United Steelworkers: News Articles

USW President Pushes for Support Against China Cheating

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

United Steelworkers International President Leo W. Gerard spoke last night with Ed Schultz about China’s illegal trading practices and how the Steelworkers are going to push for Congressional support to help President Obama save 1.6 million American jobs.

They talked about how President Obama’s actions to save the American auto industry showed his support for working men and women and the need to keep jobs in this country. On the other hand, Mitt Romney was willing to allow the American auto industry to fail and let those jobs go to foreign countries.

“President Obama has established an enforcement committee and given Vice President Biden what he calls the China portfolio,” said Gerard. “So this is important and this is the first President that has stood up on all of the enforcement issues that we have brought to him.”

Gerard talked about how both countries have agreed to standard operating procedures of the World Trade Organization and when a country doesn’t play by the rules, they need to be called out.

“It is like saying we all agree that the speed limit should be 60, but if China drives 85, just ignore them,” said Gerard.

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USW Vice-President Redmond Joins National Endowment for Democracy Board

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Fred Redmond, USW International Vice President (Human Affairs), has been elected to the Board of Directors of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

The NED is a private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. With funding from the U.S. Congress, NED supports projects of non-governmental groups abroad who are working for democratic goals in more than 90 countries. NED is a major funder of the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center, a nonprofit organization that assists workers around the world who are struggling to build democratic and independent trade unions.

Redmond is a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council and serves on its International Affairs Committee. He has traveled to Ghana, Liberia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Colombia, and Mexico on missions to promote labor rights and democracy ... more

USW Commemorates Black History Month

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Today United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard and USW International Vice-President Fred Redmond released the following statement:

The United Steelworkers (USW) will commemorate Black History Month by honoring the sacrifices of all of the Black men and women who fought for dignity and respect in the workplace, on the bus and in all aspects of life.

In the early 20th century, Pullman Porters were an integral part of the Pullman Rail Car Company’s operations. But for decades, only Black men were hired as porters and subjected to low wages, merciless working conditions and daily humiliation because of race. They pressed on despite their circumstances and under the leadership of A. Philip Randolph organized a union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, which brought about much needed improvements ... more

USW Reaches Tentative Three-Year Agreement With Oil Industry

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The United Steelworkers (USW) is pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement with Shell on a new three-year agreement, pending ratification by the union’s membership.

The USW represents 30,000 workers at 168 production, refining, marketing, transportation, pipeline and petrochemical facilities nationwide, including 69 refineries representing approximately 64 percent of US refining capacity ... more

Action Alert for USW Members in the Northeast

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Sunoco and ConocoPhillips have arbitrarily decided to shut down three strategic oil refineries on the East Coast, all three in or near Philadelphia, Pa. All three of these refineries are USW workplaces, and if the companies follow through on their threat, 1,300 of our members will lose their jobs. Another 1,200 people, many of them members of other unions also will become unemployed. Tens of thousands more jobs will be lost. The whole community in that area will be devastated.

But this is not all. These three refineries make the majority of home heating oil, diesel fuel, and jet fuel in the region. This means consumers and homeowners just like us will be impacted all over the Northeast. If these refineries close, the home heating oil crisis next year will be much, much worse than in the recent past. Home heating oil prices could go to ridiculous highs. In some places it is possible people will not even be able to get heating oil. We do not think it is an exaggeration that people could freeze to death in their own homes if these companies get away with closing these three refineries.

USW is asking for public hearings on the refinery closures and the devastation the closures would bring.

		Click here to write a note to your two Senators and Members of Congress asking for public hearings on the refinery closures.

		Click here to send a message to your state legislators asking that they hold public hearings at the state level about the impact of these refinery closures.

		Click here to sign a petition telling Congress and your state legislators to protect Northeast citizens and keep these refineries open!

USW Calls for Action to Defend Domestic Auto Industry from Illegal Trade

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

China's Predatory, Protectionist Practice the Target

Please note the links to supportive material at end

Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), issued this statement today:

We're here today to issue a call to action to support and defend America's auto parts sector from China's predatory, protectionist and illegal trade practices. This is a fight for good, family-supportive jobs and the economic vitality of communities all across this country. It's time to stand up to China and say: enough is enough. You've taken enough of our jobs.

