Our Issues
The USW on the National Scene
- Trade America’s working families’ jobs and future are being threatened by the predatory practices and unfair trade policies of countries like China and Indonesia. The United Steelworkers will not tolerate unfair trade practices that destroy American jobs. We will demand that our government investigate and enforce the rules of fair trade.
- Retirement The United Steelworkers upholds the right of all workers to be able to retire in dignity with a decent pension. We will work with all sectors of the international trade movement to stand up to the political parties and forces in defense of the livelihoods of retired workers. We support strengthening the Social Security system. We reject any effort to raise the retirement age, privatize the system, and otherwise undermine Social Security benefits.
- The Economy The continuing concentration of wealth in the hands of a few and the growing impoverishment of the many have dampened the hopes of an American Dream for a great number of working men and women. The United Steelworkers believe it is imperative that we maintain a strong middle class. Otherwise income inequality will ultimately fuel other kinds of social inequality.
- Health Care The United Steelworkers remain steadfast in the belief that health care is a right not a privilege. We believe that all workers should be entitled to affordable medical coverage. Our union will fight for three principles of health care: universal coverage, cost control and comprehensive coverage.
- Job Security People employed in non-union workplaces are – according to U.S. labor law, “at-will” employees, meaning that an employer may terminate an employee without reason. A primary benefit of a labor agreement in your workplace is to provide job security for rank and file workers. The United Steelworkers has qualified representatives who work hard to ensure our members get the best possible labor agreement.
- Work & Family Many companies treat workers as a commodity instead of identifying them as a valued resource. The United Steelworkers recognizes the needs of working families - good jobs with living wages; some time off every week with a couple of weeks set aside every year for vacations; affordable health care insurance and a decent pension plan. In favorable economic times, our members work hard to increase the size of the economic pie. Our goal is to ensure our members get their fair share.
- Public Policy The United Steelworkers has always adhered to a public policy that addresses the concrete economic and social issues of working families; a public policy that offers opportunity, training and benefits for our members; and a public policy which not only makes the lives of working men and women richer, but better.
- A Voice At Work The right to form a union is one of the most basic rights that workers are entitled to, but this freedom remains under constant attack from a great many employers and political enemies. Over 60 million workers have indicated they wish to join a union, but workers who try to exercise this right to organize face discouraging obstacles such as illegal harassment, intimidation, unjust penalties and firings. The United Steelworkers remains committed to protecting an employee’s right to organize and to work toward having the Employee Free Choice Act passed in Congress.
