Adopted:  July 25, 2013

WHEREAS, USW Local 3657 is committed to promoting and advancing the cause of social and economic justice, and equality for everyone, and;

WHEREAS, USW Local Union 3657 is committed to the principles of non-violence as advocated for and demonstrated through the work of civil rights and labor leader A. Philip Randolph, and;

WHEREAS, Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African American teenager was racially profiled while walking down the street and unjustifiably killed, and;

WHEREAS, in 1955 Mamie Bradley Till, with the assistance of USW activist Rayfield Mooty and other labor leaders throughout the country, organized rallies and demonstrations to bring attention to the horrific murder of  her son Emmett Till, demanding justice and igniting the spark to the American Civil Rights Movement, and;

WHEREAS, the protection of our most basic civil and human rights are sacred and when those rights are violated, the federal government must uphold them when state and local government will not;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we demand that Attorney General Eric Holder and the United States Justice Department conduct a thorough investigation into the violation of Trayvon Martin’s civil rights, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we send this resolution to Attorney General Eric Holder and to the congressional representatives in the jurisdiction of the members of our local union, to our senators, to our members, community allies and partners asking for their immediate concurrence and action.

Our local union is strong and active because we have energetic and committed members working on several different committees to do amazing work.  Here is a list of our local union’s committees, an overview of their role within the local, and details about how you can get plugged into the exciting work they’re doing.

Continue reading →

Summer is the season of bug bites, and bug repellents. Many Local 3657 members will be spending a lot of time outdoors with their families and might be surprised to learn that both the bugs and the repellants you use can pose risks for you and your children. The Environmental Working Group, the nation’s leading environmental health research and advocacy organization, recently released a report that can help you decide what repellant is right for you. Click here to read more.

Local 3657’s Health, Safety and Environment Committee was contacted about a serious safety situation at headquarters involving elevator #4 on Wednesday, June 12. (This is the first elevator on the right when the front doors are behind you.)  After investigating, we learned that in the past week, at least two employees have experienced the upsetting situation of being stuck in the elevator, which failed to stop on the chosen floor(s) and the doors failed to open.  While the elevator alarm seemed to function, apparently, the intercom failed, leaving the trapped employee uncertain about whether the call for help had been received.

The 12^th floor was notified of the problem and contacted the building manager advising him to take whatever actions are necessary to address the problem. A representative from Schindler was called to work on the elevator that morning. Patrick and a member of the HSE committee ensured that the elevator was taken out of service and then met with the Schindler repairman and two of the employees who had experienced elevator malfunctions so he could hear a first-hand account of their experiences to better equip him to make the necessary repairs.

PLEASE NOTIFY STEFFI DOMIKE (sdomike@usw.org ext. 2559)  IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY FUTURE PROBLEMS WITH AN  ELEVATOR OR OTHER HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE.

International Day of Action to Stop Gap Sweatshop Death Traps

Join the Day of Action! 
Gap Shadyside
5436 Walnut St
12 Noon–Friday, June 28

Student activists and unions have declared an International Day of Action to End Deathtraps on Saturday, June 28th. We will take action at Gap and Walmart stores – picketing, flyering, and conducting civil disobedience – to force the companies to take responsibility for the safety of their workers by signing onto a binding safety agreement with unions.

Continue reading →

On May 9, the Allegheny County Democratic Committee (ACDC) presented United Steelworker (USW) Steffi Domike the Catherine Baker Knoll Award at the Committee’s Jackson-Jefferson Dinner in Pittsburgh, PA. Domike, a technician in the Education and Membership Development department of the USW headquarters and a member of USW Local 3657, spends endless hours to assist workers in Pennsylvania.

The Catherine Baker Knoll Award is presented annually to women who display exceptional achievement and further the goals of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

“We are grateful for your multifaceted work in the arts, academia and advocacy,” said ACDC chair Nancy Patton Mills. “Our ongoing relationship with our brothers and sisters in labor is enhanced by your contributions.”

SCHOLARSHIP2013

Since April 11^th, workers at Rivers Casino have been standing strong, organizing, and demanding a fair process to form a union. Rivers Casino management has continued its intimidation campaign, flagrantly disrespecting the will of the Pittsburgh community. It’s time to show Rivers Casino we just won’t tolerate intimidation and harassment in this town!

RALLY FOR JUSTICE AT RIVERS CASINO

THURSDAY, MAY 16^TH
Rally Starts at 3:30 PM
Members of Local 3657 may participate in this rally during working hours with the permission of your supervisors.  Meet in the lobby at 3pm SHARP to walk over to the rally.