The Obama Administration's leadership in combining government assistance to General Motors (GM) and Chrysler and policies like 'Cash for Clunkers' helped the auto assembly sector weather the economic crisis. Government action, coupled with the ingenuity, dedication and hard efforts of the workers has helped stabilize and revitalize this important sector of our economy.

Unfortunately, the success of America's auto assemblers has not translated into the same level of success for the hundreds of thousands of workers directly employed making the parts and components for those companies. As the assembly side of the industry has started to return to prosperity, employment in the parts sector has not fared as well and imports of parts - too many of them unfairly traded -- has grown exponentially ... more

USW Lauds U.S. Victory in Challenge to China's Raw Materials Export Restraints

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The decision announced today by the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a huge victory for American workers. In clear and unequivocal language, the WTO stated that China’s decision to limit the export of key raw materials violated the commitments China made when it joined the WTO.

“This decision is particularly important to the Steelworkers since the products China is protecting are key industrial raw materials used in the steel, aluminum and chemical industries – the industries where our members work hard and play by the rules,” said United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard.

“China’s export restraints pose a clear and present danger. They limit supplies and raise prices to foreign producers on the world market that causes real harm. And, they act as a magnet to companies to relocate their production and sourcing to China to be able to access these key ingredients,” added Gerard ... more

The Vote is In: Vale World's Worst Corporation

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Brazilian multinational Vale today received the 2012 Public Eye People's Choice Award for world's worst company. The award was presented in Davos, Switzerland, where corporate chieftains and political leaders are meeting for the annual World Economic Forum.

Presenting the award, Nobel economics laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz called on multinational companies to go "beyond the minimum required by the law to protect the environment, to treat workers with decency and fairness, not to exploit all the advantages that asymmetries in bargaining might afford."

More than 88,000 people around the world voted in an online competition , organized by the Berne Declaration and Greenpeace Switzerland, to choose the worst case of contempt for the environment and human rights.

"This vote demonstrates the increasing global awareness of Vale's terrible record of destroying communities and the environment while systematically violating workers' rights," said United Steelworkers International President Leo Gerard. Gerard spoke from Sudbury, Ontario, where he dedicated a new building for Steelworkers Local 6500 which represents 3,000 Vale workers.

In December, the Ontario Labor Relations Board found that Vale committed unfair labor practices during a year-long strike at Sudbury. Last June 8, two workers were killed in Sudbury in an accident that is still under investigation.

Earlier, an Industrial Inquiry Commission appointed by the Newfoundland and Labrador government to investigate an 18-month strike at Voisey's Bay found that Vale's "behavior demonstrates disrespect for the role of a bargaining agent."

Vale was nominated for the Public Eye award by Justice on the Rails, a Brazilian coalition of environmental and community groups. "We owe a tremendous debt to our sisters and brothers in Brazil who continue to expose this company's destructive actions," Gerard said.

USW President Honored with Home Local Hall Naming

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

This from the Sudbury Star in Canada:

It was almost a first for union boss Leo Gerard.

Gerard was apparently blind-sided when it was announced Thursday that the executive and membership of United Steelworkers Local 6500 had named their new hall after the international president of their union.

That news came just before the ribbon was cut at the grand opening of the local's new headquarters at 66 Brady St.

"I guess it's almost a first. I'm almost speechless," said a teary-eyed Gerard when a cloth cover was removed from the plaque reading "Leo W. Gerard Hall," which hangs over the entrance to the main hall.

The day was a bittersweet one for Gerard, Local 6500 members and residents of the community. They were excited about the transformation of the former grocery store into a state-of-the-art hall and conference centre, but tears were also shed for the Steelworkers' Hall at 92 Frood Rd. that burned to the ground in September 2008.

Local 6500 president Rick Bertrand said that hall was a place where meetings, union schools, days of mourning, children's Christmas parties and other events were held for more than 40 years.

He recalled seeing many of the people who crammed into the atrium of the new hall Thursday at the fire scene on Frood Road three and a half years ago.

