The Jobs Crisis – By the Numbers
February 11, 2010
Rapid Response continues to focus on the state of U.S. jobs and the economy. This is the first in a short series of
Info Alerts on the topic.
The number of jobs being lost each month has been steadily declining over the past year, from a loss of nearly 600,000 in January 2009 – when President Bush left office – to losing
only 20,000 in January 2010. The unemployment rate also declined slightly in the last month. However, we have a very, very long way to go to get back on track.
Consider the following:
14.8 million Number of unemployed Americans. This is roughly the equivalent of the population of West Virginia, Maine, Delaware, New Hampshire, Vermont, Nebraska, Hawaii, Idaho, Rhode Island, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota and Alaska combined.
16.5% Current underemployment rate. This includes those who have given up looking for work and those working part-time because of a lack of full-time positions.
6.4 Number of job seekers per job opening.
40% The record-breaking percentage of our nation's unemployed who have been out of work for more than six months.
Over 10 million Number of jobs needed just to get back to the pre-recession unemployment rate.
28,030 Number of "mass layoffs" in 2009. Mass layoffs are when a single employer lays off 50 or more people at one time. This is the highest year on record since the statistic has been kept.
17.9 million Workers in goods producing employment in the U.S. at the end of 2009. The last time we saw a lower number of year-end goods producing jobs was in
1949 (16.2 million that year).
Make the Call for REAL REFORM Today!
November 2, 2009
Healthcare reform legislation is finally moving forward in Congress. Key decisions about the shape of the final bill are being made right now, and our legislators need to understand that reform must be meaningful and not add any burdens to the middle class in order to be successful.
Please weigh in with our legislators on three key issues for healthcare reform.
First, we need a strong public health insurance option. A public option inserts much-needed competition into the
healthcare market to drive down costs and provide consumers with an alternative to the private-run plans currently available.
Second, employers need to provide healthcare or pay into a system that will help ensure everyone is covered.
Third, we do not want our benefits to be taxed as part of
any reform plan. We're already paying too much for healthcare!
For more information on healthcare, please visit the Rapid Response website at www.uswrr.org.
USW Rapid Response (412) 562-2291 http://www.uswrr.org
Action Instructions:
1 - Dial Toll-Free, 866-203-4960.
2 - Ask for your Senators and Representative.
Note: Make three calls total, one to each Senator and one to your Representative. You can call all
three on the same day, or spread the calls out over a couple of days. The important thing is that
each person gets the message!
3 - Tell him or her that you are a voter and they need to:
Support healthcare reform that:
&bull Has a strong public option,
&bull Ensures employers provide care or pay into a system to ensure everyone can get care, and
&bull Does not tax benefits.
Please make sure that all results are reported to your District Rapid Response Coordinator.
"I Have Great Insurance . . . Why Would I Want Healthcare Reform?"
October 21, 2009
It's true that many USW members enjoy some of the best healthcare insurance around. For years,
many of us have made it a top priority at the bargaining table. Now that the national debate is
focused on reforming healthcare, many members are wondering: Why would I want reform?
Here's Why:
&bull Healthcare is often the most difficult issue in our negotiations. Premium costs have risen 138
percent in the last decade. Employers try to pass off those costs to us. Throughout our union, we're
seeing plan changes with higher deductibles, co-pays, etc. We're also seeing fewer wage and benefit
increases as trade-offs for maintaining coverage. Many employers are even trying to dump health
insurance altogether both for us and especially retirees. And, it's only going to get worse. . .
&bull Rising costs will continue to make negotiations harder. Within 10 years, the average family plan will
cost more than $30,000 per year. We can expect more strikes, disputes and bargaining trade-offs if
nothing changes as we struggle to keep our coverage in place.
&bull Rising healthcare costs continue to be a driving force in companies shifting production overseas.
Easing the healthcare burden gives employers one less incentive to abandon U.S. workers.
