The Health Care Workers Council (HCWC) was created to support local health care unions within the USW. The Council’s main objective is to bring together USW health care workers to discuss problems in the workplace and to cooperatively develop solutions to our ever-changing workplace.   Through our Local, District, National and International structure, the HCWC is building power for tomorrow. Upon request, the Council has specialized member training and education programs available in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.   Here is just some of what the HCWC can offer its members:   Education and Training Health Care Steward Training State and Federal Regulations Protecting our Practice Health and Safety Collective Bargaining Training Contract Campaign – Building Power for Health Care Media/Communication Training   Research and Wage Analysis With the support of the USW’s Research and Collective Bargaining departments, the HCWC staff is trained in wage analysis for the health care industry. HCWC staff can examine the market rates for any areas within the United States and Canada and produce supporting documentation to be used at the bargaining table.   Assistance for Collective Bargaining and Contract Campaigns Frequently, the HCWC assists with developing contract proposals that address staffing, overtime and other patient care concerns. The HCWC staff works with the Staff Representative and bargaining unit to develop proposals to address these concerns. This can be done by using negotiated language from other USW contracts or by developing new proposals. The HCWC staff can also assist with contract campaigns by providing flyers, strategies, actions and support for community-based activities.   Excellent Communication Through our web site you will have access to up-to-date information on issues that affect today’s health care workers. Additionally, we have a member-only section where you can access internal USW documents, proposals, flyers and forms to use at your facility. “Stat Facts,” the USW’s national newsletter is sent to our local union members in health care. The Stat Facts newsletter features activities on USW health care locals as well as articles specific to the health care field. The four most current editions of “Stat Facts” are also available on-line.   For more information or assistance from the Health Care Workers Council, contact your Staff Representative, District Director, or the Health Care Workers Council directly at:     Health Care Workers Council 5 Gateway Center, 10th Floor Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222   Phone: 412-562-2505 Fax:    412-562-2553   E-mail: HCWC@Steelworkers-usw.org