Leading Forward: A Message from the SOAR President

As your new SOAR President, I am honored to share my priorities, recent activities, and vision for the future of SOAR with you.

Since being sworn in on March 1, my top priority has been to raise awareness that SOAR membership is open to like-minded individuals aged 45 and above. Although our membership rules changed in 2019, the pandemic left many union members unaware of this opportunity. To address this, we are proactively reaching out to union members and supporters about SOAR well before retirement.

We recently concluded our annual SOAR Executive Board Meeting in Washington, D.C., with a focus on strategic planning for SOAR's future.

Building on that momentum, we then took part in the USW 2026 Rapid Response, Legislative & Policy Conference, where SOAR board members and other district SOAR activists joined USW's advocacy efforts by lobbying on Capitol Hill.

Our discussions centered on three key pieces of legislation aimed at supporting retired and working families nationwide. Summaries of each bill appear below, with more details about the USW Rapid Response Action Call provided in this newsletter.

• Honoring Those Who Served: The Thomas M. Conway Veterans Access to Resources in the Workplace Act would require employers to post information about available veterans' benefits in the workplace.
• Protect Worker Health and Safety: The Protect Worker Health and Safety Act would update our nation's key workplace safety law to meet today's challenges.
• Defend Our Hard-Earned Retirement Benefits: Safeguarding American Families and Expanding (SAFE) Social Security Act would strengthen Social Security benefits and address the projected 2032 shortfall, protecting the retirement security of millions.

To keep our momentum going, I urge you to participate in this Rapid Response Action Call by contacting your federal representatives and advocating for these vital pieces of legislation. Your voice truly makes a difference in shaping policies that protect working and retired families.

Additionally, I have had the opportunity to speak at several district conferences-including Districts 4, 8, and 10-where I promoted SOAR and our age 45+ membership initiative. I look forward to attending more conferences in the future and hope to have the pleasure of meeting many of you in person.

Together, we will fight for the issues that matter most to our members, defend the dignity they have earned through a lifetime of hard work, and build an organization that future generations of Steelworkers will be proud to join.

Wishing you a safe, healthy, and joyful summer ahead.