&bull We're paying twice for the uninsured. As taxpayers, we know we pay for things like Medicare, Medicaid
and VA benefits. But, did you know that through our insurance premiums, we also pay for the 46.3 million
who are uninsured? When the uninsured get medical care they can't pay for, those of us with insurance
foot the bill. Right now the premium cost for family coverage includes about $1,100 due to this costshifting.
With a reformed system, the burden won't be so heavy on a few.
&bull We might not always have the jobs we have right now. Many Steelworkers are employed in industries
that are under constant attack from foreign competition and the economic crisis. While our union
continues to fight on nearly every front to protect jobs, what happens if your job ends? What happens if
you get sick and can't work? What happens when you retire? Without healthcare reform, our ability to get
healthcare and remain financially secure are always uncertain.
&bull It's our friends, family members and neighbors who are the uninsured. One of them dies every 12
minutes because they lack insurance. It's just wrong.
USW Rapid Response http://www.uswrr.org
Healthcare Reform: Senate Update
October 6, 2009
The battle for healthcare reform is heating up now that the Senate Finance Committee,
under the lead of Chairman Max Baucus, is poised to vote soon on a proposal. While
healthcare reform remains a moving target, the Finance Committee proposal raises
serious concerns for the debate, while falling far short of the legislation introduced in the
House of Representatives.
Once the Senate Finance Committee votes as anticipated, it will be up to Senate Majority
Leader Harry Reid to develop a final bill for the full Senate's consideration. This bill could
incorporate aspects of a better version that was previously passed out of the Senate's
health committee.
Rapid Response will provide more information as it develops.
Be ready to take action again to help shape the debate!
USW Rapid Response (412) 562-2291 http://www.uswrr.org
Key problems with the Senate Finance proposal include:
&bull It taxes healthcare benefits, potentially impacting thousands of USW members
with higher-cost plans. These plans could be expensive because they cover older
workers, workers with worse than average health histories or even because of a
geographic area. While the tax is levied on insurers, or self-insured employers, the
cost will undoubtedly be passed on to workers in the form of higher premiums.
&bull It doesn't include a public option. A public option – like in the House bill – would
provide real competition for private insurance companies.
&bull Employers are not required to contribute in some way towards employees'
healthcare, allowing irresponsible employers to continue dumping their healthcare
costs on others with no penalty.
WE DID IT!
September 17, 2009
President Obama announced on Friday that he would stand up for U.S.
workers and impose tariffs on Chinese tire imports. This decision was a
response to the trade case that our union brought over surges in tire
imports that have resulted in thousands of lost jobs in our country.
This move by our President signals a sharp turn from his predecessor, who
refused to provide relief in four other similar trade cases with China. The
industries in these cases are being decimated. President Obama's
decision in the current case will give our tire workers a fighting chance.
This is a huge victory for U.S. workers, trade law enforcement, and our
union.
Thank you to everyone who took action,
and congratulations on the victory.
For more information, visit the USW's website dedicated to the tire 421 trade case at www.usw.org/tires
USW Rapid Response (412) 562-2291 http://www.uswrr.org
The credit for this win is shared by every one of you who wrote a
letter to the President supporting this case. More than 80,000
letters from USW activists went into the White House in just over
four weeks! These letters came from all industry sectors and all
parts of the country and is a show of the strength we have when
we act collectively.
"Public Option"
August 31, 2009
What Exactly is a "Public Option?"
Simply put, a public option would be a new health insurance plan overseen by the government. You
can think of it like a Medicare plan non-seniors could purchase. The President stresses that it must
be self-sustaining, stating, "taxpayers aren't subsidizing it. . . it has to run on charging premiums and
providing good services and a good network of doctors, just like any other private insurer would do."1
The Benefits of a Public Option Include:
&bull Giving Americans a Better Range of Health Care Choices
Expanding the options that are available means consumers will have more ability to decide what fits
their needs. A high-quality public option with lower-cost premiums promises to attract many
Americans, especially those who have been disappointed by our current for-profit system.
