Pittsburgh was the latest stop of the “It's Better in a Union” bus tour, and union members in the Steel City showed out in full force. The event, which was held downtown and hosted by the United Steelworkers (USW), showcased union solidarity and power in fighting back against attacks by billionaire CEOs and politicians.
The crowd heard from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, USW President Dave McCall and USW Vice President Roxanne Brown.
“So if you’re a worker out there—whether you’re in a union yet or not, if you want freedom, fairness and security, come join us on this tour,” Shuler said. “Come be part of this movement. Come find out why it’s better in a union! We’re going to keep the momentum going all summer long and build a country that works for working people!”
A number of local workers spoke about how they’re fighting back against union-busting in order to exercise their union rights. A member of The NewsGuild (TNG-CWA) spoke about how he and his union siblings have had to endure more than 1,000 days of being on strike as the anti-union ownership of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has refused to bargain in good faith. Other union members decried cuts to funding for higher education and research, and the elimination of health insurance for millions of Americans. Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Angela Ferritto and Allegheny/Fayette Central Labor Council President Darrin Kelly also fired up the crowd and called on all in attendance to join the fight.
“We’re going to hold those accountable who stood with the billionaires instead of the middle class and those wanting to join the middle class,” McCall said. “If we put people in good-paying union jobs, it would increase our tax base all across this country. That’s how you pay down the national debt—give people good jobs with good wages. You don’t gut our needed services.”