USW Associate Members Supporting Ohio Minimum Wage Hike
Advocates of a hike in the minimum wage, are looking to Ohio this fall as a barometer of how the issue might play nationally - and they think it will play well. "I think Ohio will be a very big testing ground for this proposition," said John Podesta, a former Clinton chief of staff now working for the liberal Center for American Progress that's behind ...... more

Rescue Ohio Jobs Campaign Kickoff Huge Success
Rescue Ohio Jobs Campaign Kickoff Huge SuccessHundreds rally to save jobs, Columbus City Council unanimously passes resolution Columbus, OH – On the heels of another unfair trade deal (CAFTA) passing the US Congress in late July, community leaders and hundreds of citizens joined the Rescue Ohio Jobs (ROJ) coalition’s campaign kickoff event led by the ...... more

Steelworkers, citizens issue call to action for good jobs, clean enivornment, safer world
Suburbs are key battleground for passing renewable energy legislation St. Paul, MN-As energy prices continue to soar around Minnesota and the country, on September 17, over 150 concerned citizens from around the Twin Cities metro area met with U.S. Congresswoman Betty McCollum to hear her vision for moving the Midwest towards energy independence and ...... more

USW Fighting Back to Protect Social Security
The Fight Back '05 campaign of the USW Associate Member Program collaborated with the groups - MoveOn.org, Americans United to Protect Social Security and other activists - in Ohio and some selected states to declare their strong opposition to President Bush's proposal to privatize the Social Security program. Click Here to view the Social ...... more

Labor and the Environment
Steelworkers Go Environmentalwith David Foster, Director District 11, United Steelworkers The following clip is a excerpt from:Building Bridges:Your Community and Labor Report - National EditionA Sustainable World is Possible: Labor and the Environment Real PlayerListen Download The Steelworkers are now the largest private sector industrial union in ...... more

Organizing Outside the Box
The labor movement has seen a decline in membership over the past few decades and because of this reality it has seen a decline in political and collective bargaining strength. The movement as a whole is looking to new models to increase its membership. The United Steelworkers and other labor organizations are developing new models for engaging people, ...... more

High Tech Off Shore
National Public Radio's "Marketplace" explores the trend of outsourcing America's hi-tech sector jobs. The AMP weighs in on the debate about the lastest example of the phenomenon disasterous effects by looking at a new model developed by a company called Sea Code... Click here to hear ...... more

Blue Green Alliance joins the Ohio Environmental Council in Earth Day Lobby Effort
Columbus – Blue Green Alliance members, representing both labor and environmental organizations, joined the Ohio Environmental Council and other groups today in visiting lawmakers at the Statehouse to talk about issues that impact the economy and environment of the state. “As a member organization in the Blue Green Alliance, we are pleased that other ...... more

Free and Fair Realities Hit Minnesotans on Trade
Two different views of trade policy give area citizens plenty to consider on CAFTA St. Paul, MN – Keeping the fight over free versus fair trade policy alive, the Steelworkers Associate Member Program teamed up with the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition to sponsor a debate between Art Rolnick, Senior Vice President and Director of Research for the Federal ...... more

Minnesota Blue-Green Alliance members ask legislators to mark Earth Day by passing bills that support transit and energy efficient buildings
St. Paul, MN -Members of the Minnesota Blue-Green Alliance and community supporters assembled at the capitol today to press state lawmakers to mark Earth Day by passing legislation promoting energy efficient high performance buildings and establishing a continuing funding stream for transit. ...... more

Steelworkers Associate Members and retirees pledge to protect Social Security
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch and State Rep. Tom Rukavina spoke before a lively audience of over 200 Steelworker retirees and associate members on April 15, 2005 in the northern part of the state. The crowd enthusiastically vowed to fight back against the Bush agenda that threatens working people across the country. The speakers called on the ...... more

Minnesota's Blue-Green Alliance Continues to Press Legislature on Energy Independence and CAFTA
St. Paul, MN – In February, organized labor (blue) and environmental organizations (green), led by the Steelworkers, met with Minnesota lawmakers to push a platform of next generation job creation, renewable energy usage, and the expansion of commuter rail capacity in the state. At the end of March, the legislature passed a bonding bill for state funding ...... more

