Tell your State Representative to support HD. 4285!
Our nation is home to nearly 21 million veterans of the Armed Forces, four million of whom have served since September 11, 2001. In Massachusetts, 277,814 residents, or five percent of the eighteen and older population, are military veterans. Many have come home and entered the civilian workforce in a variety of occupations and industries. We’re extra proud of those who are USW members.
As a state and a nation, we have shown through policymaking that we respect and honor the patriotic service of our veterans and their families by ensuring there are programs to assist them in education and training, job placement, healthcare, and more — but there is still more work to be done.
With the encouragement of our union, the Massachusetts legislature has introduced HD. 4285. This is a bipartisan bill that would require every employer in the commonwealth with more than fifty full-time employees to have a standardized workplace posting that includes basic information about veterans’ benefits and a way for veterans to learn more about programs such as:
- Contact and website information for the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services and the Department of Veterans’ Services;
- Information about substance abuse and mental health treatment resources;
- Educational, workforce, and training resources;
- Resources for tax benefits information;
- Information about obtaining a veteran’s indicator on a state driver’s license or identification card;
- Information about eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits under state or federal law;
- Legal services; and
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Crisis Line.
These programs help to ease the transition back into civilian life and ensure that families and communities are supported after giving selflessly for our country.
Making Your Voice Heard Today is Easy!
1. Click HERE to send a prewritten email to your State Representative urging them to vote YES on HD. 4285.
2. Make a call to your State Representative. You can find their contact information HERE. Not sure who represents you? You can look up your legislator HERE.
We need your help to ensure the legislature supports our effort.
Honoring these courageous individuals should happen not only while they are actively serving but also when they return home. Within our union, the “Veterans of Steel” program honors military service and identifies ways to assist veterans and their families in Steelworker-represented workplaces. If you are a veteran and would like to join Veterans of Steel, click HERE.
For additional questions about this issue or ways to get involved in Rapid Response, contact Mark McDonald, USW District 4 Rapid Response Coordinator, at (716) 553-0239 or mmcdonald@usw.org.
Click HERE for a printable version to distribute in your workplace.
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(412) 562-2291 http://www.uswrr.org
