. We work at
[name of facility/facilities]
in [city, state]
and understand the need for family-supporting jobs. Based
on the results of free trade agreements to date as well as expanded trade with
countries like China, we have no reason to believe that these deals will do
anything more than threaten even more jobs and negatively impact our
communities.
The results of "free trade" deals have failed us repeatedly. In
the last decade, we’ve watched six million manufacturing jobs and 55,000 plants
disappear. Companies can easily set up operations overseas and export back to
the U.S. market. In the 2000s, large companies cut their U.S. workforces by 2.9
million while increasing overseas employment by 2.4 million. Given that far too
many Americans are still struggling in an economy that has left millions
unemployed or underemployed, all our efforts should be on job creation – not job
destroying – efforts.
We urge you to oppose these agreements and look forward to your
response.
Sincerely,
[Have your leadership and membership sign on!]
Please note:
Make sure to include a return address where the
Representative can write your local back.
Please personalize your letter as much as possible!
Want more ideas
for your letter? Check out the United Steelworkers’ recent letter to the U.S.
House of Representatives at http://bit.ly/jDIWKy
If you have
members who live in multiple congressional districts, we encourage you to reach
out to all of the area Representatives. Not sure who the Representatives are
from your area? Visit www.house.gov
If you have questions or need assistance, call your Rapid
Response Coordinator or dial the Action Hotline anytime at 1-866-297-3817.
ARE YOU A TEXTER?
If so... Now you can
have
Rapid Response messages texted
to you!
Text:
uswrapid
To: 69866
February 20, 2001
Take a Minute to Act in Support of
Bargaining Rights!
This morning's Wall
Street Journal is running a poll asking asking if state employees should
have bargaining rights. This comes as a number of bills designed to destroy
those rights have gained much attention this week in Wisconsin, Ohio and
elsewhere.
Once
you take the poll, make sure to spread this to your lists far and wide.
January 18, 2011
Repeal, Really?
The new leadership in the U.S. House is
holding a vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act – our hard-won healthcare
reform law – in its entirety. While this current House vote will largely be
symbolic, there are future plans to go after the law again and again to gut its
effectiveness despite the critical benefits it is already providing.
That is
why we must know the facts on what repeal would really mean – and share them as
widely as possible.
Those who want to repeal the Affordable
Care Act want to:
•
Allow insurers to deny health care to sick babies and
children because of “pre-existing conditions.”
Thanks to the Affordable Care
Act, insurers may no longer refuse to
cover children with preexisting conditions. In 2014, this provision is extended
to everyone, regardless of
age.
•
Allow insurers to kick people off their insurance when
they get sick. Previously, many insurers
had revoked coverage when policy holders
developed costly or chronic illnesses,
but the Affordable Care Act prohibits insurers from dropping policy holders when
they get sick.
•
Block dependents age 26 or younger from being covered by
their parent’s health insurance. Because
of the Affordable Care Act,
young adults may be covered by their parent’s
insurance until age 26 if the young adult’s employer does not offer insurance
(in 2014, young
adults may be covered by their parent’s
plans even if insurance is offered by their employers). The young adult does not
have to be a
full-time student, a dependent on a parent’s
tax return, single or reside in the parent’s home to qualify.
•
Limit the amount insurers will pay for annual and lifetime
medical care. Under the Affordable Care
Act, insurers may no longer set an
annual limit for the amount they will
pay for certain essential benefits such as emergency services, hospitalization
and maternity care. The
limits, called “annual maximums,” leave the
policy holder on the hook for costs after the maximum is exceeded. Similarly,
many plans
previously included a “lifetime maximum,”
after which the insurer would stop paying claims. This forced people with
chronic diseases to pay
the remaining costs out of pocket or to stop
receiving care.
•
Stop the closing of the Medicare “donut-hole,” causing our
seniors to have to pay hundreds or thousands for medicine.
The
Affordable Care Act helps Medicare
beneficiaries by providing full coverage for preventative screenings and
reducing the “donut-hole” for
prescriptions. In 2010, $250 checks
were sent to senior citizens who were in the donut hole to help offset the cost
of their prescription
drugs; in 2011, senior citizens who are in
the donut hole will receive a 50% discount on their brand name drugs, and every
year after seniors
will pay less for their prescription
drugs in the donut hole until it is closed completely in 2020.
•
Deny seniors free preventative care and wellness exams.
The Affordable Care Act provides Medicare
beneficiaries full coverage of
certain preventative services and a free
annual wellness exam to help keep seniors healthy.
For more information, please visit
www.usw.org/healthcare.
Please Make Your Opinion Known
on China's Unfair Tactics!
Click on the
following link to register your opinion in the Washington Post online
poll on China's currency manipulation. This practice gives China's
domestic manufacturers a big advantage while hurting ours. Let's drive up the
poll results and send a strong message that the White House should turn on the
pressure!