INFRASTRUCTURE — Members of the United Steelworkers and others gathered outside of the USW Local 2911 hall in Weirton, Tuesday, to rally as part of the USW International’s “We Supply America” tour, established to show support for investments into American infrastructure. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — With multiple bills on the topic making their way through Congress, representatives of the United Steelworkers International are traveling the highways of America to remind residents of the importance of investing in the nation’s infrastructure.

The “We Supply America” campaign stopped in Weirton Tuesday with a rally on the street outside the USW Local 2911 hall, with union officials joined by representatives of the West Virginia Legislature, local leaders and more as they called for investment in U.S. infrastructure.

“This is a really important moment for our union and we’re extremely proud to take this message on the road,” Roxanne Brown, a USW International vice president announced to the crowd, noting the recent passage in the U.S. Senate of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The bill, which must still be approved by the House of Representatives, could provide West Virginia with $3 billion for highways and $506 million for bridge replacement and repairs over five years, a minimum of $100 million for broadband expansion and $196 million for public transportation projects, among other funds.

Brown, though, also noted a $3.5 trillion ‘human infrastructure” bill up for debate which, if passed, would invest in Medicare expansion, climate change initiatives, universal pre-kindergarten, free community college and national paid family leave.

Jim Strong, assistant to the director of USW District 8, said West Virginians know the importance of infrastructure investment, citing manufacturing operations in the Mountain State which contribute to the nation’s electrical power grids, automotive industry, healthcare and energy industries.

“Our infrastructure has been ignored for too long,” Strong said, encouraging those in attendance to reach out to their Congressional and legislative representatives. “We are ready to supply America.”

Dave McCall, another USW International vice president, explained the USW has a long history of representing labor and industries involved in the nation’s growth and success.

“Whether we’re here in Weirton, or across the country, our union has always supplied America,” McCall said, reiterating the importance of investing for future generations. “That solid foundation our parents and grandparents built needs to be maintained and upgraded for our future.”

McCall said a lack of investment has resulted in enough water being lost to supply 80 percent of the world’s population, adding a lack of road maintenance results in an extra $1,000 in costs a year through vehicle repairs and gasoline.

Mark Glyptis, president of USW Local 2911 at Weirton’s Cleveland-Cliffs plant, and Tom Hubbard, president, of USW Local 419M at Fiesta Tableware Co. in Newell, spoke of their pride in the USW and the need to have more American labor involved in the nation’s infrastructure and industries.

“We have to take advantage of the opportunity we’ve been given,” Glyptis said of the infrastructure bills.

USW Local 2911 currently represents approximately 900 workers at the Weirton tinplate plant, while Local 419M represents close to 500 workers who make china for the company previously known as Homer Laughlin.

Patrick Bloom, vice president of government relations at Cleveland-Cliffs, also spoke on the need to focus on American industries, saying, for too long, the U.S. has allowed other countries to take away from its manufacturing base.

“With this investment, we are sending a clear message that we are taking that playbook back,” Bloom said. “Our future relies on it and our time is now.”

The crowd also heard from Del. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, and Del. Phil Diserio, D-Brooke, as well as a representative of U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va.

The stop in Weirton was the third of the USW International tour, which began in Chesterton, Ind., on Monday, and also made a stop in Newark, Ohio, Tuesday. It will continue to Pittsburgh, Danville, Va., and Wilmington, N.C.