&bull Making the Private Health Care Market More Competitive
Today, there is really no competition. Huge for-profit insurers control large geographical regions.
This profit-driven system needs incentive to meaningfully reign-in costs while providing quality care,
rather than simply passing on higher premiums that drive more people into the ranks of the
uninsured.
Medicare, the public insurance program, has been much more successful than private insurers
when it comes to reducing administrative and operating costs. A public plan option would force
private insurers to compete on efficiency and quality, rather than on their ability to enroll the lowestcost
people. Plus, since a public option doesn't have to earn huge profits, premiums are expected
to be less.
&bull Keeping Insurance Companies Honest
The for-profit insurance industry is guilty of engaging in a number of unethical practices to increase
the bottom line: raising rates exorbitantly to force companies into dropping coverage, denying
procedures that should be covered, dropping a policy just as a person is diagnosed with a major
illness by finding a "technicality." With the threat of losing customers to a public plan, insurance
companies will have an incentive to provide better coverage that is also more affordable.
A Public Option is Really Just Common Sense.
1 From the transcript of President Obama's remarks at the town hall health care forum at a high school in Portsmouth, N.H., on August 11, 2009.
USW Rapid Response (412) 562-2291 http://www.uswrr.org
Act Now to Support U.S. Jobs!
Write a Note to Ask for Relief in the Tire Trade Case TODAY!
Earlier this week, Rapid Response alerted USW members <http://listserv.usw.org/t/167955/482371/136068/0/> to a pressing – and defining – trade case that is currently in the hands of the President. The outcome of this case has far-reaching implications for industries beyond just tire. A win means that we can start on a course of trade law enforcement; a loss will send a strong message to China that they can continue these practices without fear of recourse, leading to even more job loss.
* We all have something at stake. This case is about all workers who have lost jobs or are threatened with job loss from import surges from China. It's also about the other industries that could be impacted if this case is lost, and the families and communities that will be left to deal with the consequences. When we were fighting to save the steel industry, the local that wrote the most letters of any local in the country was a tire local in Union City, Tennessee. Today, that same local is slated to close because of this issue. Let's stand in solidarity with them – and with all who have been at the losing end in trade fights – to push for a new direction.
* Our timeline is very short! We need our Rapid Response teams to quickly mobilize on this issue. The President has until September 17 to make a decision whether or not relief will be granted. Letters need to flood the White House well in advance of that deadline so that we can both make our voices heard and counter the job-exporters who are mobilizing to defeat this case.
Action Instructions
________________________________
1 – Write a note to President Obama. Make sure to ask him to:
Please support a strong remedy in the Section 421 case on passenger and light truck tires.
Other points you might want to make:
* You have said that the future of America is tied to the future of manufacturing in America. Through a strong remedy, you have the opportunity to turn those words into action.
* The world is watching your actions on this case to see if your Administration will stand up for American manufacturing and American workers.
* As a voting American and a supporter of a strong American manufacturing sector and good manufacturing jobs in the United States, I urge you to act by applying adequate relief to stop the market disruption, such as recommended by the International Trade Commission.
* For too long, China's violations have not been curbed by any strong and meaningful enforcement. That has resulted in an exodus of manufacturing jobs. It has also encouraged China to continue these violations with impunity.
* Much must be done to stabilize manufacturing and rebuild our capacity to make things in America. Enforcement of trade rules is a critical part of that rebuilding process.
Make sure to include your address at the bottom of your note.
2 – Mail your letter to the White House.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
3 – Contact your Rapid Response Coordinator to report your local's results.
An accurate count is key in this action! It's essential that we know what kind of impact we're making.
4 – Please Act Immediately.
Because of the hard deadline in this case, this action requires a quick response. We need to generate as many letters as soon as possible to make a swift impact, especially within those locals with well-operating teams. The sooner we get the letters in, the greater the chance of a win.
Questions?
Call the Rapid Response Hotline Toll-Free at:
866-851-9631
USW Rapid Response Leading the Way on the Employee Free Choice Act!
