The most important work we do as a union involves bargaining and enforcing good contracts to secure fair wages, dependable benefits and safe working conditions.
However, whether we like it or not, workplace health and safety, wage and overtime regulations, retirement security and even our right to organize and bargain collectively are all tied to local, state and federal laws and the people making them.
In August, the USW will officially launch our 2022 efforts to elect lawmakers who will support workers, no matter their party affiliation.
If you’re new to our union or even a veteran USW member who has just now gotten involved in our union’s political work, you might not be aware of the fact that much of our union’s efforts around elections are carried out collaboratively with dozens of other unions under the umbrella of the AFL-CIO.
This campaign, which will be more commonly referred to as Labor 2022, will be active in states across the country. However, most of our resources and “people power” will go to those legislative districts that have competitive campaigns and enough union voters to carry labor-friendly candidates to victory on Election Day, which is Tues., Nov. 8.
Labor 2022 will tap into the hard work of USW members, retirees, our families and community allies who will volunteer their time registering voters, talking to fellow members at their homes, attending rallies in support of pro-worker candidates and much, much more.
Additionally, the USW will enlist dozens of members who will take union leave so they can dedicate their time and efforts to recruiting and training union volunteers, and helping plan and execute the day-to-day strategies of our campaign.
In order to achieve the best possible outcome for our members and all working families, our union is working tirelessly to prepare for the midterm elections in November.
But, this work isn’t just happening right now. It dates back to the days of our union’s founding.
Did You Know
At the United Steelworkers’ first Constitutional Convention in 1942, delegates passed a resolution on Political Action (Resolution No. 14), which stated:
- “The United Steelworkers of America pledges its full efforts in all elections to secure election to Congress of representatives, regardless of political faith or allegiance, who have demonstrated that they may be relied upon to back the full objectives of labor,” and,
- “that the United Steelworkers of America urges that the CIO and its affiliates and the AFL and the Railroad Brotherhoods undertake joint action through the nation in conformity with this pledge.”
And so, Resolution 14 began our union’s longstanding commitment to political organizing.
For more stories like this, click here to sign up for our monthly Election Connection newsletter, which is delivered to subscribers’ inboxes the third week of every month.