To kick off 2022, we wanted to take a moment to revisit our union’s process for endorsing candidates for state and federal offices.
Much like our efforts negotiating contracts, our union’s work around elections is grounded in our commitment to get the best possible outcome for Steelworkers and our families.
Prior to any endorsement, we do everything we can to determine which candidates’ beliefs align most with our core issues, including collective bargaining, health care, infrastructure, workplace health and safety, trade, and retirement security.
If a candidate is anti-union, they won’t get our support. It’s that simple.
In order to make this assessment, we look at their background and voting records, and we often meet with them.
For federal candidates, we also require their response to a lengthy questionnaire developed by the union.
In 2020:
- We made our federal questionnaire available online, making it easier for USW members and staff to review our criteria for evaluating candidates.
- We gathered more candidate responses than ever and shared them with USW members in mailings and flyers that we circulated at worksites and during labor-to-labor canvassing.
- Our union’s endorsement process was even highlighted by major media outlets including Politico.com, The Washington Post, and more.
For this year’s election, our updated questionnaire is once again available at www.uswvoices.org. While providing transparency for USW members, it also continues to give us a tool to hold candidates accountable once elected.
This year, like every year, our New Year’s Resolution is to do everything in our power to elect pro-union, pro-worker lawmakers in state and federal government.
The fact we make this resolution every year doesn’t make it any less important. After all, every election, no matter how big or how small, can have an impact on workers and our families.
We hope you’ll make this resolution as well, because we believe the future of our union depends upon it.