11/3

Fall 2016

The SOAR Executive Boardunanimously endorsed Hillary Clintonfor President. SOAR InternationalPresident, Bill Pienta, said in his remarks;“that he believes Hillary Clinton is thebest choice to continue to move ourcountry in the right direction. She is aproven leader and her past experiencesboth as a Senator and Secretary of Statemake her uniquely qualified to bePresident of the United States.”As President, Hillary Clinton haspledged to expand and protect SocialSecurity, defend health care for seniorsby continuing the free annual wellnesschecks, lifesaving cancer screeningsand other preventative treatmentsthrough Medicare. She is committedto building our economy andcreating family-sustaining jobs forworkingAmericans.SOAR Director Jim Centnerstated, “Hillary Clinton is by far,the most experienced and preparedcandidate in this election, shedeserves our support, I am pleasedthat the SOAR Executive Boardhas unanimously endorsedSecretary Clinton for President.”

SOAR EXECUTIVE BOARD ENDORSESHILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT

Oldtimer 3

While watching my favorite baseballteam, I noticed that all of the Major LeagueBaseball teams build their organizationsbased on talent, dedication and the abilityto get the job done. This seems to be thecorrect model to use in building for successand this model should be applied to busi-ness and government as well.

Unfortunately, in recent years we havenot followed this policy in electing our

leaders in government. As a result less talented people,without dedication to public service, have been electedand as a result the job is not getting done and ournation suffers.

Washington, D.C. is not broken, it is just a city. The prob-lem is in the people we have sent there to represent us. Ihave gone toWashington many times and have seen thelobbyists parading the halls going to their meetings with the

Senators or Congressman, while people from the Represen-tative’s District must settle for meeting with an aide.

We caused this to happen and we can change it. We donot need to elect people who do not know how to workwith people. We do not need to elect people who havenever spent time in public service. I have never heardsomeone say that they were in favor of starting a playeron the mound who had never pitched before, or hiringsomeone who had no business background to run a majorcompany. No one would choose someone without a legalbackground to defend them in court. Yet, we consider turn-ing over the running of the most powerful country in theworld to people who have no experience in government.

We can and we must get big money out of politics andwe must continue to speak out and be involved when ourelected officials select the wishes of big contributors overthe wishes of the people. Stay informed, stay involvedand most of all, vote!

BILL PIENTASOAR President

F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T ’ S D E S K

Experience Matters

This election represents a real challenge for those of us who havereal ideological differences with the two mainstream candidates.Progressives, such as me, were delighted with Bernie Sanders can-didacy and the platform he was running on. For many of those onthe right, Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio seemed to be the ideal candi-date that represented old party ideology. Both groups were disap-pointed by the primary process and now find themselves searchingfor the candidate they should support this November.

This choice is made even more difficult by the nasty tone of thecampaign. The candidates seem to prefer frolicking in the mud

rather than campaigning on the issues that are important for you and me. This ismade even more difficult by the 24-hour news machine that can’t seem to getenough of the name calling and mudslinging to promote their telecasts.

So that really leaves us to our own devices, so to speak. We have to really dig tofind the positions these candidates are taking on issues that are important to us inour everyday lives. I looked at a number of issues that are important to me and thecandidates’ positions on them. Protecting and enhancing Social Security, preserv-ing and improving Medicare, affordable health care, fair trade policies, strengthen-ing our economy, keeping good family-sustaining jobs and creating new ones thatwill prepare us for the jobs of the future. My research took me beyond reading thecandidate’s website and white papers. I looked at their life’s work. Looked at wherethey stood on issues, not just today but throughout their entire career.After all that,I am convinced Hillary Clinton is the best candidate to move our nation forwardand on the continued path of prosperity. I believe she has the necessary character,experience, heart and temperament to be the next President of the United States.

JIM CENTNERSOAR Director

F R O M T H E D I R E C T O R ’ S D E S K

This Election

Page 2 USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016

USW@Work (ISSN 0883-3141) is publishedfour times a year by the United SteelworkersAFL-CIO-CLC, 60 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA15222. Subscriptions to non-members: $12 forone year; $20 for two years. Periodicals postagepaid at Pittsburgh, PA and additional mailingoffices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:USW@Work, USW Membership Dept., 60 Blvd. ofthe Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Published as an edition to USW@Workfor the United Steelworkers60 Blvd. of the AlliesPittsburgh, PA 15222Winner of ICLA’sjournalistic competitionawards for General Excellencein 1986, 1990 and 1993

Jim Centner, Director/EditorLee Etta Hairston, Copy EditorAddress editorial material to:

Editor, USW@Work, SOAR in ActionUnited Steelworkers60 Blvd. of the AlliesPittsburgh, PA 15222Send address changes only to:

USW Membership Department60 Blvd. of the AlliesPittsburgh, PA 15222When submitting address change, pleaseinclude address label from last issue.

USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016 Page 3

As you can see below, if you are concerned about retirementsecurity, the choice is clear. Hillary Clinton gets it! These three issuessay a lot about the candidates. In these uncertain times, when it’s gettingmore and more difficult for our seniors to make ends meet, HillaryClinton comes down on the side for retirees and working families!

Retiree Issue

Expand and Protect Social Security

Defend Health Care for Seniors

Lower Prescription Drug Costs

WHERE THEY STAND

Labour Day2016

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Once again SOAR members joinedwith their active USW brothers andsisters to celebrate Labour Day incities across Canada. In Ontario theslogan was “Fairness for all workers.”The USW along with the OntarioFederation of Labour and its otheraffiliates are participating in a cam-paign to review and renew the LabourRelations Act, the Employment Stan-dards Act and other legislation thataffects the quality of workers’ rights.

Amajor family-friendly rally willbe held October 1, 2016, at theOntario Legislature in support of theFairness Works campaign. SOARmembers and their families will bethere to support the next generation ofworkers and advocate for a future thatis fair for all workers.

Page 4 USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016

By Birgit Haggstrom,Vice-President Chapter 3-14

British Columbia Seniors AdvocateIsobel Mackenzie in May announcedthe launch of a province-wide surveyof 27,000 residents living in 303 provin-cially subsidized care facilities.

The Seniors Advocate is reaching out toB.C. seniors and their families to get first-handfeedback on the quality of their residential careand accommodations. The survey results will

give residents and their families a voice in the quality ofcare residents receive and will provide a road map forservice improvements. Survey data will by collected byvolunteers who will conduct in-person interviews.

I became a volunteer interviewer in August and sincethen I have met and interviewed many residents. Initially,

I was keen to assist in finding solutions to make life at acare facility richer and more fulfilling. However, the jobturned out to be more fulfilling for me. I have met funny,lively and keen residents of all ages. Spending time withour seniors can enrich all our lives. They are also a terrificsource of ideas and information that will improve theirdaily life in a care facility.

I sincerely hope this survey will benefit all seniors inBritish Columbia and across the country.

Note: The Office of the Seniors Advocate monitors andanalyzes seniors’ services and issues in British Columbiaand makes recommendations to government and serviceproviders to address systemic issues.Established in 2014, the OSA is the first of its kind inCanada.www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca

Doug Macpherson,National CoordinatorSOAR and GeorgeHenry, trustee fromChapter 6-10 at theCongress of UnionRetirees of Canada(CURC) booth inHamilton’s DundurnPark promoting SOAR.

Don Arkell, president ofSOAR chapter 6-16 inKingston and PeggyMcComb prepare forthe Labour Day paradein Kingston, Ontario.

Birgit Haggstrom

B.C. SENIORSADVOCATE LAUNCHES SURVEYTOREVIEWQUALITYOFCARE FACILITIES

NEWS FROM CANADA

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Make October 1 “Day of Older Persons”SOAR Chapter 3-19 asks Regina

Chapter 3-19 has asked the City of Regina to proclaimOctober 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. TheUnited Nations has marked this day to celebrate the con-tributions made by older persons to the economic andsocial wellbeing of nations. SOAR member John Szalapresented the request to Regina city council and one ofthe councillors promised to expedite it.

Last year SOAR joined with over 50 other seniors’organizations to hold more than 20 events across Canadato recognize this day. We hope to have many morethis year.

Chapter 3-19 Helps Out New USW Local

When Chapter 3-19 was informed that the newest unitof USW LU 5917 would be celebrating its first anniver-sary of joining the Steelworkers, our members were onlytoo happy to help out by donating $200 towards a picnic.This is a taxi driver unit that still does not have afirst contract.

Left to right: President LU 5917 Kael Dolesjsi, unitchair Syed Tyyab, bargaining committee members

Adnan Baywa and Ameer Mohmed receive a chequefrom Chapter 3-19 President Dennis Carrigan.

By Doug MacphersonNational Coordinator SOAR

This shout is echoed across Canada from thousandsof retirees and surviving spouses who see their hard-earned and pensions and post-retirement healthbenefits—achieved through generations of labourstruggles—under constant attack.

