Every week, hard-working steelworkers in Newport News, VA, pay their dues to Local 8888 of the United Steelworkers Union with the expectation that their rights and interests will be vigorously advocated for. However, it has become painfully clear that the Union leaders are not fulfilling their responsibilities. These leaders have consistently failed to represent the financial interests and rights of each Union member, leaving many workers feeling exploited and without the support they desperately need.

Local 8888's relationship with Huntington Ingalls, a major employer in the region, appears compromised. Instead of negotiating contracts that protect the workforce’s welfare and secure fair benefits and wages, there is evidence suggesting that the Union is more aligned with corporate interests than with those who are putting in the back-breaking labor every day. Steelworkers rely on their Union for protection and fair negotiation, but what happens when that Union has neither the competence nor the resolve to stand up to their employers?

The last contract negotiation reflected the Union’s inadequacies distinctly. Workers were left with less-than-favorable terms, screaming for a new direction and a leadership that listens to the real concerns of its members. The faith and trust placed in Union leaders have eroded, and it’s time for a change.

Decertifying Local 8888 is a necessary step towards regaining control over our workplace environment and ensuring that future Union leadership works tirelessly for its constituents. This process begins by holding a vote among the members to determine whether the Union should remain certified.

We need decisive action to realign our representation with the values and needs of the hardworking steelworkers in Newport News. This petition aims to initiate a formal inquiry into the corrupt and inept practices of the current Union leadership. It further seeks support for a new vote on decertification to rebuild a Union that truly serves its members’ best interests.

Join us in taking a stand. We need your signature to help spark this change and make a true difference for every steelworker in Newport News. Sign this petition to push for transparency, accountability, and a competent Union that embodies the true spirit of solidarity.