Some 1,500 activists from across the United States and Canada on Monday converged on Pittsburgh for the largest health and safety gathering in North America.
Day One of the United Steelworkers and Communications Workers of America Health, Safety and Environment conference began with a speech by USW International President Leo W. Gerard, who reminded conference goers that the fight to be sure all workers come home whole and alive is what is at the heart of the Steelworkers’ unfair labor practice strike against the oil industry.
"Sisters and brothers we are taking on the richest, most powerful industry on Earth because of occupational health and safety,” Gerard said, citing a report that says there is a reportable explosion every eight days at a United States oil refinery.
“When you walk through that gate, your family needs to know you're not walking into a ticking time bomb,” Gerard said.
USW’s ULP strike began at nine facilities on Feb. 1, and now includes nearly 7,000 workers at 15 locations.
CWA International President Larry Cohen brought attendees to their feet when he told a story of a CWA member and his wife who have joined USW sisters and brothers on oil picket lines, clutching a photo of her father who died in a refinery explosion.
“We will stand with you until we make sure no more dads die in refineries,” Cohen said.
Both Gerard and Cohen also spoke about the need to stop politicians in Washington from pushing through so-called Fast Track legislation. Fast Track, otherwise known as Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), establishes a process by which free trade deals can be submitted to Congress for an expedited vote that allows no amendments and limited debate.
HSE activists made calls from the conference floor to members of Congress urging them not to pursue Fast Track.
The TPA or Fast Track would be used to act on the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) involving 11other nations that is currently being negotiated by the US Trade Representative. Gerard and Cohen are among the signers of a Mar. 2 letter sent to Congress by 60 unions within and outside of the AFL-CIO that expressed opposition to Fast Track authority, which is used to advance unfair trade deals such as the TPP.
The letter, which can be viewed by clicking here, demonstrates the unity between workers who have jobs that are directly impacted by bad trade deals, and those whose jobs are indirectly affected. For USW resources opposing Trade Promotion Authority, or Fast Track: Click Here.