Pensions are being cut and benefits eliminated by judgesin charge of court proceedings under Canada’s bankruptcylaw known as the Companies’CreditorsArrangementAct(CCAA). We see this happen too often in too many commu-nities across Canada. I am reluctant to mention specificcommunities or local unions for fear of leaving any out, as itis happening in so many places, from coast to coast to coast.

It is more than enough and has to stop.

The most recent and perhaps the largest group affectedby this outdated law is the ongoing case of U.S. SteelCanada (USSC) and its 20,000 retirees and survivingspouses. The USW and its local unions, along with SOAR,petitioned the judge to reinstate the post-retirement healthbenefits he removed almost a year ago. He refused to dothis despite USSC operating profitably and sitting on $150million in cash reserves, and at the same time giving $1.5million in bonuses and pay increases to managers too. Thisis shameful—while retirees suffer because they cannotafford their medications.

The USW and local politicians like Scott Duvall(federal New Democratic Party Member of Parliament forHamilton Mountain) are calling for a public inquiry intothe entire restructuring and creditor protection process.

In my opinion the CCAAmust be fundamentallychanged so that workers and retirees are protected in theprocess rather than being pushed to the end of the line afterall other stakeholders with little or no protection.

We live in a new age with new challenges; we need newlaws to address them. Let’s call for a workers’ and retirees’protection law!

SOAR Chapter 3-19 Update from Regina

Bankruptcy Laws Must Protect Retirees’ Pensions and Benefits

USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016 Page 5

Rob Clark, president SOAR chapter 6-05 USSC listensintently with disgust and concern, with other retirees,as Bill Ferguson, president local 8782, relays thejudge’s decisions outside the Toronto court onOctober 7, 2015.

“Sick and tired and mad as hell!”– HowardElliot, Hamilton Spectator, July 20, 2016.

Page 6 USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016

NEWS FROM CANADA

Your Help Needed to Improvethe Canada Pension Plan

FIGHTING FOR PENSIONS

USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016 Page 7

By Doug May

Never has there been a time in our nation’s history thatthe subject of Women’s Suffrage, this year’s Granite City,Illinois SOAR Chapter 34-2 Seventh Annual Scholarshipessay contest topic, has been more relevant. For the firsttime in our nation’s history, we are witnessing a femalecandidate for President, 96 years after the 15thAmendment, women’s right to vote.

Megan Quick, granddaughter of Chapter 34-2 MarleneCarey and Michael Horton, son of USW Local 1899 andSOAR member Bob Horton were each winners of a $3,500Granite City SOAR Chapter Annual Scholarship.

Fittingly, two women who serve as elected MadisonCounty officials were part of the packed house inattendance that day. AmyMeyer, Recorder ofDeeds, and County ClerkDebbie Ming Mendoza,can certainly provide tes-tament for women’s roleduring this historic time inour U.S. history as well.

Katie Stuart, a motherof two and an educator,running as a candidateagainst Dwight Kay asIllinois Representative inthe 112th District, andJoe Beth Weber forSouthern Illinois’ 5thAppellate Court Judge, both guests at the event, are areflection of women’s tremendous contributions to ourcountry, long after women were finally allowed to vote.

USW Locals 1899, 50 and 68 Presidents Dan Simmons,Jason Chism and Dan Sykes introduced USW District 7Director Mike Millsap, who was honored by the SOARChapter for his hard work in bargaining during difficulttimes within the steel industry. Millsap’s efforts for activemembers and securing retiree health care benefits afterU.S. Steel—from the outset of negotiations—displayedcommitted determination to eliminate, were recognized.

The chapter also gratefully acknowledged the manyyears of support for the Scholarship program from MadisonCounty Illinois Regional Office of Education, Dr. RobertDaiber with the Friend of SOAR award. Dr. Daiberpresented the two students with their Scholarships, and tolda family story about his mother being married with

children, but still too young to vote, that linked back to thisyear’s theme of Women’s Right to Vote.

Chapter members George and Mary Mitchell werehonored for their volunteerism. Shirley Luffman was rec-ognized by the SOAR chapter for her good work, and com-mitted efforts to send care packages to our military troopsoverseas.

Nora Boland and Janice Donaldson from The GoodSamaritan House, one of many community organizationsthat the Chapter assists throughout the year, were also inattendance. They were pleased to announce that their fund-ing has been restored in this year’s state budget after Gov.Rauner’s budget proposal held them hostage and nearlycaused them to shutter their doors.

The Catholic Faith inAction, Sierra Club,Teamster Retirees and theGreater St. Louis LaborCouncil retirees, MissouriAlliance Retired Ameri-cans and representativesfrom the United Way, allorganizations the GraniteCity SOAR chapterworks closely with,enjoyed the stories ofcommon goals whilebreaking bread withlike-minded friends.