Bertrand said he remembered the pain in the eyes of members, retirees and residents who watched a large piece of Sudbury history go up in smoke.

He quoted Gerard who said at the time that next to the death of a family member, the burning of the old Steel Hall was the saddest day of his life.

"So today's a new chapter for us," said Bertrand. "Today, the Steelworkers will continue that tradition to support this community and to support the membership."

He reminded guests of how USW Local 6500 has supported the community over the years, raising millions of dollars for charitable causes.

Just recently, it reached the $500,000 mark in donations from its cent an hour contribution by members to Health Sciences North's Children's Treatment Centre.

The local raised $360,000 for United Way in 2011 and $30,000 for the Edgar Burton Food Drive, and collected thousands of cans of food for the Sudbury Food Bank.

It was "altogether fitting" to name the hall after Sudbury native Gerard, who rose through the ranks as a member of the union representing production and maintenance workers to become president of an international union, said Bertrand.

Gerard recalled "all the things that went on in that (old) building and all the tough decisions that were made, and all the positive decisions that were made to benefit our community.

"One of the things that always made me love my union even more was that our union, in particular Local 6500, never, ever saw itself as just a collective bargaining tool.

"We saw ourselves as an instrument of social and economic justice for our members and for our community. And we fought for the things that mattered for working people," said Gerard.

The union doesn't want 66 Brady to be known as just its home. "We want this hall to be seen as the community's home that they can come and use and be proud of the work that we do on behalf of working people," he said.

As proud as he was to have the hall named after him, it was also humbling, said Gerard.

"There's a part of me that says I don't deserve it."

Dozens of retirees attended the opening and Bertrand insisted they enter the main hall before anyone else.

"They're the ones who fought for everything we have today," he said.

There were oohs and aahs as people poured into the hall where a musical combo was playing on the main stage and a buffet of finger foods was laid out for guests.

Mayor Marianne Matichuk attended, hugging Bertrand as she entered the hall.

Vale vice-president of mining and milling, Kelly Strong, attended the opening as did spokeswoman Angie Robson.

Greater Sudbury Police Chief Frank Elsner and Deputy Chief Al Lekun were among the guests.

Gerard called the hall one of the most beautiful in Ontario, adding: "I'm a little prejudiced now that it's mine."

Gerard, USW national director Ken Neumann and district 6 director Wayne Fraser presented Bertrand with a plaque to be hung in the hall.

"Whoever thought we could build something better than what we had at 92 Frood Rd.," said Fraser.

He said he was proud of the local for turning the hall into such a showpiece, crediting member Roger Lafontaine for spear-heading the project.

He called Local 6500 the best USW local in North America.

Neumann expressed thanks to USW retirees for giving the present- day union a solid foundation.

"You're the ones who have fought the fight," he said.

cmulligan@thesudburystar.com

Twitter @Carol_Mulligan

CLICK HERE to find the original article from the Sudbury Star

Vale competes for 'Worst Company in World;' Vote now

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Vale is in the running for the "prize" of being named the "Worst Company in the World" by the Public Eye Awards. The prize will be awarded during the Annual World Economic Forum, that brings together corporate and government elites in Davos, Switzerland. You can vote here, to show your disgust for the way this powerful Brazilian-based company carries out its operations in 38 countries throughout the world. Behind its fabulously high profit levels and clever image control lies a sad story of union bashing, hiding workplace accidents, environmental devastation and running roughshod over local communities impacted by its mines and plants.

Vote here now to help Vale win the title of World's Worst Corporation of 2011! Voting ends January 26, 2012.

Why does Vale deserve the award for worst corporation in the world?

A summary of some of the social, environmental, labour impacts on the traditional peoples of various enterprises of Vale in Brazil and worldwide.

USW Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Leo W. Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers (USW) issued the following statement today on President Obama’s State of the Union Address:

“President Obama has listened to us as American workers and laid out a vision of the America we want and need, one that creates jobs and prosperity for us and not the 1% who have looted the economy.

