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Welcome to Solidarity Works, a podcast from the United Steelworkers union. We’re here to have conversations and start conversations about the past, present, and future of the labor movement, as well as talk about some of the work the union is doing, with USW activists leading the way.

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  2. Tackling Two-Tier: Workers Unite and Dismantle Divisive Wage Systems

Tackling Two-Tier: Workers Unite and Dismantle Divisive Wage Systems

Feb 28, 2024

When late International President Tom Conway took the helm of the USW in July 2019, he made a promise that his administration would work to reduce or eliminate tiered wage and benefit systems in union contracts.

Many USW locals have heeded late President Conway’s call and made great strides in eliminating these tiered systems in recent years. Today we’re talking with USW Vice president Luis Mendoza about how members in the paper sector have done just that, including workers at WestRock, America’s second-largest packaging company.

We’re also talking with Chris Frydenger, who works at a brass foundry in Illinois, about how his local was able to beat back a two-tier system implemented in 2016.