June Update from SOAR Director Julie Stein

Your Union, Your Voice 

In our last SOAR Chapter Connection newsletter, we announced the relaunch of the USW’s Your Union, Your Voice campaign. 

With town halls being held through late June and survey responses still being submitted by USW members and retirees, I cannot yet comment on what issues Steelworkers are saying are most significant to them right now. 

However, what I can say is that your contributions to this important conversation within our union are more important now than ever. 

People all around the globe are trying to adjust to life post-COVID.  For many workers, this adjustment includes the fight for family-sustaining wages, improvements to workplace safety and access to health care.

We’ve also seen a drastic increase in the number of workers who are demanding the right to negotiate with their employer over the aforementioned and much, much more. 

In fact, according to the National Labor Relations Board, worker petitions for union representation are up 57% over the first half of 2022. 

It is safe to say that most Americans are aware of the new wave of union organizing at Starbucks.  But, did you know that an unprecedented 85% of union elections at Starbucks stores have been successful? 

In early May, Starbucks Workers United successfully organized their 50th store.  Hundreds of more stores are already scheduled to hold their election in the coming months.  Starbucks worker organizing has even spilled over into Canada with our union, the USW, recently filing an application with the Alberta Labor Relations Board (ALRB) for a union-certification vote on behalf of workers at five stores in Lethbridge, Alberta. 

Back in April, workers at Amazon celebrated a watershed victory when 8,300 workers won union representation at an Amazon fulfilment center in Staten Island, N.Y.   

Acknowledging these historic efforts, President Biden invited representatives from both organizing campaigns to join him in the White House for an afternoon of solidarity.

Beyond our workplaces, the labor movement is also gearing up for a potential fight to protect Social Security and Medicare from a proposal by Senator Rick Scott to “sunset” the programs and require Congressional reauthorization every five years. 

As we prepare for the 2022 midterm elections, it is vital that your voice be heard! Find a Your Union, Your Voice town hall near you, and submit your responses to our membership survey.  Both can be done by visiting www.uswvoices.org.

Your voice is an essential part of this effort!

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