“As a union representing workers in the manufacturing, energy and service sectors, we stand up and fight in support of the President’s ‘Blueprint for an America Built to Last.’ Strengthening American manufacturing by looking to build good jobs, green jobs and sustainable jobs with American energy, skills and values is a program for us ... more

Bain Capital Sucked the Value out of Companies

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Leslie Marshall talks with Dave Foster, Executive Director of the Blue/Green Alliance and past Director of the United Steelworkers (USW). They began with a discussion about Bain Capital, which was co-founded by Mitt Romney, and how it destroyed a steel company in Kansas City, MO, caused 750 people to lose their jobs, their severance pay and parts of their health care and pensions.

Foster recalls having to deal with Bain Capital at that time. "It was a terrible story of duplicity, of greed and of pillaging."

"These were folks that stuck the straw into the value of the company, slurped it out when they had the opportunity, knew what the results were going to be, then walked away of their obligations to employees and retirees, took their $10 million in profits and went off to their new homes ..."

National Day of Action for Refinery Safety

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Oil Workers engaged in a National Day of Action for Safe Refineries and Good Jobs on Saturday, January 21. Members in refinery communities around the country visited gas stations and distributed handbills to drivers on the importance of refinery safety in the ongoing round of contract negotiations.

Actions occurred in Texas, Louisiana, Utah, California, Washington, Pennsylvania, and other locations around the country.

Health and safety is a major issue in this round of National Oil Bargaining.

Since the last time we sat down to bargain with the oil industry three years ago, 18 oil workers have died on the job,” says Gary Beevers, the Steelworkers’ International Vice President for Oil Bargaining. “That’s unacceptable. This time around we expect to see some real, enforceable improvements on health and safety.”

USW Endorses U.S. Rep. Mark Critz

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The United Steelworkers (USW) today endorsed U.S. Rep. Mark Critz for re-election as the representative of southwestern Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District.

USW International President Leo W. Gerard said Critz has the endorsement of the international union, all of the USW local union presidents in the 12th Congressional District and SOAR, the union’s retiree organization.

The USW represents more than 32,000 active and retired workers in the union-dense 12th District, which encompasses all of Greene and portions of Allegheny, Armstrong, Cambria, Fayette, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Gerard said Critz, a former aide to the late Congressman Jack Murtha, knows the importance of manufacturing and industry and stands for industrial policies that will create good American jobs.

“He has always been there on the issues that matter to us,” Gerard said.

Critz, a Johnstown Democrat, said he was humbled by the endorsement and promised to continue to stand up for working men and women in Pennsylvania.

“I went to Congress to fight, to fight for this area … I’ve never been afraid to fight anyone when it comes to the values of working men and women, and our seniors,” he said.

“I’ve worked every day, every single day trying to create jobs back here in Western Pennsylvania and trying to uphold the values of the middle class, of working men and women, making sure that the schemes of Republicans in Congress don’t attack things like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and veterans’ benefits. It’s fight. We have to stand together.”

Steelworkers Rally Across America in Support of Ohio Cooper Tire Workers

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

On January 14, 2012, United Steelworker (USW) members across America held informational rallies in support of the locked out workers at USW Local 207L in Findlay, OH. Since November 28, 2011, Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. refused the union's offer to remain on the job while negotiations proceeded.

Members attracted attention of motorists and consumers carrying signs that read “300 Million Reasons for Cooper to Bargain Fairly” and “Cooper Tire’s Greed Flat Out Wrong,” in front of tire stores carrying the Cooper name.

USW members submitted 675 photos from all areas of the United States of this mega information rally.

Click on the photos below to see galleries of our members in action from each USW District

		Support from District 1
		Support from District 2
		Support from District 4
		Support from District 7
		Support from District 8
		Support from District 9
		Support from District 10
		Support from District 11
		Support from District 12
		Support from District 13

USW Supports President's Decision to Delay Keystone XL Pipeline

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Bowing to Partisan Politics Not the Right Way to Proceed, says Union

United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard expressed support for the Administration’s decision to challenge partisan politics and not bow to Republican pressure to prematurely approve TransCanada’s permit to develop a proposed 1,700-mile pipeline. The Keystone XL Pipeline would transport crude oil and bitumen from Alberta, Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast.

