A USW Activist is someone who has a passion for improving the lives of working people.
What qualities does it take to be an Activist?
Time
Steelworker campaign planning and activities happen in non-work hours. Activists are willing to give some of their free time because they have a true desire to move our program forward and build toward a just society.
Commitment
Training and education are always a part of USW campaign efforts. When volunteering for a political campaign, having a commitment to see the campaign through to the end is essential if we are going to win.
Activist expectations
- Talk to USW members or pass out literature in your workplace
- Participate in phone banking
- Door to door canvass for political or community campaigns
- Attend a rally, town hall or lobby day
- Engage in electronic activism around any of these campaigns (social media/email)
- Sign a postcard or a petition to a legislator/employer/corporate CEO
- Make a phone call to your legislators or Congress
Some USW Activists will become Political Organizers that are trained to help candidates who share our vision of a just society through phone banking, canvassing neighborhoods, and talking with other members about candidates.
USW Political Organizer
A good Political Organizer is someone who would like to play a leadership role in supporting our Union’s efforts to help workers and their families.
What qualities does it take to be a Political Organizer?
Leadership
“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” – President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Organizing
“Successful organizing is based on the recognition that people get organized because they, too, have a vision.” – Paul Wellstone
USW Political Organizer Expectations
Recruit, engage, and energize activists around a variety of activities and actions.
Develop relationships with other organizations in your community through our campaign efforts.
Train others to participate in campaign activities.
If you would like to become more active in USW Political efforts, please contact Julie Stein at jstein@usw.org for more information.