Illinois’ 113th DistrictRepresentative Jay Hoffman, who has always shown strongsupport for organized labor and recently introduced legisla-tion to extend unemployment benefits to those U.S. SteelGranite City Works steelworkers who, by no fault of theirown, have been on extended layoff and have exhaustedtheir benefits now due to foreign trade cheats.

Hoffman introduced C.J. Baricevic who is running forIllinois’ 12th Congressional District as one who will opposetrade deals that are great for Wall Street, but cost us jobs.Editor’s note: The scholarship has been named as the “JaneBecker” Scholarship in honor of Jane Becker’s activism as agifted labor and political organizer who mentored a generationof activists. Jane was the wife and working partner to the lateUnited Steelworkers President, George Becker, but she built areputation on her own as a tireless advocate for working peopleand was one of the pioneer organizers of SOAR.

Michael Edward Nortonand

Megan Quick

$3,500 Scholarship Winners

Granite City SOARChapter 34-2 held their 7thAnnual “Jane Becker” Scholarship/Award Banquet inAugust.

JANE BECKERScholarship Luncheon

Congress has cut the Social Security Administration’score operating budget by 10 percent since 2010, afteradjusting for inflation. Incredibly, this is happening at thesame time a record number of Americans retire each year.It’s not like the baby boom generation is a surprise.Our nation built extra schools when they were youngand housing as they reached adulthood; however,today’s Congress has chosen to ignore the fiscal realitiesof their retirement.Anew report by the Center on Budget and Policy Prioritiesdetails the dramatic impact Congress’ SSA budget cuts have onservice nationwide:

� SSA’s staff has shrunk six percent nationwide since 2010.Five states —Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and West Virginia —have lost more than 15 percent of their staff since 2010.

� Disability Determination Service (DDS) staff, who decide whetherapplicants’ disabilities are severe enough to qualify for DisabilityInsurance (DI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has shrunk14 percent nationwide since 2010.Seven states — Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, SouthDakota, Tennessee, and Texas — have lost over 20 percent of theirDDS staff.

� Staff shortages have contributed to a record-high disability hearingbacklog of over one million applicants.

� SSAhas been forced to close 64 field offices since 2010,at least one in nearly every state.

Added to this list, according to a recent audit of the SSA, are reducedhours of service at the remaining offices, the limited mailing of theannual earnings statement, increased wait times, crowded lobbies andlimited appointment availability.

Page 8 USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016

Two Big ReasonsPrescription DrugPrices Are SoMuchHigher in the U.S.A recent study published inthe Journal of theAmericanMedical Association found thatAmerican prescription priceswill continue to rise due topharmaceutical companies’ holdon the industry.

Americans paid, on average, $858per capita in 2013 for brand namedrugs, whereas the other 19 industrial-ized nations paid an average of $400.Compared to Great Britain, the U.S.pays over three times as much forthe same drugs.

This difference is partially due topharmaceutical companies’marketingmonopoly.Many companies haveexclusive and long-term patents with theFood andDrugAdministration (FDA)so they are able to set high prices. Com-petitors are forbidden from replicatingthese life-saving drugs and generic com-panies struggle with legal delays.

In addition, Medicare is unable tonegotiate pricing directly with drugcompanies. Despite covering over40 millionAmericans and 29 percentof the country’s drug expenditures,Medicare cannot lower drug prices.In 2003 when Medicare Part D waspassed, the Centers for Medicare andMedicaid Services was expresslyprohibited from setting prices—acommon practice in other countries.

“It is no secret that drug prices in theU.S. are out of control,” said RichardFiesta, Executive Director of theAlliance for RetiredAmericans, “Wemust empower Medicare and weakendrug companies’marketing control.Americans cannot afford to be at themercy of the pharmaceutical industry.”

Social Security AdministrationCUTS HURT AMERICANS

IN EVERY STATE

District 7 SOAR group gather-ing before an “Anti-GovernorRauner (Illinois)” rally andmarch September 12, 2016 indowntown Chicago. SOARjoined hundreds of others indenouncing Rauner’s anti-labor,anti-people agenda. SOAR’sScott Marshall who attended theevent said, “It was great to marchwith unions, women, youth,civil rights, immigrant rights,community and faith-basedorganizations, just the kind ofcoalition we need to sendTrump back to his Manhattanpenthouse in November.

USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016 Page 9

DISTRICT 7SOAR JOINS

PROTEST

SOAR Chapter 1-979 in Cleveland,Ohio, has always had strong supportfrom USW Local 979. Just recentlythe local’s leadership offered to traininterested chapter members incardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)the lifesaving technique useful in manyemergencies, including heart attack ornear drowning, in which someone’sbreathing or heartbeat has stopped.

The training took place at the local’shall on September 14, 2016. MattMahon, member of Local 979 and acertified instructor, taught the course.Pictured with the instructor are the chaptermembers who participated in the training:Standing, left to right: Clarence Everett,Matt Mahon, Larry Lawson and Bob Parker.Seated, left to right: Lillian Lawson andVirginia Robinson.

Chapter Members Learn CPR

Page 10 USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016

Pictured manning the SOAR table at the District 9 Conference in September are right toleft: Jim Centner, SOAR Director Greg England, District Coordinator; and Claude Karr,District Executive Board Member.

SOAR’s newest chapter receivedits charter in June of this year.

Chapter 9-PC-5 was created to rep-resent the retirees of Local 9-01924and Local 9-00925; that represent theproduction and maintenance workersat the former Bowater facility nowResolute Forest Products in RockHill, South Carolina. This is the fifthformer PACE Local Union in the dis-trict to establish a chapter. To demon-strate their support, Local 9-01924has committed to honor their retireeswith a 10-year membership to SOARas a retirement gift, and Local 9-00925is giving serious consideration ofdoing the same. District 9 SOARExecutive Board Member ClaudeKarr congratulated the locals forgetting this chapter off the ground andthanked them for their support of ourretiree organization.

SOAR InternationalConference Scheduled

April 2017 in LasVegas

The SOAR InternationalConference is scheduled forApril 7-8, 2017, at the MGMGrand Hotel and Casino in

Las Vegas, Nev. Chapters largeenough to send delegates will benotified by mail and must sched-ule their delegate elections in

November of this year.

SOAR Continues to Grow in District 9

Pictured left to right: Michael Godfrey, President Local 9-01924; Claude Karr, District 9Executive Board Member; Mark Cable, Chapter President and Cardero Gilliam, PresidentLocal 9-00925.

The United Steelworkers continue to show strong support ofour retiree organization.

This year SOAR had the opportunity to attend a number of the USW DistrictConferences all across our great union. When afforded the opportunity, SOARleaders attend these conferences to promote our organization and to share withlocal union leaders the value SOAR adds to our union.

SOAR leaders and activist play a major role in promoting the union’s social,economic, and political agenda. Our attendance at these meetings allows us toshowcase our work. We are also provided a chance to address the delegates toexplain the structure of our organization and how to get a chapter up and running.

A special thanks to the leadershipof the USW! Our continued involve-ment in the union’s conferences andactivities, play a critical role in oursurvival and growth.

SOAR Continues to Receive StrongSupport from USW

SOAR at District 4 Conference in AtlanticCity, N.J. August 22-25, 2016. Pictured leftto right seated: Al Polk, District BoardMember; Bill Pienta, SOAR InternationalPresident; Marty Maniscalco, SOARDistrict Coordinator and President ofChapter 4-UR1; and Jim Bickhart, formerSOAR Board Member.

USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016 Page 11

Al Polk, District SOAR Executive Board Member; Bill Pienta, International SOAR President;USW District 4 Director, John Shinn; Jim Bickhart, former District Executive BoardMember and Del Vitale, USW District 4 Assistant to the Director.

SOAR Board Member Steps Downand is Recognized for his Service

Jim Bickhart, President of SOAR Chapter 4-1 recently stepped down as theSOAR Executive Board Member in District 4. He was honored for his years ofservice to both active and retired members at the District Conference heldAugust 21-25, 2106 at Caesars’s Palace in Atlantic City, New Jersey. DistrictDirector John Shinn presented Jim with an LifetimeAchievement Award. Theplaque reads: In recognition of your decades of outstanding efforts on behalf ofthe United Steelworkers in your capacities as Local Union President,International Staff Representative and SOAR Executive Board Member. Theactive and retired members of District 4, Director John Shinn and all the Staff.Thank you for dedication and lifetime of service to the hardworking men andwomen of the United Steelworkers.

USW International PresidentLeoW. Gerard appointedretiredAssistant to the Directorof District 4 Al Polk to theSOAR Executive Board to fill thevacancy created when District 4Executive Board MemberJim Bickhart stepped down.

Al became a Steelworker when hewas hired by the Cleveland TwistDrill Company in Mansfield, Massa-chusetts and became a member ofLU-3638 and worked there for 23years. He served his local as a steward,grievance committee chairman, VicePresident and President.