The Employee Free Choice Act is at a critical point. A majority of lawmakers in the House and Senate are supportive. The President is willing to sign it into law. But, in the Senate, a process exists to talk a bill to death – "the filibuster" – and a Republican-led effort to kill the bill through this process is planned. To stop a filibuster, 60 votes are needed. We are just short of that goal.
As disappointed as we are with the Senators who have not stepped up in this fight, we are not letting up for a minute.
USW Activists in Key States Working Hard
Right now, USW members are continuing to keep up the pressure. In places like Pennsylvania, Arkansas and California, USW members are being asked to take action again and again to target those Senators who haven't yet given their support for the Employee Free Choice Act. This fight is coming down to a few key places across the country.
Senators Meeting to Address Issues; Vote Could Occur Within Weeks
While we're working on the ground, there is a group of Senators meeting to look at alternatives to the bill. We don't know what the outcome of these talks will produce, but we remain committed to passing real labor law reform. Senator Harkin, who is leading this fight as Senator Kennedy deals with health issues, has vowed to either find a solution that works to get to 60 votes, or force those unsupportive Senators to take a vote on the original measure. This way, we know where they stand come election time. Either way, the vote could occur this summer, possibly within weeks.
As this situation continues to play out, we will keep you posted on any major developments. Thank you to everyone for being so diligent over the years on this issue. And, for those of you in key states, thank you for continuing to fight for all of us for justice in the workplace.
Rapid Response Has a HUGE Day on Capitol Hill!
Our Fight Secures a Strong "Buy America" Provision, Stops Outsourcers' Efforts that Would
Undermine U.S. Jobs, Helps Move Obama's Economic Renewal Plan Forward AND
Puts Pressure on Congress to Pass the Employee Free Choice Act!
Yesterday, nearly 800 Rapid Response activists coverged upon Capitol Hill to tell their Senators: Pass a strong economic renewal plan, and ensure that those dollars support U.S. workers through a common-sense Buy America provision. Also, as these activists were making our demands in person, more than 3,800 USW members in key states were calling a handful of targeted senators to give them the same message by phone.
While this was happening, the nation's chief outsourcers – those same people who push for unfair trade at every turn – have been denouncing Buy America in favor of spending the money on foreign goods for our building projects and infrastrucutre.
The outsourcers have a key ally on their side; John McCain tried to rally fellow Senators behind an amendment he introduced to strip the strong Buy America provision from the bill. The good news is that the McCain amendment failed by a vote of 65 to 31. All Democrats voted against the McCain bill. All Republicans except Snowe (ME), Vitter (LA), Collins (ME), Hutchison (TX), Burr (NC), Graham (SC), Specter (PA), Brownback (KS), and Grassley (IA) voted for the McCain amendment. Independent Sen. Lieberman voted with McCain.
Also, we extended the Buy America provisions to include ALL manufactured products and not just iron and steel as the House version calls for.
The Senate is expected to vote on the overall bill that includes the Buy America provision very soon. Because the House has already passed another version of the bill, details will need to be worked out. Rapid Response will continue to track progress.
We also started the delivery of a million and a half cards in support of the Employee Free Choice Act and told our Senators and Representatives that we need this bill to make our economy work for everyone again. Dozens more are now cosponsors!
We congratulate all our activists who did such a great job
convincing our Senators to do the right thing and everyone who has been
driving our Employee Free Choice Act efforts across the country.
Yesterday's actions are proof that we are making a difference!
Corporate Greed Finally Breaks the Economy
The economic crisis we are now in is the result of unchecked corporate greed and decades of attacks on workers. The last thirty years have seen the biggest shift of wealth in American history where the richest 1% of all Americans owns 40% of all wealth. The USW has warned again and again that this economic inequality would eventually result in disaster and now that time has come.
The following are some of the guiding economic principles in place over the last thirty years that have crippled our economy and left American workers under assault like never before:
- Deregulation – The anti-worker economy and its practitioners reduced and eliminated rules for how corporations carry out their business operations and worked to institute these policies at the global scale through the World Trade Organization and free trade agreements.
