Western Maine Workers Launch Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter

PHOTO: Members of the new Western Maine SOAR chapter.

A group of union retirees in Western Maine have formed a United Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), the first chapter in Maine. Established in 1985, SOAR is an organization that brings together retired USW members, spouses, surviving spouses, and like-minded individuals aged 45 or older to become activists, advocates and volunteers in their communities. The Western Maine chapter includes retirees from the Rumford mill and former Jay mill.

Western Maine SOAR President Bruce Bryant (USW 900), a retired paper worker and former state senator, says the goal of the organization is to develop a network of retirees to advocate for retiree issues like protecting Social Security and retirement benefits.

“We need to be active and show up. Hopefully this group is going to grow and get the word out to more people,” he said. “United Steelworkers need to be more aggressive and protect retirees’ rights, better than we have been. We know what’s coming so hang on.”

He said he plans to engage with other USW retirees across Maine to form their own SOAR chapters. According to its website, SOARS efforts include:

• Participating in USW Rapid Response, advancing their union’s legislative goals through grassroots activism.
• Partnering with the USW Civil and Human Rights Department to protect voting rights for the elderly, minorities, people with disabilities, and more.
• Supporting their union’s efforts to secure successful bargaining agreements in various industries.
• Advocating for health and safety both on and off the job.
• Lobbying local and federal governments on issues like Social Security, Medicare, manufacturing policy, and holding foreign countries accountable for unfair trade and more.