Our Founding Principles

The work of Steelworkers Organizing Committee begin in 1942 with a set of founding principles - values that still guide us today:

1. To unite in one organization, regardless of creed, color or nationality, all workmen and working women eligible for membership.

2. To increase the wages, and improve the conditions of employment of our members by legislation, joint agreements or other legitimate means.

3. To endeavor to obtain by joint negotiation or legislative enactment a six-hour day and five-day week.

4. To strive for a minimum wage scale for all members of our organization.

5. To provide for the education of our children by lawfully prohibiting their employment until they have reached eighteen years of age

6. To secure equitable statutory old-age pension, workman’s compensation and unemployment insurance laws.

7. To enforce existing just laws and to secure the repeal of those which are unjust.

8. To secure by legislative enactment, laws protecting the limbs, lives and health of our members; (laws) establishing our right to   organize; (laws) preventing the employment of privately armed guards during labor disputes and such other legislation as will be beneficial.