Steelworker and Sierra Club Leaders to Hold Town Hall Forum in Washington
As part of their Northwest tour, Dave Foster, Director of District 11 of USW, and Sierra Club President Larry Fahn, will hold a town hall forum in Fife, Washington (between Seattle and Tacoma) to discuss the next big priority of the Bush administration – trade agreements. WHAT: Town Hall Forum WHEN: Tuesday, May 3rd, 7:30pm WHERE: Fife Community Center ...... more

MN Blue Green Alliance to Host Second Citizen Lobby Day
On Thursday, April 21st, the Minnesota Blue Green Alliance will be hosting its second Blue Green Citizens lobby day in conjunction with Earth Day. The first lobby day took place on February, 17th with over 20 associate members participating. For many it was their first time speaking face-to-face with lawmakers. The focus of the lobbying will be follow-up ...... more

Steelworker and Sierra Club Leaders to Tour Northwest
Leadership to tackle unfair trade, the exporting of jobs, and protecting our environment Dave Foster, Director of District 11 of USW, and Sierra Club President Larry Fahn, will tour Oregon and Washington beginning May 2, 2005. This unusual pairing will talk to members, the media, and members of Congress to fight the exporting of jobs and to protect ...... more

Associate Members Host Progressive Roundtable
More than fifty leaders and activists from Western Washington progressive organizations gathered on March 5 to discuss current efforts and to identify ways they can be a driving force for change in their community. Organized by the Steelworkers Tacoma/Pierce County Associate Member Chapter, the forum brought together peace groups, retired and working ...... more

Minnesota Chapter Launches Member Education Series
The Steelworkers Twin Cities associate member chapter met on March 7 for it's monthly membership meeting. Members heard reports from the Minnesota Blue Green Alliance Citizen Lobby Day held on February 17. Eleven of the members present had participated and for many people this was their first time lobbying an elected official. The education committee ...... more

Calling All Artists, Videographers and Other Associate Members!
We've got another exciting way for you to be part of the 32nd Constitutional Convention in Las Vegas, April 11-14, 2005. There is still an opportunity to share your thoughts about why you joined the Associate Member Program with all of the delegates at the convention, including our 3 AMP representatives, but you must act quickly. Here's how: Submit ...... more

AMP Teams Up with Democracy for America to Fight Back Against Corporate Influence in Elections
On Saturday, March 12th, volunteers from around Central Ohio will gather in Columbus, Ohio to take part in a massive petition drive to ensure that everyone has an equal voice in the political process. Last December the Ohio Legislature passed sweeping election law changes that seriously diminish the rights of working families, and dangerously expand ...... more

Associate Members Fight Back to Save American Jobs
“Export Tires, Not Jobs” Bridgestone/Firestone National Day of Action On February 16, 2005, traditional and associate steelworkers across the country held over 200 rallies at Nissan dealerships to protest the lack of progress in master contract negotiations that cover 6,000 USW members employed at eight Bridgestone/Firestone (BFS) plants. In an apparent ...... more

Coalition Lobbies for Good Jobs, Clean Environment, and Safer World
Citizens come to capitol to promote sustainable jobs and clean communities for Minnesota St. Paul, MN – (February 18, 2005) Political paths intersected as members of Minnesota’s unions and environmental advocates gathered at the State Capitol for a “Blue-Green Citizen Lobby Day”. Their mission: to call for public transportation improvements, high performance ...... more

Associate Member Addresses Hundreds of Steelworkers at Indiana Legislative Day
On February 1, over 300 USW members converged on the Indiana Statehouse to lobby on issues important to working families. Steelworkers Associate Member, family farm activist and former congressional candidate, Mel Fox, spoke at the event and rallied the workers to fight back against politicians who favor corporate special interests over workers’ rights. ...... more

Fight Back For A Responsible Trade Policy With China
Thank the US Representatives who are working to protect American jobs and the environment On February 9, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the US House of Representatives introduced legislation that would repeal Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China (PNTR). PNTR has led to record US trade deficits and the loss of millionsn jobs. “In industry ...... more

Tell Bridgestone/Firestone: Good Jobs are Worth Keeping!
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Twin Cities AMP Chapter Ratifies Vision Statement
The Twin Cities Steelworkers Associate Member chapter met on February 10, and heard an inspirational challenge from United Steelworkers (USW) District 11 Director David Foster. He called upon the membership to reach out into the community and organize working people and their allies to build relationships that enact positive changes in ...... more

