Category Archives: Uncategorized
RESOLUTION REGARDING THE SHOOTING OF MICHAEL BROWN BY POLICE IN FERGUSON, MISSOURI
Reply
WHEREAS:
USW Local 3657 is committed to fighting to uphold civil rights. As our goals have always been to empower workers in their workplace, advance and promote equality in our union and communities, encourage political and legislative involvement, organize workers into unions and promote policies that support working families, we are saddened to have to address the death of Michael Brown, the young man gunned down by police in Ferguson, MO. This can only be described as an egregious attack on civil rights.
WHEREAS:
Our democracy is suffering because segregation by race and class has again resulted in tragedy and reactions based on fear, splitting a community and the country at large. The labor movement has confronted the issues of racism and classism in America on many occasions and must do so now with this tragedy. We must stand in solidarity and be a voice for justice.
WHEREAS:
The militarization of some law enforcement agencies is a manifestation of the fear authorities hold toward the very citizens they are sworn to protect. USW Local 3657 empathizes with those who take up the shield of a badge and its corresponding risks. However, USW Local 3657 cannot abide the demonization of our youth by those same authorities simply because they are of a different color, race, gender, ethnicity or background.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the members of the USW Local 3657 stand in solidarity with the family of Michael Brown and all those children who have been slain in an environment of fear and hostility;
That USW Local 3657 supports a full investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice;
That USW Local 3657 urges all media to commit to fair and balanced coverage of such incidents and avoid sensationalizing, regardless of jurisdiction;
That USW Local 3657 urges elected officials and policy makers at all levels to work together in their communities to create an environment of justice for all, not just for the privileged few;
That USW Local 3657 remains committed to fighting for justice and equality and will continue working to break down the systems of racial segregation;
That USW Local 3657 remains committed to holding workshops for our members and the wider community on racial and socioeconomic injustice; and
That USW Local 3657 urges our members to contact elected officials to protest the militarization of the police both in Southwestern Pennsylvania and across the country.
Respectfully submitted this 28th of August 2014 by the Civil Rights Committee of USW Local 3657. Adopted Unanimously.
Diversity and Inclusion are Critical to the Labor Movement’s Future
Membership Meeting, UNITE-HERE Rally, United Way Drive Continues!
As a quick reminder we have a meeting scheduled for 12:30 pm eastern time this Thursday, December 20th. The meeting will be held in the lobby conference room in the headquarters and, as always, live streamed at https://uswlocal3657.org/live-stream/
We realize that many 3657 members will be taking some much deserved vacation time later this week. If you’re not in the office please enjoy your time with your families! But if you are working on Thursday, please try to attend the meeting.
United Way Drive Continues
A few weeks ago we learned that this year’s United Way pledges from the USW staff are down more than 20% for the year. Need in our community, meanwhile, is through the roof. We realize that these can be tough economic times for some folks—some of us have kids in college, sick parents, and other tough financial situations. If you can’t afford to contribute financially, that’s fine. If you can afford it, please think about giving what you can. Also, you may want to think about pledging some of your time as well. You can find volunteer opportunities online at:http://www.unitedwaypittsburgh.org/index.php/give-help/volunteer
You can make a recurring pre-tax contribution to the United Way by pledging online athttps://doyouliveunited.org. If you choose to pledge online, you can select an amount to be deducted from your paycheck (it will be deducted pre-tax). Any amount, from $1/paycheck to $100/paycheck helps. Your user ID is USW + your first initial + your last name (for instance my ID is USWpyoung) and your default password is usw-united. The process will take about 5-10 mins.
Rivers Casino, Pay Your Fair Share!
Our sisters and brothers from UNITE-HERE Local 57 are holding an important demonstration tomorrow, December 19th at the Rivers Casino, calling on the Casino to agree to pay their fair share of taxes to support local schools. If you’re in Pittsburgh, please try to attend!
