United Steel Workers Hold Spring Maine Labor Council Conference & Convention, Becomes Tri-State Council

Below is a report from the USW Maine Labor Council:
 

The United Steelworkers Spring Maine Labor Council Conference and Convention took place April 23 -25 in Bangor.  There were around 50 attendees from the USW Locals in Maine along with District 4 Staff.  

An invitation was also sent out to USW Locals in New Hampshire and Vermont to see if they had interest in joining the long-time established Maine Labor Council.  The delegates in attendance were quite “fired up”and the energy inspired both NH and VT to join the council. It  is now officially the “USW Tri-State Council / ME-NH-VT”, a ground-breaking development for the USW. Thanks to USW Staff Reps Mike Higgins and John Perry for making this goal possible!

USW District 4 staff provided a “NextGen” training in Labor History, "right-to-work" anti-union legislation, and educating members on what their dues money pays for.

An “Active Shooter Awareness and early detection” training was provided by the Department of Homeland Security and received very positive feedback.  In recent years, there have been violent incidents  involving some USW members and their workplaces.  Just a few years ago, a USW member intentionally drove his vehicle through the wall of a house at a high rate of speed, killing both the homeowner and driver.  

The most recent incident was last year when  a USW member verbally made indirect gun threats involving a supervisor to a co-worker. While HR was having an investigational meeting with the member, security discovered that a bulletproof vest was visible in that member’s vehicle in the parking lot at the mill.  USW members learned in the training that awareness and detection are vital tools in potentially mitigating a severe threat.

Linda Deane (Western Maine Labor Council), Jack McKay (Solidarity Harvest, Food & Medicine, Eastern Maine Labor Council), Sarah Bigney McCabe and Adam Goode from the Maine AFL-CIO all provided very informative presentations around issues we are facing under the current administration at the White House. Former Senator Troy Jackson also made an appearance. A moment of silence was held for Worker’s Memorial Day.

A recognition plaque from the Council was awarded to John Shinn, former USW District 4 Director, former USW International Secretary Treasurer, and current Assistant to the USW International President, as he transitions to retirement in July.

Many members expressed their appreciation for the two and a half day event and are looking forward to the Fall Conference that is tentatively scheduled for the third week in October.  We expect our attendance numbers to continue growing as we continue to build strength and power in Solidarity!