The USW 2022 Constitutional Convention on Thursday adopted a resolution in strong support of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) in its mission to keep generations of workers connected.
“Everybody’s Union definitely includes our retirees,” said USW SOAR Coordinator Julie Stein. “In fact, it is absolutely essential to include SOAR members for us to be Everybody’s Union.”
The resolution encourages the union to find new and inventive ways to incorporate SOAR chapters into all aspects of the USW’s work on political issues, strategic campaigns and other mobilizations.
“We can’t afford to leave people on the sideline when we need to fight, and there’s a lot of experience there,” Conway said. “This is an essential part of the work the union does.”
The resolution also seeks to help grow the SOAR membership by encouraging local unions to cover the cost of first-year dues and bargaining checkoff for future retiree membership.
Bonnie Cary, a SOAR Board member from District 11, thanked members of USW Local 105 for supporting their SOAR chapter while speaking in favor of the resolution.
Their investment in SOAR “keeps our chapter thriving. It keeps us active. It keeps money coming in to us to help us to be involved in the community, to help politically, and to try to help the local,” Cary said.
Prior to the convention, about 100 delegates and guests gathered on Aug. 5 and 6, for the 13th annual SOAR conference.
Retired members heard from speakers, including members of the USW International Executive Board, elected new SOAR leaders, and passed a series of resolutions supporting the USW’s work in bargaining, political activism and organizing.
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