Al was appointed to the staff in1985 by International President LynnWilliams. In 1998, then District 4Director Lou Thomas, appointed himSub-District Director for the NewEngland area. Al became theAssistantto the Director in 2006; serving withBill Pienta until he retired and servedas the Assistant to the current DirectorJohn Shinn until he retired in April of2015. He became active in SOARimmediately after his retirement andserved as a District Coordinator in theNew England area.

Al grew up in Norton, Massachu-setts where he still lives today withhis wife Betty. They have two sonsand six grandchildren. In his sparetime he enjoys boating, and tinkeringwith antique autos.

AL POLKAppointed toSOAR Board

How did you initially get involved in Rapid Response?

Rapid Response was part of a larger effort originally. Wewere developing a political action course when I worked inthe union’s Membership Development Department. Iremember the first meeting we held to discuss it. We werein former President George Becker’s office on a Saturday.

At that meeting, President Becker and Vice PresidentDick Davis shared their frustration with the difficulties theunion was having in getting our message to our members.They felt the union did a great job reaching out to the lead-ership of our locals, but somehow we fell short when itcame to communicating with our membership as a whole.They discussed a presentation made to the SteelworkersExecutive Board by members from Local 5724 on amethod they developed to reach out to their membership.After a great deal of discussion, it was decided that ourdepartment would develop a program that would utilizethe communication network used by Local 5724 to get ourlegislative issues to our membership. Thus began myinvolvement with Rapid Response.Why should retirees remain engaged inlegislative issues?

Our issues are the same whether we are working orretired. The fight to save jobs from unfair trade is as criticalto a retiree as it is to an active member. The jobs that aresaved keep the employer in business. As long as theemployer is still operating, and hopefully making a profit,they can continue to pay for the benefits our retirees foughtfor and expected to be there for them when they retired. Italso keeps people paying into Social Security and Medicareto ensure the solvency of these two critical programs forretirees. Rapid Response has also been involved in the fight

to save both of these vital programs that have kept millions ofretirees out of poverty. These are just two examples of whyour retirees should be actively engaged in Rapid Response.What are ways that they can engagein Rapid Response actions?

Retirees can play a very important role in RapidResponse. They can share the information they receivewith others and move forward with the necessary informa-tion to get their points across in a factual manner. They cancall and write their elected representatives knowing thatthey have the facts in front of them to influence orconvince a representative to support our position. They canattend town hall meetings, visit representatives’ offices andattend rallies to make sure our elected officials understandthe importance of our issues and they are everyone’s issues,not just the union’s.What is the most important aspect of the program,in your experience, that makes it successful?

I truly believe the information that is disseminated out ofthe union’s headquarters is critical to its success.Arming ouractive and retired members with the necessary information ina well-written, easy-to-understand format is very important.This provides the facts and background to allow them to talkcomfortably on the issues.

Without that background the rest of the program simplycannot work.

Page 12 USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016

RETIREES AND RAPID RESPONSE

In 1996, Jim (front, fourth from right) was part of the team thatdid the initial trainings for Rapid Response. Groups like the onepictured were the pioneers in getting the program started in localsacross the U.S.

Here are your SOARCoordinators in action!

District 9 SOAR BoardMember Claude Karrand SOAR CoordinatorGreg England talkabout retiree issuesduring a RapidResponse training classat the District 9Educational Conferencein Florida.

The importance of lifelong activism cannot be understated in the labor move-ment. Often the best activists remain engaged into their retirement— it is justin them to do so. Rapid Response caught up with the Director of SOAR,Jim Centner, to ask him about his roots in the program and how important itis for our union’s retirees to remain engaged.

There are less than twomonths to the presidentialelection and for the first time inmany years, the issuesofAmericanmanufacturing and global trade havebecome the centerpieces of candidates DonaldTrumpandHillary Clinton’s campaign stump speeches.

When Bill Clinton was president, the campaign’s insideslogan was, “It’s the economy, stupid.”

Well, it’s still is the economy. But during the past 20years it is a new, global economy where Americans buildless and less and our imports continue to skyrocket whileour exports lag far behind.

AmongAmerica’s many thriving industries, it is UnitedSteelworker members who are feeling the worst of the eco-nomic pain. Steel mills across the country have shut downpermanently while others have been idled for months at atime, only coming back online in hopes they will one dayreturn to full-capacity production.

These days, theAmerican steel industry strives to reach any-thing close to full capacity. But in matters of trade and a reel-ingAmerican steel industry crisis, it’s overcapacity that hasthreatened the livelihood of our USWbrothers and sisters.And, once again, the culprit is China.

