Contact: Chelsey Engel, cengel@usw.org, 412-212-8173
The United Steelworkers (USW) union released the following statement in honor of Black History Month:
Black History Month is a time to remember and honor the contributions of Black people in America, but more importantly, it presents an opportunity to recommit to the on-the-ground fight for dignity and justice for all.
As the continuing battle over voting rights makes clear, there are legislators at all levels of our government who wish to suppress certain voices in pursuit of their own agendas.
Our democracy depends on equal access to the ballot box and a guarantee that all votes will be counted. It is our collective and individual responsibility as members of the labor movement to fight injustice at every turn, not just in pursuing voting rights protections at the federal level but holding our state and local leaders to account as well.
Generations of civil rights leaders fought for us to all have an equal say in the future of our nation. As we honor the legacy of the Black Americans who came before us, we recommit ourselves to continuing their work until we all can freely participate in our democracy.
The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.