2009 Pittsburgh Convention Stories: Poverty

The once mighty Pittsburgh steel towns in the Mon Valley are way past their glory days. But the traditional strength and determination of the hard working inhabitants shines through while a spark of hope is trying to ignite a bright future.

 In the midst of rising unemployment and other economic struggles, trade unionists are bringing hope to a community hanging on in the Hill District in Pittsburgh. 

 In Pittsburgh, the Steel Workers’ DeWitt Walton isn’t shy about pushing individuals, people in power and even fellow trade unionists outside their comfort zone.

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For young men and women growing up in southwestern Pennsylvania coal country, the job options boil down to working in the coal mines or working in the state prison. Third-generation coal miner Travis Hartley says "Anything less than union isn't good enough."

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By Len Shindel, Nancy North and Eric Wolfe

Fred Ulmer's fellow Navy veterans, though trained in aviation electronics, are bumping from job to job. Anthony Rosi’s high school classmates are up to their eyeballs in college debt. Michelle Warner’s friend has a master’s degree, but works as a bartender.

 

Today,these three first-year apprenticeship classmates at the Pittsburgh training center of IBEW Local 5, where they hope to find the economic security and fulfillment that has evaded their friends.

 

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VIDEO: Amid the rolling hills, rural farms and church steeples of Western Pennsylvania, it may not appear they are on the cutting edge of technology, but growing from this spot is a new model for union green jobs and sustainable energy made possible by the United Steelworkers (USW), Gamesa and legislative action. 

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IBEW Local 5 apprentice, Tony Furgiuele a 26 year old Iraq War veteran is fortunate to be doing better than many of his high school friends.  He believes everyone has his back in the brotherhood and thinks his generation is doing its part to advance the goals of the IBEW Brotherhood. By Bob Przybylinski and Tom Hopper.

 

 

The old U.S. Steel Homestead plant complex, site of the famous 1892 confrontation between workers and Pinkertons, is no more.  What will replace it -- and with how many jobs?  There may be an answer near Homestead, too. Those same questions are being asked nationwide. 

 Slideshow of images.

Pa. Building Trades Help Young Workers Get on Road to Middle Class by Alex Hogan

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