Hundreds of members of the United Steelworkers (USW) and other unions gathered in downtown Pittsburgh to protest against former President Donald Trump’s policies affecting working people. The rally was part of the AFL-CIO’s nationwide bus tour, “It’s Better in a Union: Fighting for Freedom, Fairness & Security,” which aims to amplify workers’ voices on their struggles to organize and address issues important to them.
The tour started earlier this month in Washington, D.C., and will travel across 26 states. It highlights how the Trump administration has made life harder for working individuals by cutting funding for essential programs and agencies that many rely on. These cuts include reductions in research funding for higher education and public health, Medicaid rollbacks, mass firings at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and weakening health and safety agencies like the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
USW International President David McCall emphasized the importance of unity among workers to resist these challenges. “We’re going to hold those accountable who stood with the billionaires instead of the middle class,” said McCall. He argued that creating good-paying union jobs is key to strengthening the national economy.
USW International Vice President at Large Roxanne D. Brown also addressed Trump’s attempts to undermine labor rights as part of a broader scheme against fundamental worker protections. “It is more important than ever that we lift our collective voices together and fight,” said Brown.
Pittsburgh was chosen as a significant location for the bus tour due to its strong union presence, where members advocate not only for local contracts but also support workers nationwide in their quest for fair benefits.
The USW represents 850,000 workers across North America in industries such as metals, mining, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, services, public sectors, healthcare sectors, and higher education.
For further details about their initiatives or activities visit www.usw.org.
