USW members are meeting for their annual weeklong training in Deerwood, MN. The annual training educates and equips members to strengthen their locals at the bargaining table, worksite, and from within. Members have the opportunity to learn about labor history, communications, organizing and arbitration by enrolling in the four year track. Here’s a snapshot of members, classes and some of the activities.
Building the Toolkit
Management constantly makes changes in the workplace every day, and union members need to be able to be fluid with their toolkits to make sure their voice stays collectively strong. That’s why Nancy Lessin, Charley Richardson, and Erik Peterson are co-teaching a continuous bargaining class by drawing upon the classmates’ real life experiences. Members grapple with and work out solutions to problems that they can then utilize in the workplace. An employee of USW International’s Health, Safety, and Environment department, Nancy explains that often times, health and safety issues arise as management constantly changes the work process, especially in these tough economic times. As workers have to do more with less, there is more pressure as the push to produce thrusts forward.
Not to fear; unions have resources and tools above and beyond the traditional grievance structure that can make safer workplaces. They can use health and safety in bargaining, and learn tools to deal with policies that are increasingly popping up labeled as “behavioral safety” which management uses to blame the worker for injuries that occur on the job. The class teaches members how to confront such policies through organizing from within to constantly challenge the status quo.
“Every worker wants to be productive and safe, no matter where you work.” –Nancy Lessin
What Brought You Here
Bob Zamlen of USW Local 1938 wants to learn how to “polish the message I carry from the union” 
through building his communication skills at a newsletter training. Bob works at U.S. Steel MinnTac in Mt. Iron and is on the grievance committee. He is also active during the election cycle by volunteering to doorknock, making cold calls, and preparing mailings. His motto for union involvement is “if you’re gonna complain, be active.” Educating and activating union members strengthens the power of the collective voice.
USW members pose after newsletter class training with John Rebrovich, Sub-District 11 Director from Eveleth, MN.
Writing for Health Care Reform
Working families shouldn’t have to decide between buying a bag of groceries or taking a sick child to 
the doctor. That’s why John Haugen of USW Local 7090 in Virginia, MN is writing Senators Franken and Klobuchar for health care reform with a strong public option. John as seen his health insurance costs skyrocket over the years. Now he has a $2400 deductable for family coverage before the health insurance company picks up the tab. He is concerned that working families will not be able to afford this and will have to cut corners when making the decision to see the doctor.
Melanie Hooper knows that no one should be denied health insurance coverage. President of the LPN unit with USW Local 9349 in Hibbing, Hooper works at Fairview and knows that health care reform needs to happen now. She writes her personal letter to Senator Klobuchar. Her story includes being denied health insurance coverage while living at home to take care of her ailing father, yet only after she moved out and had children, became eligible. To Hooper, it doesn’t make sense to deny coverage; all the while the insurance companies are collecting billions of dollars in profits.
Over fifty personal letters were written at the USW training that will be delivered to Senator Franken and Senator Klobuchar. Have you written your letter yet?