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Tom Conway became an activist in Local 6787 of the Steelworkers Union soon after he hired in at the Burns Harbor Works of Bethlehem Steel in 1978. While working as a millwright in the coke plant, he served as a griever for plant-wide maintenance and member of the safety and contracting-out committees. He was appointed as a USWA staff representative in 1987 and assigned to Indiana’s former District 31 office.

He has spent much of his USWA career focusing on the steel industry in the U.S. and has been involved in most of the major collective bargaining efforts within that industry.

Conway was instrumental in the start up of the Institute for Career Development (ICD) program in 1989, working with the participating steel companies of the basic steel industry. He currently serves on its Governing Board. ICD is a company-paid program negotiated by the USWA for members to enhance their personal development with educational programs developed by steelworkers for steelworkers.

Conway was appointed Secretary of the Basic Steel Industry Conference (BSIC) in 1995. His additional responsibilities include field mobilization for the USWA’s Stand Up for Steel campaigns and related trade and legislative efforts at the federal and state levels.

Working jointly with the domestic steel industry, the USWA was able to achieve the steel tariffs of 2002, which rescued many domestic producers from bankruptcy and liquidation. Conway played an instrumental role throughout these efforts.

He has also worked on the consolidation and restructuring of the U.S. domestic steel industry. He serves as chairman of the USWA bargaining committees at U.S. Steel and Allegheny Ludlum.

The International Executive Board appointed Conway International Vice President effective March 1, 2005.