WHO: Community groups, Unions and other citizens concerned with excellent, adequately-funded public education
WHAT: Press Conference & Delivery of over 1,000 petition signatures to Rivers Casino
WHEN: 2:30 pm on Wednesday, December 19th
WHERE: Meet on the (public) River Walk in between the Carnegie Science Center & Rivers Casino (closer to the Science Center). There is no overhead cover, so please come weatherproofed.
WHY: Because Rivers Casino needs to pay its fair share & be the community partner it promised to be!
Help out people in our community… But don’t forget to ask why they’re poor.
A few weeks ago we learned that this year’s United Way pledges from the USW staff are down more than 20% for the year. Need in our community, meanwhile, is through the roof. I don’t have to give you statistics or numbers to let you know that people in our community are hurting, just look across the street from our building at about 6 o’clock every day. Five years ago we would see a dozen or so people in line as the local churches distributed free meals and essential supplies. Now we’re seeing crowds of 100 or more standing out in the cold every night just to get a warm meal. Continue reading
Protected: Meeting Agenda for Regular Monthly Meeting for November 29, 2012
General Election Day and Pay for Knowledge
Election Day is Around the Corner
General Election Day is fast approaching and there is a lot of important work to be done to elect candidates that will work for working people. For those of you here in Pittsburgh, I encourage you to think about participating in a phone bank or a block walk here in the building. Those of you in the field can plug into our Union’s electoral activities wherever you are.
Below, find a schedule of phonebanking activities here in Pittsburgh between now and the election. For more information contact USW Local 3657 Member Eric Russell aterussell@usw.org
| Wednesday, October 31st | 10:00am – 5:00pm | Email erussell@usw.org to schedule | 2nd Floor |
| 5:00 – 8:00pm | Hosted by AFLCIO in 1st Floor Lobby | 1st Floor and 2nd Floor | |
| Thursday, November 1st | 10:00am – 5:00pm | Email erussell@usw.orgto schedule | 2nd Floor |
| 5:00 – 8:00pm | Hosted by USW Officer, TBA | 2nd Floor | |
| Friday, November 2nd | 10:00am – 5:00pm | Email erussell@usw.orgto schedule | 2nd Floor |
| Saturday, November 3rd | 9:00am – 1:00pm | Canvassing, Hosted by AFLCIO in 1st Floor Lobby | 1st Floor |
| Sunday, November 4th | Off | ||
| Monday, November 5th | 10:00am – 5:00pm | Email erussell@usw.orgto schedule | 2nd Floor |
| 5:00 – 8:00pm | Hosted by USW Officer, TBA | 2nd Floor | |
| Tuesday, November 6th | 9:00am – ???? | Email erussell@usw.orgto schedule | 2nd Floor |
This Week! Local 3657 Phone Bank and Union Meeting!
On Tuesday, October 23, USW Local 3657 will be hosting a phone banking night for endorsed candidates for the November 6th General Election. The phone banks will run out of the 2nd floor call center and will begin at 5pm and run until approximately 8pm (if you are available to start earlier feel free to come down to the 2nd floor as early as 4pm!). You are all welcome to invite your families and friends to join us as well. The local will be providing food so please RSVP to Lori Bookwood lbookwood@usw.org if you can attend!
Show your solidarity with Local 3657 and wear your black Local 3657 t-shirt to the phone bank!
2012 Civil Rights Conference Report
Dear President Young:
I must first say thank you to the Executive Board and the membership for allowing me to represent our local at the 16th International Civil & Human Rights Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio entitled the Power of the Ballot.
The conference was outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed it, Fred Redmond and Amanda Green-Hawkins did a wonderful job. We were blessed to be honored and given presentations from several people including our wonderful President Leo Gerard, Dave McCall, Director, District 1, Douglas Sizemore, Mark Mallory, Mayor of Cincinnati, Stan Johnson, International Secretary-Treasurer, Ike Gittlen, Mike Scarver, Director, PAC, Hillary Chiz, Marsha Zakowski, Ann Flener, The Honorable Marcia Fudge, US Representative, 11th District just to name a few of the presenters. They all were great!
United Steelworkers Local 3657 