At the G20 Summit held on September 4-5 of this year,the group included government leaders and central bankgovernors from 20 major economies including the Euro-pean Union. Collectively, the G20 economies account for85 percent of gross world product, 80 percent of worldtrade and two-thirds of the world’s population.

The G20 agreed that China’s steel overcapacity is aglobal problem and should be addressed as such.

But the United States realizes it has to do much more onits own beforeAmerica loses its own steel capacity produc-tion. In addition to saving good-paying, benefit-friendly jobs,the U.S. steel industry is essential to our national security.

Many olderAmericans remember the massive successduringWorldWar II when large factories and plants retooledtheir production to build tanks, ships and warplanes. Thecountry quickly came together and built the world’s mostimpressive war machine in a short period of time.

CouldAmerica do that today? It’s most likely we could,but if the steel industry continues to take further “unfair”trade hits from China, ramping up our national defensemachinery may pose major problems. A new report,released by Duke University’s Lukas Brunhttp://www.americanmanufacturing.org/page/-/uploads/resources/OvercapacityReport2016_R3.pdfoutlines how China is driving the global steel glut andhas led to more than 14,500 U.S. steelworker layoffs anddozens of plant closures in the past year.

The steel trade game is not being played on anythingclose to a level playing field.

China’s steel companies are government-owned andoperate without any regard to market forces. So China con-tinues to mass produce its steel—75 percent of the world’ssteel stock since 2000 has come from China. China’sexcess steel capacity is more than what U.S. steelmakersproduce in an entire year. China can produce more steelthan the world needs and sell it below market cost. A seriesof “unfair” trade agreements and China’s entrance into theWorld Trade Organization in 2001, opened world marketsto its unfair, manipulative steel trade practices.

The G20 Summit members havewrapped up their discussions but allAmericans can still TakeAction.Go to the AAM home pagewww.americanmanufacturing.organd click “Enough is Enough-TakeActionNow” to let President Obama and hissuccessor know you are still feeling thepain. If you lose your steel industry joband find work at one-third the pay with nobenefits, you will find yourself saying,“It’s the global economy, stupid” or “it’sChina, stupid.”Jeff Bonior is a staff writer for theAlliance for American Manufacturing.

USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016 Page 13

Photo

courtesyofBobJagen

dorf

It’s STILL the Economy

One of the many American steel millsforced to shut down while Chinese millscontinue to manufacture moresteel than is needed tomeet global demand.

Down totheWire:VOTEAs Election Day nearsour Constitutional rightto vote must alwaysbe encouraged.

This is especially true in the statesthat have passed laws creating voterobstacles, under the false pretense tosupposedly to stop voter fraud. Dataproves that fraud is virtually non-existentand the laws were passed to targetspecific groups, including seniors. Ofthe more than 20 states passing suchlaws, Texas was judged the worst andNorth Carolina is a close second.These states took advantage of thesplit 5 to 4 Supreme Court decision of2013 striking, in effect, the “coverageformula” in the Voting Rights Act of1965. Several of these state laws havebeen repealed, either in part or in total.The right to vote should not be ham-pered or denied by state or nationalpoliticians. We all know who thegovernors are that tried to obstructvoter turnout. We should rememberthis on Election Day.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth B.Ginsburg wrote a statement against thecourts narrow decision. She stated thatthe Court action was “punishment” forthe law having some “success” inachieving its objectives in states thatpassed laws targeted to reduce voterturnout among certain groups.

In every election, voter turnout isencouraged. Voter turnout in recentpresidential election years averagedjust barely 60 percent; midterm

elections about 40 percent. Comparethis to 1908 when the percentage was65.4 percent.

Senior legislative issues are at risk,Social Security, Medicare, tax reformand dozens of other important issues.It is embarrassing that we fall farbelow voter turnout compared toother countries such as Belgium(87.2 percent), Turkey (84.3 percent)and Sweden (82.6 percent). Whatdoes this say about the Americanvoter? Are we, as citizens, less con-cerned than our foreign counterparts?

It’s important to remember, thateach and every vote counts. PresidentKennedy’s margin of victory wasslim. It equaled the sum of one vote inevery precinct. Seniors must vote, it isour opportunity to demonstrate to theentire nation that we are a force forgood and to be reckoned with. VOTEon or before Election Day. Make arational/practical choice, an informeddecision. Vote for the candidates thatsupport the issues important to you.Our union and the AFL-CIO provideslists of recommended candidates.These recommendations are not madelightly. Candidate’s voting recordsand public statements are fully exam-ined before endorsements are given.EVERYVOTECOUNTS!

