National College Players Association - United Steelworkers

Photo by Steve DietzIn a vote for keeping the unionstrong in a time of adversity, Conventiondelegates overwhelminglyrejected proposed resolutions seekingto reduce membership dues.The delegates concurrently approved272 resolutions submitted bylocal unions that called for keeping theunion’s dues structure unchanged. Therewere five resolutions seeking a duesdecrease.International President Leo W.Gerard asked the nearly 3,000 delegatesfor a strong showing that would convincecorporate America of the USW’sresolve to remain a fighting union, andhe got it.“The reality is, brothers and sisters,we came here to stand up and fightback,” Gerard said. “We didn’t comehere to lean back and walk out with ourtails between our legs.”Delegates defend duesDelegates lined up at floor microphonesto defend the union’s dues structureand detail struggles where membershave resisted corporate attacks.Rodney Nelson, president of Local207 at a Cooper Tire plant in Findlay,Ohio, pointed to the USW’s successfultire trade case against China that led toincreased investment in his plant andnew jobs.“The International Executive Boardtook on China and won and created jobs16 USW@Work • Fall 2011back here in the United States,’ Nelsonsaid. “Why would we want to tie theirhands to their sides and limit the fightfor us? Keep the union dues the sameand keep fighting.”Mike Rodriguez, president of Local2102 in Pueblo, Colo., said his localin 2004 won a seven-year unfair laborpractice strike against Rocky MountainSteel, formerly CF&I Steel Corp.,and $68 million in back pay becauseof USW solidarity and the Strike andDefense Fund, which dispersed $60million during the struggle.Pennies per dayDistrict 1 Director David McCall,secretary of the Constitutional Committee,said the rejected proposals wouldhave saved members just pennies perday while depleting the Strike and DefenseFund and crippling other essentialunion activities.Secretary-Treasurer Stan Johnsonnoted that the fund spent $134 millionsince the last convention three yearsago, including $95 million on currentdisputes involving more than 6,000members.“We fight for every breath in thelabor movement,” Johnson told the delegates.“I don’t pay enough dues. Youdon’t pay enough dues. We can neverpay enough dues to fight the fight thatwe have to fight.”Actor and human rights activistDanny Glover and veteranbroadcaster Ed Schultz electrifiedthe convention hallwith their acceptance speeches for theUSW’s prestigious Wellstone award.The award is given annually by theUSW to honor the late U.S. Sen. PaulWellstone, a progressive Democratfrom Minnesota, and his commitment topublic service.Wellstone, his wife Sheila anddaughter Marcia, died in a plane crashon Oct. 25, 2002, while on their wayto the funeral of a USW member.Wellstone died just 11 days before hispotential re-election to a third term ina crucial race to maintain Democraticcontrol of the Senate.Glover is known for playing detectiveRoger Murtaugh in the LethalWeapon films. But it was his work as asocial activist that brought him to thestage to receive the award, particularlyhis role as chairman of the human rightsorganization TransAfrica.Redmond introduces GloverInternational Vice President FredRedmond introduced Glover as a friendof the USW, and Glover praised Redmondfor his leadership in linking theU.S. labor movement to workers aroundEd SchultzPhoto by Steve Dietz