“The Administration made the right decision to ensure that a project of this scale is done in a way that is good for both jobs and the environment,” said Gerard. “The White House is facing forces in Congress that have decided to use this project as a litmus test for their commitment to jobs, at the same time as they have blocked the door to every one of the Administration’s job proposals, but the fact is more time is needed to ensure that this project will have the economic and environmental benefits claimed by the developer.”

Proponents of the pipeline estimate that the project will create 13,000 construction jobs, 7,000 manufacturing jobs and allow the U.S. to supply our oil needs with Canada, a long-standing ally instead of unstable nations ... more

USW Refinery Workers Hold National Day of Action for Safety

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Union members to talk to consumers at gas stations about safety issues in contract negotiations

Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) union who work at oil refineries around the country are planning a National Day of Action for Safe Refineries and Good Jobs on January 21. Members in refinery communities around the country plan to visit gas stations and distribute handbills to drivers on the importance of refinery safety in the ongoing round of contract negotiations.

The USW represents more than 30,000 workers in the oil sector. Most labor agreements are set to expire Feb. 1 at 12:01 a.m. Across the country, health and safety is a major issue on the bargaining table. In 2009 the Steelworkers proposed significant changes to health and safety language at the bargaining table, but the industry rebuffed the demands.

The Steelworkers say that health and safety is a primary issue in this round of negotiations. “Since the last time we sat down to bargain with the oil industry three years ago, 18 oil workers have died on the job,” says Gary Beevers, the Steelworkers’ International Vice President for Oil Bargaining. “That’s unacceptable. This time around we expect to see some real, enforceable improvements on health and safety.”

Actions are planned in Texas, Louisiana, Utah, California, Washington, Pennsylvania, and other locations around the country ... more

E-Mail Cooper Tire's CEO and tell him to end the lockout

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Our friends at American Rights at Work are supporting locked out USW members by asking supporters to e-mail Cooper Tire's CEO and demand the company end the lock out and bring back our experienced members. Here's what they wrote in a recent action alert to their supporters:

On November 28, 2011, Cooper Tire and Rubber locked out 1,050 workers in Findlay, Ohio. When Cooper Tire was losing money in 2008, these employees gave up $31 million in concessions to help their employer stay alive. Cooper has since rebounded, raking in $300 million in profits - and handing corporate executives millions in raises and bonuses. Workers simply want a fair deal that recognizes their sacrifice. Instead they have been left out in the cold. Fight back against corporate greed and help Cooper Tire workers get back to work.

E-Mail Cooper Tire CEO Roy Armes to urge him to end the lockout and negotiate fairly.

Click here to join American Rights at Work action to support the locked out Cooper Tire workers by sending a message to Cooper's CEO.

Oil Workers to Rally at Chevron Headquarters

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Union demands that oil industry address safety concerns in contract talks

Members and supporters of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 5 plan to rally at Chevron Corporation’s global headquarters in San Ramon, California at noon on Friday, January 20. USW Local 5 will be demanding that Chevron and the other oil companies address serious health and safety proposals at the bargaining table in the ongoing round of contract negotiations.

Union workers say the oil sector’s safety record is unacceptable. “Over the past three years we’ve seen 18 refinery workers die on the job. Process safety in this sector is out of control and we’re demanding that this industry start taking refinery safety and community safety more seriously,” said Jeff Clark, the Secretary-Treasurer of USW Local 5.

Workers say that refinery safety is also a community concern. BK White, Unit Chair at the Chevron refinery in Richmond, said: “When these companies operate our refineries unsafely, everybody’s at risk—refinery workers and our communities. We know that a serious explosion at one of these facilities could devastate an entire community ... more

USW Praises Occupy Protesters for Honoring King Legacy

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Occupy protesters across the country who have planned events for this year’s Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day honor his mission and the method he chose to pursue it, United Steelworkers (USW) officers said this week.

“By engaging in non-violent demonstration and by seeking economic justice, the Occupy protesters are walking in the footsteps of the Rev. King, and I think he would be proud of their efforts,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard.

