USW

Washington, DC (May 22) – The United Steelworkers (USW) called today’s affirmative vote by the U.S. International Trade Commission to proceed with the trade case investigation against China imports of oil country tubular goods an urgent step for the thousands of laid-off workers at idled pipe production facilities of seven domestic companies.

“The OCTG producers and jobless pipe workers are paying the price of China’s massive government subsidies and unfair dumping of imports in our market,” USW President Leo W. Gerard declared. “More than a third of this industry’s 6,000 workers are now laid off, threatening the future of a critical product used in our energy extraction industry.”    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – The United Steelworkers (USW) today urged Congress and the Administration to reject any taxpayer-supported plan to restructure automobile companies that would export jobs instead of strengthen the domestic industry.

North America’s largest industrial union made the point today at a “teach-in” on Capitol Hill sponsored by mayors, workers, business leaders, and labor officials to educate lawmakers about the impact on their communities.

Nationwide, more than 7.2 million jobs are related to the auto industry in supply and manufacturing, as well as in health care, education, civil services and many more areas. Thousands of small businesses and local communities could be irreparably damaged if the auto industry is allowed to fail.    » read more »

May 14, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - From May 11 to May 14, thousands of workers whose paychecks are tied to the U.S. auto industry joined bus tours through 11 states to showcase the ripple effect of economic devastation and lost jobs in industries ranging from steel and paper to shops on Main Street and public education. For highlights from the 11-state bus tour, visit www.madeinamericatour.org.    » read more »

Washington, DC (May 13, 2009) – Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW) today praised the progress made by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee in its work to pass comprehensive climate change legislation with the following statement:

“The USW has been working to ensure that the new products and processes which will build the clean energy economy and solve the challenge of climate change are created here in the U.S. and built by American workers. We believe that addressing climate change and ensuring the strength of our nation’s manufacturing sector can be compatible goals.    » read more »

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 »

WASHINGTON (April 20) – The United Steelworkers (USW) today announced the filing of a major trade case against the flood of imported consumer tires from China that have led to thousands of job losses and a growing number of plant closings throughout the U. S.

Leo W. Gerard, USW international president, declared: “American workers are struggling to make it through the worst economic crisis in 80 years. Our tire industry is collapsing under the weight of 46 million Chinese tires entering our shrinking market annually.”    » 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 »

Appears before House Trade Subcommittee, cites options for job security

Washington (Mar. 24) – Leo W. Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers (USW) appeared today before the U.S. House Trade Subcommittee, saying “the potentially catastrophic issues posed by climate change is the challenge of our generation, and meeting that challenge will require the mobilization of everyone in the world behind a common purpose.”

He told the hearing, “America can and must lead this effort, not only by taking a bold stand to limit greenhouse gas emissions, but by harnessing this nation’s greatest resource, the ingenuity and creativity of the American people.    » read more »

March 19, 2009 -- United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo W. Gerard today applauded an effort by the Obama administration to guarantee loans for strapped auto industry suppliers through a credit insurance program. The program makes an immediate $5 billion in financing available to suppliers to major car companies to collect against receivables owed to them by auto manufacturers.    » read more »

March 02, 2009 -- Pittsburgh – The United Steelworkers (USW) today heartily endorsed President Obama’s selection of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to become the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).    » 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 »

(Pittsburgh) -- President Obama selected the perfect negotiator, expert and innovative thinker when he chose Ron Bloom, a special assistant to United Steelworkers (USW) International President, to serve as a senior advisor in the Treasury Department for U.S. auto industry restructuring, said a union official today.

“Solving the problems of the domestic auto industry is a monumental challenge, but Ron has tremendous ability,” said USW president Leo W. Gerard. “There’s not much you haven’t seen when you’ve restructured 50 companies in bankruptcy,” Gerard said, referring to firms Bloom worked to revive in his position as head of the USW’s corporate research, industry analysis and pattern bargaining department.    » read more »

The United Steelworkers (USW) regret that in spite of all the hard work and effort by the workers, W.Va. Governor Joe Manchin and management of Century Aluminum in Ravenswood, W.Va., to keep the plant operating, the union recognizes with deep regret that the three remaining pot lines cannot continue operating under this country’s economic meltdown

Pittsburgh – The United Steelworkers (USW) regret that in spite of all the hard work and effort by the workers, W.Va. Governor Joe Manchin and management of Century Aluminum in Ravenswood, W.Va., to keep the plant operating, the union recognizes with deep regret that the three remaining pot lines cannot continue operating under this country’s economic meltdown, resulting in a total of 560 USW members of Local 5668 to be on layoff.    » read more »

The United Steelworkers (USW) union reached a tentative agreement today with the lead company for the oil industry that becomes the minimum standard of wages, benefits and working conditions for all National Oil Bargaining local union negotiations in the U.S.

Austin, Texas—The United Steelworkers (USW) union reached a tentative agreement today with the lead company for the oil industry that becomes the minimum standard of wages, benefits and working conditions for all National Oil Bargaining local union negotiations in the U.S.

“These were tough negotiations given the economic conditions of an economy still in a total free-fall,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard said. “The oil companies were not willing to work with us fully to improve process safety.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard today called for “Buy America” enforcement provisions in the upcoming stimulus legislation.

“This is about jobs and putting our economy on the right track,” said Brown. “Buy America provisions will ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars go toward the creation of U.S. jobs.”

“Those opposing economic patriotism are all on the wrong side of history. I commend those members of Congress who are economic patriots,” Gerard said. “We need to ensure that our laws are aggressively implemented to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used to put Americans back to work and help renew our economy.”    » read more »