Resolution No. 14: Rapid Response, Steelworkers Vote, and Government Advocacy

WHEREAS, significant legislative and policy gains for workers are achieved through the collective power of union members actively engaging in advocacy, pressing for accountability from elected officials to protect and strengthen labor rights; and

WHEREAS, our union has a proud tradition of advancing fair labor practices, safe and healthy workplaces, secure retirements, and an economy that prioritizes workers and their families over corporate interests – a principle guiding our efforts since the union’s founding; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, legislative milestones that define middle-class security – such as the passage of laws that defined the 40-hour work week and overtime, established Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, and codified collective bargaining rights – must continuously be defended and expanded in response to the growing challenges posed by corporate-driven interests and the evolving dynamics of our workplaces; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, members of the USW were instrumental in the passage of worker-centered industrial policy – such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act.  Continued member engagement to defend these gains is essential, and it is also necessary to ensure that investments made by our nation’s new industrial policies support fair wages and worker rights; and

WHEREAS, in Canada, the growing threat of electing right-wing, pro-corporate government elected officials threatens pension security, collective bargaining protections, minimum wage standards, progressive taxation, funding for education and childcare, pay equity, and the integrity of public health care; and

WHEREAS, in Canada, the federal government lacks a robust industrial strategy to strengthen sectors like manufacturing, forestry, and mining and continues to underfund public services, all while corporations remain insufficiently taxed; and

WHEREAS, in Canada, the USW and our labor allies continue to champion the rights of working people through collective bargaining, legal action, legislative advocacy, and direct action in both the workplace and public sphere; and

WHEREAS, in Canada, as a means of advancing worker-centered policies at all levels of government, the USW was a founding member and continues to be a strong supporter of labor’s ally, the New Democratic Party in English Canada, and has been committed to electing social-democratic candidates across Canada; and

WHEREAS, the USW works to protect and expand worker-centered legislation and policy when members unite in action through programs such as Rapid Response in the United States and Steelworkers Vote in Canada; and

WHEREAS, the worker-centered legislative and policy wins cannot be achieved without Steelworker members’ participation; and

WHEREAS, union member engagement requires education, which leads to a vibrant collective voice that provides a critical counterbalance to the flood of corporate money and power opposing worker initiatives and rights; and

WHEREAS, when locals commit to building a culture of engagement and activism through legislative and policy work, they are also building the solidarity that is needed to negotiate good contracts and take on local challenges; and

WHEREAS, the need for USW members’ involvement is more critical than ever as we continue to face uncertain times.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:

1. We will honor our union’s history of collective action and stay rooted in our union’s core values.
2. We commit to protecting USW members’ livelihoods, securing good jobs, and advancing policies that promote opportunity and prosperity for all workers. We will oppose corporate initiatives that undermine job security and strive for a fair economy that benefits all workers, without discrimination.
3. USW will build upon nearly three decades of education and activism through Rapid Response in the United States and Steelworkers Vote in Canada by educating members on key issues, connecting our members in the workplace, and engaging in government decisions on policy and legislation.
4. In the United States, Rapid Response’s success increases when we build strong communication networks at locals utilizing one-on-one conversations to share information on our issues, act in a non-partisan, non-political way to advance our agenda amongst all elected officials, take on issues central to our union’s core values and encourage participation in elections to hold lawmakers accountable.
5. In Canada, we will work to defeat pro-corporate administrations while supporting labor-focused, social-democratic candidates, including the New Democratic Party.
6. USW will enhance our legislative and policy impact by partnering with other labor, social, community, and political allies and building a new generation of labor activists who can advance the labor movement’s goals.