The Oilworker: January 2020

Click to read messages from the NOBP Chair and USW International President Tom Conway.

Make a call; House voting on PRO Act (H.R. 2474) this Thursday!

Dial our toll-free number to the U.S. House: 866-202-5409. You will be automatically routed to your Representative’s office. Tell the office who you are, where you are from, and ask your Representative to VOTE YES on the PRO Act (H.R. 2474).

Local 1-689 Ratifies Contract With Mid-America Conversion Services

The contract covers about 130 workers at the site’s Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride (DUF6) Conversion Project, which converts depleted uranium hexafluoride for reuse or disposal.

Congress Increases Funding for USW Nuclear Cleanup Sites

USW’s sites that conduct nuclear cleanup work for the Department of Energy all received greater funding from Congress for the 2020 fiscal year, which began Oct. 1 of last year. Click for a breakdown of funding.

Atomic Council Virtual Meeting Addresses Covid-19 Policy Issues

While the Covid-19 policies vary contractor to contractor and state to state, the biggest issue concerned workers getting paid under different protocol scenarios.

USW Health Care Workers Council convenes online to discuss coronavirus health and safety challenges, future of industry

Members of the USW Health Care Workers Council convened online last Thursday to discuss issues surrounding the coronavirus, which continues to be a challenge for health care workers.

Nov. 20, 2020: Local 7686 Straight Talk

For more on the latest bargaining update...

Information on how to participate in the Poor People’s Campaign Moral Monday Caravans

Caravans will be happening across the country to mourn the Americans who have died from COVID-19, demand a smooth and open transition of power and lift up the moral policies we need immediately and in the first days of the new administration.

The Need for Action from the Senate is Critical. Contact your Senator TODAY!

We need meaningful legislation to protect the health and safety of workers who continue to go to work every day to provide us with our essential services, and to provide stability for those whose jobs have not yet returned. Please take action today!

DowDuPont North American Labor Council Addresses Pandemic’s Impact on Workers, Global Economy

The Covid-19 pandemic prevented the DowDuPont North American Labor Council from meeting in person, but it did not stop 40 council members from participating in a half-day virtual session in mid-September.

Local 7600 Trains New Assistant Grievance Reps

The members of Local 7600 now have a group of about 40 new union leaders following an intensive two-day training session for assistant grievance representatives.

Solvay Workers Reject Company Offer

Members of Local 7-765-01 at Solvay’s Chicago Heights, Ill., plant voted overwhelmingly on Oct. 22, to reject the company’s “last and best” offer.

Election Protection Helps Voters Navigate Issues on Election Day

Members Raise Money to Buy PPE for Essential Workers

This summer, the District 4 Next Generation committee saw a growing need for personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in parts of the district that were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

USWTMC Trainer Receives National Safety and Health Award

USW Tony Mazzocchi Center trainer and safety activist Michael Horton received one of two nationwide 2020 Safety and Health Outreach Awards from the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association.

USW Salutes Cold War Patriots on National Day of Remembrance

The U.S. Senate passed Resolution 741 designating Oct. 30 as a day to remember the sacrifices hundreds of thousands of workers, including uranium miners, millers and haulers, made by building the nation’s nuclear weapons.

Atomic Council Meets Online

Members of the USW’s Atomic Energy Workers Council met online this month to present updates on the USW Tony Mazzocchi Center grant program, clean-up funding, legislation, the status of Covid-19 protocols, and contractor or DOE issues at each site.

OSHA Failing to Protect COVID-19 Whistleblowers

While the pandemic has shed light on the need for workers to have a voice in on-the-job health and safety issues, under the Trump administration, OSHA has failed to protect workers who blow the whistle on COVID-19 safety violations by their employers.

Your Safety, Your Workplace and Your Vote: A special USW Facebook Event

Join us this Friday, Oct. 23 at noon EST on our Facebook page as we discuss how the upcoming election impacts worker health and safety issues and the people in Washington who make life-saving decisions about our work.

Biden’s Plan for Empowering Workers

International President Tom Conway and progressive talk show host Leslie Marshall this week discussed Joe Biden’s plan for creating jobs through growing domestic manufacturing and the high stakes for workers in the 2020 presidential election.