Local Issues

United Steelworkers
Local 752L
Annual Fish Fry

LOCATION: Four States Fair Grounds Entertainment Center
DATE: September 3, 2007
TIME: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

This fish fry is an annual event of USW Local 752L and is for the sole purpose of enjoyment and fellowship for our members and retirees.

July 11, 2007

Presidential Forum Draws USW Activists from all over U.S.

More than 1,000 Steelworker political activists gathered in Cleveland late last week to discuss what needs to be done to renew manufacturing in America. Presidential candidates Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards and Hillary Clinton addressed us and committed to a labor agenda, if elected. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Rich Trumka also give a well received presentation on politics and the economy. More and more, it looks like the 2008 campaign will provide us with the opportunity to really turn things around in our country. Let us all work together to have government again work in the best interests of all of us, not just the very powerful.
For more information, click here.

Labor Triumphs as Congress Decides to Change Direction on Trade Policy

We cannot overlook the big victory we achieved two weeks ago when the Democratic leadership of the House of Representatives decided to oppose pending free trade agreements with South Korea and Colombia, as well as rejecting renewing Fast Track Authority before a comprehensive new trade policy has been put in place. The USW put much time and effort into this process and the results speak loudly. We welcome the opportunity to work cooperatively with the Democratic majority on our pro-growth, pro-job, pro-worker agenda.
For more information, click here.

USW Canada Challenging Higher Interest Rates

Canadian National Director Ken Neumann is challenging the Bank of Canada’s proposed increase in interest rates because it will accelerate the destruction of more manufacturing jobs there. Higher interest rates will most likely further increase the value of the Canadian dollar, which has already been a major factor in wiping out more than 250,000 manufacturing jobs in Canada. The USW and other unions have been campaigning to pressure the federal and provincial governments to adopt policies to save and promote jobs in the manufacturing and forestry sectors.
For more information, click here.

USW and Unite Announce Joint Effort to Stop Murders of Colombian Trade Unionists

Last week, our union and Unite, the largest union in the UK and Ireland, announced a united effort to support the people and trade unionists of Colombia in their fight for progressive change in the country where record numbers of unionists are assassinated annually. This is our first joint action following our agreement in April to form a merger exploratory committee. Our collective efforts have included pressing legal action against multinational companies accused of colluding with paramilitary attacks on trade unionists; sending activists and officials on solidarity missions to Colombia; and, providing legal support for trade unionists imprisoned in Colombia.
For more information, click here.

New Agreement with Dana Protects Wages, Pensions and Benefits

Last week we reached a tentative agreement with Dana Corp that will facilitate the company’s emergence from bankruptcy while protecting the hard earned wages, benefits and pensions of active employees and retirees. A key to the agreement was a $500 million investment which is expected to help secure the future of Dana as it exits bankruptcy. The tentative agreement requires the company to limit its debt, have minimum liquidity and obtain new cash investment in order to secure its future.
For more information, click here.

USW Health, Safety and Environment Conferences Scheduled

This is a reminder that the 2007 Health, Safety and Environment Conference and the Steelworkers Joint Labor/Management Health, Safety and Environment Conference will be held back-to-back the week of August 5–10 in Dearborn, Michigan.  Our union is a leader in the global trade union movement health, safety and the environment efforts. Participation in the conference is vital for local union health, safety and environmental activists. We also encourage you to invite your employer counterparts to participate in the Joint Labor/Management Conference, provided that local union representatives are also present.
For more information and conference registration, go to www.usw.org/safety. 

POWERcast Episode 23 brings you the latest on the Employee Free Choice Act and takes you to the Pennsylvania Statehouse, where Governor Ed Rendell is taking smart steps toward building a clean energy industry that works for workers and the environment.  You’ll hear why some of the presidential candidates are making the union vote a priority. And the Creep of the Week is an absolutely outrageous oversight that may have cost people their lives.
To hear episode 23, click here.

In Episode 24, we go inside a big trade decision by congressional leaders. It’s a big win for workers and a testament to our hard work. We touch base with former Steelworkers’ President Lynn Williams, who shares his insightful thoughts about labor’s role in the future in a renewed progressive movement. The Creep of the Week is a mouthpiece for many of the world’s biggest businesses that think the bottom line is more important than human rights.
To hear episode 24, click here. For a list of all episodes, click here.

USW Supports U.S. Senate ‘Cap-and-Trade’ Legislation

‘Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007’ a fair, balanced step on climate change more...

Presidential Forum

The United Steelworkers of America sponsored a two-day conference in Cleveland during the week of the fourth of July with the goal of getting Democratic presidential candidates to discuss the future of American manufacturing. more...

Former Steelworker President George Becker Dies

Pittsburgh -- George Becker, a second-generation steelworker who became the sixth international president of the United Steelworkers (USW), died Saturday at his home in Gibsonia, Pa., surrounded by his family, following a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 78. more...

To: All Cooper People December 19, 2006

From: Byron Pond

Subject: New CEO

It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Roy V. Armes as President and Chief Executive Officer for Cooper Tire, effective January 1, 2007.

We are happy to find an individual with Roy's excellent qualifications to help drive Cooper's future success during this pivotal time in our history. In just a few minutes we will be releasing this news to the world via a news release. Here is the text within the release which describes Roy's background:

Armes comes to Cooper following an outstanding 31 year career at Whirlpool Corporation. He brings to Cooper a wealth of experience in engineering, manufacturing, global procurement and international operations management as well as a successful track record of developing customer relationships and consumer oriented products. His specific roles included: Senior Vice President, Project Management Office; Corporate Vice President/General Director, Whirlpool Mexico; Corporate Vice President, Global Procurement Operations; and President and Managing Director, Whirlpool Greater China.

In addition, there is a short bio attached which further describes his history of success in various management positions.

Please join me in welcoming Roy to Cooper Tire and give him your cooperation and support.

• USW LOCAL 752L

Local 752L has been notified of the proposed changes to be made at our Texarkana Plant in the upcoming months. The Union will make every effort to protect the rights and jobs of all the workers in the plant. We will urge our members to do their best to make these plans successful, but we will not allow the company to violate the contract that was signed in good faith less than two (2) years ago. Cooper management has stated that these proposed changes are subject to change at the discretion of the company. Cooper is making these changes at the Texarkana and other North American Plants while planning to increase imports coming from China. Local 752L is sending to USW International all the information we receive so they will be able to advise our Local about our rights in these uncertain times.