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Fight Back America is the United Steelworkers
(USW) Associate Member Program’s (AMP) Campaign to
build power through community action by:
Improving people’s lives; Fighting
for good jobs, a fair workplace, access to good healthcare,
a clean environment; and, Strengthening Union ties to all
working people and our natural allies, such as students,
environmental and human-rights advocates.
The Steelworkers have always fought for
social and economic justice. Fight Back America is reaching
out beyond the traditional workplaces to anyone, no matter
their job or profession. Anyone can join the Steelworkers,
even if they don’t have a union where they work in
the fight for global justice.
In 2005, the AMP ran a pilot project
in UWSA District 11. Its focus has been on organizing and
recruiting efforts primarily in Washington State and Minnesota.
Limited actions were conducted in Oregon, Missouri, Iowa,
and Ohio.
Currently, nearly 8,000 people from 40
different states have joined the AMP. People have signed
up through organized events, media promotions, word of
mouth, small group meetings, various grassroots activities,
direct mail, the website, and email.
Our members come from a variety of backgrounds.
Including:
Former USWA members High school and college
students Democratic, progressive, environmental, human
rights and grassroots activists Educators, lawyers, and
elected officials, Blue and White Collar workers Retired
workers, friends and family of Steelworkers
Local AMP chapters have been established
in Minnesota and Washington. Potential chapters in Ohio
are in the planning stages.
Fight
Back America is
the first phase of a two-stage campaign that the AMP
is to mount a progressive counteroffensive against
the wrongheaded right-wing policies of the Bush Administration,
its allies in the Republican controlled Congress, and
corporate special interests. We’re framing the
debate on our terms and organizing new members in local
communities to promote a new progressive agenda. We’re
fighting back through our organizing efforts.
Global
Justice Tour: an
organizing drive reaching out to students and other
international human rights advocates that are part
of the struggle for labor rights and workplace fairness;
Blue Green Alliance: state
based union and environmental coalitions that work to create
jobs, protect the environment and end dependence on foreign
energy sources.
We believe that a better vision for the
world is possible but we must act now for change! |
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