April Update from SOAR President Bill Pienta

We Will Get Through This

I hope you, your family, and your friends are safe and taking the necessary precautions to avoid getting sick or passing the COVID19 virus to others, during these difficult times. Most of us have endured catastrophes like hurricanes, floods, snowstorms, and other viruses at some point in our lives. We managed to survive them and I am sure we can defeat our newest opponent.

The coronavirus is changing our lives whether we like it or not, and we must be prepared. It should be very clear, we must maintain multiple ways of communicating with our members. I have asked, without much success, that we develop a system where the Chapters can communicate with their members other than just at meetings. It is now clearer than ever that the SOAR Chapters capture their member’s email addresses and phone numbers and share that information with the SOAR office in Pittsburgh.

With the advancements in technology, it is important that SOAR keep up with the newer and faster forms of communication.  We should consider appointing a Chairperson of the Communications Committee for every chapter.  The task of collecting this information from your members could be delegated to this committee and shared amongst the chapter’s leadership and other committees, such as Rapid Response.  Many of our members are comfortable communicating by email to inform them about Rapid Response action alerts, meeting notices or other alerts for action, like rallies or assistance on picket lines.  This would be a cheaper way to communicate and can be sent on a more timely basis. 

The day will come when we will not be asked to stay at home or gather in groups. When those days come, it will be more necessary than ever before that we possess the ability to get the word out to our members quickly, and sending a mailing alone, will just not work.

These are difficult times, but knowing what many of our members have gone through in the past, I have no doubt that we will get through this. We hope you, your family and friends stay safe and healthy, so once this is all over we can hit the ground running and continue doing what SOAR does best: mobilizing, demonstrating and being involved in our Union and our communities. Hope to see you out and about real soon.

Press Inquiries

Media Contacts

Communications Director:
Jess Kamm at 412-562-2446

USW@WORK (USW magazine)
Editor R.J. Hufnagel

For industry specific inquiries,
Call USW Communications at 412-562-2442

Mailing Address

United Steelworkers
Communications Department
60 Blvd. of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15222