Steel

May 6, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- The United Steelworkers (USW) today denounced attempts by the Chinese government to unduly influence members of the International Trade Commission’s (ITC) examination of imports. The delegation expressed particular concerns about a recently filed petition relating to tires from China exported to the U.S.

“It’s inappropriate under our trade laws that the Chinese government would argue the merits of their case in what was supposed to be a general information meeting,” said USW International president Leo W. Gerard. “They are not new to this process – this misconduct was totally improper and we commend the ITC for recognizing it.”    » read more »

Pittsburgh (Apr. 9) – The United Steelworkers (USW) announced it has challenged the pending federal permit in the controversial $5.4 billion TransCanada Keystone Pipeline that’s using under-standard thin-wall pipe for transport of crude oil from Alberta, Canada to Houston, Texas.

USW International Vice President Tom Conway transmitted a formal complaint to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on Apr. 6, urging the special permit requested by TransCanada be denied. He said the 2,000 mile pipeline is planned using a 36-inch thin-wall pipe at higher maximum operation pressure than is safely permitted under existing regulations. Read the entire Conway letter here.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. (Feb. 20, 2009) – Four U.S. stainless pipe producers, and the United Steelworkers (USW) today applauded a final order by the unanimous vote of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that found injury by dumped and subsidized Chinese imports of welded austenitic stainless steel pressure pipe.

Leo W. Gerard, USW President, said: “The determination by the commission against illegal stainless steel pipe imports from China was desperately needed to preserve American family supportive jobs.” He pledged that “the USW and the companies who employ our members will continue to vigorously battle these Chinese unfair trade practices.”    » read more »

January 23, 2009 -- MONTGOMERY - The following statement was issued by Alabama Governor Bob Riley on Friday after ThyssenKrupp’s announcement of a delay in the start of stainless steel production at its Alabama plant.

“The announcement of a delay is disappointing but understandable given current economic conditions. ThyssenKrupp is still committed to the project and this decision does not delay the plant’s construction. There are about 2,000 people working to build the plant now and that’s expected to grow to 10,000 in the next six months. Alabama is incredibly excited about ThyssenKrupp and the thousands of new jobs the company will create in our state.”

Source: Alabama Governor

June 20, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement after the International Trade Commission (ITC) concluded that Chinese pipe producers have injured U.S. manufacturers for several years by dumping circular welded steel pipe exports into our market - a practice which has been enabled through Chinese pipe producers receiving illegal government subsidies.

"I appreciate and support the ITC determination. This is the first case in the history of U.S. trade agreement enforcement involving subsidies in China that has resulted in the imposition of countervailing duties by the U.S. Department of Commerce.    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- Birmingham, Ala. -- Members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 888 and Local 941 ratified a four-year labor agreement by a margin of three-to-one yesterday at the Georgia-Pacific (GP) paper mill in Brewton, Ala., that provides wage and benefit increases, improves retiree health care and pensions in addition to restoring all seniority rights that existed on Sept. 27, 2007, under the plant’s previous owner.    » read more »

Labor-Management Partnership Seeks Commitment to Combat Unfair Trade

February 28, 2008 -- PITTSBURGH - The United Steelworkers (USW) today heralded an advertising campaign in Ohio sponsored by the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) that asks presidential hopefuls if they will take steps to curb manufacturing job losses in the state caused by unfair trade.    » read more »

February 6, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. -- The United Steelworkers (USW) welcomed today’s preliminary decision to impose antidumping duties on new pneumatic off-the-road (OTR) tire imports from China announced by the U.S. Commerce Department.    » read more »

January 30, 2008 -- Pittsburgh – The United Steelworkers (USW) reacted to former Senator John Edwards’ announcement that he is withdrawing from the presidential race by expressing pride in the candidate’s role in forging a progressive agenda that would significantly change the direction the country has taken over the past eight years.

“We greet the Senator’s decision with some disappointment but with a great deal of pride in what he has accomplished in this campaign,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard.    » read more »

January 30, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – A trade case was filed with the federal government today by the United Steelworkers (USW) and four domestic producers of welded austenitic stainless pipe against surging China imports. The producers are Bristol Metals L.P., (Bristol, Tennessee); Felker Brothers Corporation, (Marshfield, Wisconsin); Outokumpu Stainless Pipe Inc., (Wildwood, Florida); and Marcegaglia USA, Inc. (Munhall, Pennsylvania).    » read more »