USW Vice President for Human Affairs Fred Redmond added, “In the year before his assassination, Dr. King launched with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference the Poor People’s Campaign to seek decent jobs, health care and housing for all Americans. He did it because he came to believe people cannot truly be free until they are economically independent ... more

Steelworkers Support Indiana House Democrats on Opposing Right-to-Work

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Republicans try to Railroad Bill through Committee

United Steelworkers (USW) gathered with about 2,800 workers at the Indiana Statehouse to lend their support for state Democrats who are fighting right-to-work legislation. Democrats, who have not answered the call to bring the House into session, are angry at House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Rep. Douglas Gutwein, who refused to allow any testimony, debate or Democratic amendments.

It took only six angry minutes for the committee to approve, on a party line 8-5 vote, sending the contentious bill to the full House. When the session was called, Democrats failed to come to the floor.

“The governor is allowing the muscling of a failed plan that will result in fewer jobs at lower pay in unsafe workplaces: ‘right to work for less, ’” said USW District 7 Director Jim Robinson. ““The Republicans are insinuating that they are giving this bill a full public airing, but they are actually railroading the political process against the wishes of the majority of Hoosier middle-class workers.

USW's Gerard Talks Job Creation at White House "Insourcing" Forum

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Business, Labor Leaders Meet with Obama, Administration, Experts

United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard today participated in the “Insourcing American Jobs Forum” at the White House hosted by President Barack Obama. The forum included business, labor, administration and local government leaders along with outside experts.

The White House convened the forum to discuss how to build upon the increasing trend of companies choosing to “insource” jobs and make new investments in the United States rather than send jobs and spend money overseas ... more

Locked-out Ohio Workers from Cooper Tire Meeting with Serbian Union Leaders This Week

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that a delegation of locked-out workers from Local 207L at Cooper Tire and Rubber Co.’s (NYSE: CTB) Findlay, Ohio plant and an international union representative are meeting this week with leaders of Nezavisnost, the union that represents workers at the company’s recently purchased facility in Kruševac, Serbia.

USW International President Leo W. Gerard said that international solidarity is especially important in the case of disputes with multinational employers, where a direct link for sharing information can be helpful for workers on both sides of the Atlantic.

“The only answer to global corporate greed is global union solidarity,” he said. “Cooper Tire management needs to understand our commitment to justice here ... more

Republicans Behaving Like Young Thugs

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

On the the Leslie Marshall Show, Leslie talks with United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo W. Gerard about the recent Presidential recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Consumer Protection Board.

Marshall quoted Gerard’s latest blog posting, Recess Appointments: Backlash to Blackmail, “In America, when gangs of bullies torment school children, pushing them around and extorting their lunch money, parents know only one response effectively counters the abuse: confrontation. Running, whining, negotiating — none of that works. For the past year, since Republicans took the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, they’ve behaved like young thugs, extorting Democrats to get what they wanted.

She mentioned how true his words were with what is happening today. “What we are dealing with is a party that has made it clear that they are not just the party of ‘no’, they are a party of liars.”

Gerard said, “What they have done for the last three years is to stymie the recovery. They have made it clear, very, very clear that they are prepared to see millions of Americans suffer until they have a better shot, a better chance at defeating President Obama.”

Download Republicans Behaving Like Young Thugs »

USW Local 10-234 Fights Demolition of ConocoPhillips Trainer, Pa., Refinery

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

United Steelworkers Local 10-234 President Denis Stephano announced today that the plant manager at the ConocoPhillips refinery in Trainer, Pa., told union officials on Jan. 5 that if a serious buyer is not identified or the refinery is not sold by March 31, the facility will be demolished.

“This is the first time the company gave us this information,” Stephano said. “Our plant manager, Dave Erfert, also informed us that for the past 18 months he had been on a committee to determine the fate of the refinery and many options had been explored, including idling, closure and demolition.

“ConocoPhillips sends Mr. Erfert to attend the stakeholder meetings with union, community and elected officials. Why didn’t he notify the stakeholders months ago that demolition was one of the options the company was considering?” Stephano asked ... more