By Ken KovackSOAR Legislative DirectorWashington, D.C.

Page 14 USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016

WashingtonWrap

Chapters toElect Officers

While voters across the United Statesgo to the polls to pick their nationalleaders, SOAR members will be vot-ing in their own elections, selectingofficers for all our SOAR chapters.� According to Article 6 of the SOAR ChapterBy-laws, elective chapter officers are:President; Vice President; Secretary-Treasurer(which can be separated in large chapters);three Trustees; and if provided for, aFinancial Secretary. All positions servefour-year terms.� Nomination of officers is to be held at thechapter meeting held in October, with theelection to be held at the November meeting.� No member is allowed to hold more thanone office in a chapter, although chapterofficers may serve on the SOAR ExecutiveBoard or as a District Coordinator.� To hold a chapter office, members mustbe in good standing at the time of nomina-tion and election.� If a chapter does not regularly meet dur-ing October, it must hold both the nomina-tion and election of officers during theNovember meeting.� Any vacancies caused by ineligibility,death or resignation shall be filled byappointment by the remaining members ofthe chapter executive board until the nextelection, except if the vacancy is in theoffice of President, the Vice Presidentshall serve as President for the remainderof the term.

by Robert Roach, Jr.

There are sharp, clear contrasts betweenHillary Clinton and Donald Trump onretirees and senior issues.

Secretary Clinton has a 100 percent pro-retiree voting record from theAlliance for RetiredAmericans.She has pledged to protect and expand Social Security.Donald Trump once called Social Security a “Ponzi Scheme,”and the Republican Party platform calls for privatizing it.

Only Hillary Clinton will strengthen and expand SocialSecurity by lifting the Social Security payroll tax cap,protecting the program for future generations by makingmillionaires pay their fair share. She will expand SocialSecurity for those who are treated unfairly by the currentsystem—including women who are widows and those whotook significant time out of the paid workforce to take careof their children, aging parents, or ailing family members.

She will defend health care for seniors. She has and willoppose Republican efforts to privatize Medicare, raise theeligibility age or shift costs to seniors.

In addition, Secretary Clinton will defend and expand theAffordable Care Act (ACA), which provides free wellnesschecks, lifesaving cancer screenings and other preventive

treatments throughMedicare. It also closesthe doughnut hole inprescription drug coveragewhich costs seniors billions andcaps what insurers can chargeconsumers in out-of-pocket costs.Donald Trump, on the other hand, has vowed to repeal theACA, and with it these senior health care benefits.

Last but not least, Secretary Clinton is the candidatewho has a comprehensive plan to stop unfair practices bypharmaceutical corporations and rein in skyrocketingprescription drug prices.

As a NewYorker, I’ve had the opportunity to watch thesecandidates up close over many years. The pro-worker andpro-senior candidate is clear. Please keep these differencesin mind and vote for the candidate who has always putyour interests first.

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance forRetired Americans. He was previously the GeneralSecretary-Treasurer of the IAMAW.For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

The Differences Between Hillary Clintonand Donald Trump Go Beyond Style

USW@Work/SOAR Fall 2016 Page 15

Carl Ramich, President of Chapter 10-6 and longtime union and SOAR activistwas recognized by District 10 for his service to working and retired members ofour great union. Carl worked at the now shuttered Dana Corporation facility inReading, Pa. He was an active member of USWALocal 3733 until the plantclosed in 2000 and has remained active as a retiree ever since. In 2007 Carl rec-ognized that the retirees still needed a voice and spear headed the effort to formthe SOAR group. Carl is a chartered member of the chapter and has served asPresident since its creation.

Carl is an active member of the district’s Rapid Response team. He receivedthe LifetimeAchievement Award at the District Conference in Atlantic City,New Jersey on July 21, 2016. The plaque reads, “In recognition for your years ofoutstanding service and dedication to the labor movement in Pennsylvania. Yourcommitment has been critical to the Rapid Response Program and has earned itshighest honor. The difference between success and failure is often determined byone’s dedication. On behalf of the active and retired members of District 10 andour Rapid Response Program, we thank you for helping to educate new futureleaders and improving the quality of life for working men and women in Penn-sylvania.— Presented by Bobby “Mac” McAuliffe, USW District 10 Directorand George Piasecki, District 10 Rapid Response Coordinator.”

SOAR ACTIVIST HONORED Carl Ramich

USW Membership Department60 Blvd. of the AlliesPittsburgh, PA 15222

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