- De-unionization – They trampled workers' rights to form a union, leaving them on their own to overcome employer harassment, intimidation and even illegal firings. They allowed corporations to run roughshod over contracts and retiree benefits. And, they made sure global trade agreements fail to protect workers anywhere.
- Globalization – They pushed policies that leave corporations unaccountable – to their workers, to the environment and even to the governments that allow them to operate. They've delivered unprecedented amounts of power to these companies, who in turn leave the U.S. and our workforce behind in a global race to find the lowest wages, no benefits and no unions.
- Privatization – Through turning over government services to private entities they've left our government vulnerable at all levels to corporations, unaccountable to taxpayers and oftentimes in situations where we wind up with greater costs.
Now it's up to us to turn our economy around and WE HAVE A PLAN!
Read about solutions for the economic crisis. Participate in the USW Economic Survey.
Watch for an upcoming InfoAlert that lays out the USW plan for economic recovery.
The Employee Free Choice Act
Workers wanting to form a union in this country routinely come under attack from anti-union employers – and the union-busters they hire – who use heavy-handed and oftentimes illegal tactics to derail organizing campaigns. The more employers are allowed to get away with these tactics, the more we are all hurt, especially when it comes to our jobs. We can see this every day as the fight for decent wages, secure benefits and job security becomes tougher and tougher. It will not get better until our freedom to form a union is restored.
During Organizing Campaigns:
25% of private-sector employers illegally fire workers for union activity,
75% of private-sector employers hire anti-union consultants or union-busters,
In an overwhelming number of organizing campaigns, employers force employees to attend mandatory anti-union meetings with their supervisors, and
In 32% of cases where employees win a union election, they still have no contract two years after the election.
It is Time to Fix Our Broken Laws
The Employee Free Choice Act levels the playing field:
Employers will no longer be able to dominate the process of forming a union -- Because the EFCA allows for "card check" (allowing workers that want a union the ability to sign cards in order to show their support), employers are denied the extra time they need to intimidate workers into voting no.
Ensures a first contract through mediation and arbitration if necessary -- Employers will no longer be able to stall bargaining for years in order to "bust" a new union!
Provides tougher penalties for law-breaking employers -- The EFCA ensures that penalties have teeth rather than the slap on the wrist we see today.
The Employee Free Choice Act passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 241-185, and while it gained a majority of support in the Senate, it fell short of the votes needed to stop the Republican filibuster.
Why We Need to Fight for the EFCA Now
With Congress heading towards the end of its session, and the chance of another vote on the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) unlikely this year, locals may be asking: why we are doing a petition action now?
The answer is that we are gearing up for a huge fight early next year when a new President and Congress come to town. We are optimistic that the anti-worker environment that has characterized President Bush's term in office will end, and the new President will be one that values and respects America's middle class and its working families.
But, even with the possibility of a pro-worker President and Congress that may enact the Employee Free Choice Act, there are absolutely no guarantees. What is certain is that big business and their anti-union allies are unleashing anti-union campaigns, sending mass numbers of lobbyists to Capitol Hill to spread misinformation about the EFCA and working overtime to try and keep us down.
Unions are Gearing Up for the Fight
The petition action isn't just taking place within the Steelworkers. This is a labor-wide push, with other unions across the country getting member's signatures just like we are. Other non-union groups are also taking part in the action. It will take all of us to get this bill passed.
We're Off to a Great Start
Nearly a hundred locals have already sent in petitions. The USW has always led the way on the Employee Free Choice Act, and we need to do so in this action as well.
If you've gotten all your members signed up, please sign up your family too. If the Employee Free Choice Act is passed into law, there will be benefits for all workers. Union members fight for wages, benefits and policies that set the standard for and improve the lives of all workers, union and non-union alike. Please take action today!
To learn more about rapid response and find out information on current issues or action being mobilized around the country you can log onto the national website at http://www.pacesteelalliance.org