Export Tires Not Jobs!
Bridgestone Firestone Day of Action Nearly 6,000 USW members work for the Bridgestone Firestone tire company in the United States. Unlike the other major tire companies, Bridgestone Firestone has been unwilling to sign a union contract that maintains the same high standards for workers. Instead, the company has threatened to shut down plants and move ...... more

Social Security-Why Gamble Away The Guarantees?
Get the facts and fight back to save Social Security! Working families and middle class know all too well the devastating impact of the president’s misguided policies. Since Bush took office, more children are without health insurance, it’s easier for corporations to pollute our air, water and land, and thousandsn jobs that have been exported ...... more

Ohio Blue Green Alliance Meeting A Success
State AFL-CIO endorses coalition The Ohio Blue Green Alliance met last week to discuss solutions to create jobs, protect the environment and end our dependence on foreign oil. Over twenty representatives from a variety of labor, family farm and environmental organizations convened in Columbus, Ohio. “We’ve lost 236,000 jobs in Ohio since 2001,” said ...... more

New Report: MN Can Create Jobs, Protect the Environment
Minnesota Labor and Environmental Coalition Calls for Smart Energy Policy St. Paul, MN - (October 11, 2004) The Minnesota Blue-Green Alliance today released a report demonstrating how Minnesota can create 37,000 new jobs and save consumers an average of $1,268 per year on energy bills by the year 2025 while protecting Minnesota's environment, reducing ...... more

Washington BGA meeting a success
Wenatchee, WA -- The Steelworkers, in partnership with the Sierra Club, held the first meeting of Washington State's Blue Green Alliance on August 10, 2004, in Wenatchee, Washington. The meeting was held in the center of Washington State and over 30 participants representing at least 23 different labor and environmental organizations discussed how unions ...... more

Launching Missouri Blue Green Alliance
August 4, 2004 Steelworkers Help Launch Missouri “Blue Green Alliance”Create good jobs, protect the environment and end dependence on foreign oil Kansas City, MO – The United Steelworkers’s Associate Member Program today helped launch the Missouri “Blue Green Alliance,” as a part of the rollout of labor and environmental support for the ...... more

Missouri Blue Green Alliance Praises Escape Hybrid
Ford Wins Praise for Gas-Electric SUVBy RANDOLPH HEASTER The Kansas City Star Posted on Thursday, August 5, 2004 Representatives of organized labor and environmental groups Wednesday commended Ford Motor Co. for introducing the Escape Hybrid, the auto industry's first gas-electric sport-utility vehicle. However, they urged Ford and the other domestic ...... more

Twin Cities Chapter Holds First Meeting
The first chapter meeting and potluck of the Twin Cities Chapter was held at the Powderhorn Park community center in Minneapolis on Monday, August 9. Fifty enthusiastic members attended the meeting and ate great homemade food. Josh Syrjamaki, national coordinator of the Associate Member Program, welcomed the new members to the union. Hennepin County ...... more

MN Blue Green Alliance Kick-Off
July 13, 2004 Steelworkers Help Launch Minnesota’s “Blue Green Alliance” Creating Good Jobs and Protecting the Environment Duluth, MN – Standing on the shores of Lake Superior at the foot of the historic Aerial Lift Bridge, the Steelworkers today helped launched the “Blue Green Alliance.” The Blue Green Alliance is a grassroots coalition of our state’s ...... more

Associate Member Testifies
Sen. John Hottinger’s (D-St. Peter) bill proposing that affordable basic health care become a constitutional right in Minnesota was sent to the Senate Rules and Administration Committee. Before passing the bill to rules, the Senate Health and Family Security Committee, chaired by Sen. Becky Lourey (D-Kerrick) heard testimony about the need for health ...... more

Bring Jobs Back!
Associate Member Program Calls upon State of Minnesota to Bring Jobs Back!February 2, 2004 The Honorable Tim PawlentyGovernorState of MinnesotaState Capitol, Room 130St. Paul, MN 55155 Dear Governor Pawlenty: I was shocked and outraged to learn from media reports over the weekend that the State of Minnesota's Human Services Department has reportedly ...... more