Steelworker local union leaders from five New Jersey locals traveled to Washington, DC in mid-December to speak out on the Anti-Sweatshop Bill (HR 1992/S 367). The trip was designed to share the problems of sweatshops and urge those Representatives who had not yet cosponsored the legislation to do so. 

During the visit, the group secured commitments from three additional New Jersey Representatives, taking the number of cosponsors in the House over 150. 

“The Members of Congress had already received our letters and phone calls through the Rapid Response work,” stated Frank Palombaro, Rapid Reponse Coordinator from USW District 4. “This additional personal one-on-one was the last step in getting them to cosponsor the bill.  In more than one meeting, we heard how much the Members of Congress valued hearing from their constituents.”

Making the trip were Rich Bernard from Local 12238 in Birmingham, David Phillips and Bob Taft from Local 4-360 (Taft also serves as the President of the Weyerhauser Council), Ken Gomeringer of Local 4898, and Ken Goley of Local 4-149.

Photo: The New Jersey activists stand around Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R, NJ-2), who had just agreed to cosponsor the legislation.  The standing USW members are as follows: (L to R) David Phillips, Bob Taft, Ken Goley, Ken Gomeringer, Rich Bernard, and Staff Representative John Shinn.