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USW Calls on Goodyear to Address Threat of Ortho-Toluidine Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, [email protected], 412-562-2444 (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) – United Steelworkers (USW) District 4 Director David Wasiura issued the following statement today, calling on Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company to address serious concerns about ortho-toluidine exposure stemming from its Niagara Falls chemical facility: “Our union has worked for decades to push Goodyear to enact common-sense health and safety protections against occupational exposure to ortho-toluidine, a known carcinogen. “Thanks to the relentless efforts of countless USW members, we’ve been able to institute a full-time health and safety representative and other major improvements to in-plant health and safety protocols. “Now, it’s past time for Goodyear to look beyond the walls of this facility and address the risks associated with possible ortho-toluidine exposure on the wider community. “Up until this point, Goodyear has been willing to hide behind outdated federal regulations, but this is simply not good enough. Goodyear must reduce exposure to the lowest possible level – inside and outside the plant. “Our members are proud to live and work in the greater Niagara area, and we will continue to fight to keep every stakeholder safe and healthy.” USW District 4 represents workers in a wide array of occupations in New York and eight other New England states, including approximately 40 workers at Goodyear’s Niagara Falls chemical facility. ### — Jan 9
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USW Commends Biden for Blocking USS-Nippon Sale Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, (412) 562-2444, [email protected] (PITTSBURGH) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall today issued the following statement in response to President Joe Biden blocking the proposed U.S. Steel-Nippon sale: “The USW welcomes President Biden’s decision to block the U.S. Steel-Nippon deal. We have no doubt that it’s the right move for our members and our national security. “Throughout the past year, as the proposed transaction was under review, our union’s first and only concern has been the long-term viability of our facilities as we look to ensure a strong domestic steel industry well into the future. “Nippon has proven itself to be a serial trade cheater that for decades worked to undermine our domestic industry by dumping its products into our market. Allowing it to purchase U.S. Steel would have offered it the opportunity to further destabilize our trade system from within and in the process, compromise our ability to meet our own national security and critical infrastructure needs. “It’s clear from U.S. Steel’s recent financial performance that it can easily remain a strong and resilient company. We now call on U.S. Steel’s board of directors to take the necessary steps to allow it to further flourish and remain profitable. “We’re grateful for President Biden’s willingness to take bold action to maintain a strong domestic steel industry and for his lifelong commitment to American workers. Moving forward, we’re confident that with responsible management, U.S. Steel will continue to support good jobs, healthy communities and robust national and economic security well into the future.” The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations. ### — Jan 3
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USW Welcomes Trump’s Opposition to U.S. Steel-Nippon Deal Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, (412) 562-2444, [email protected] (PITTSBURGH) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall today issued the following statement in response to President-elect Donald Trump reiterating his opposition to the proposed U.S. Steel-Nippon sale: “The USW welcomes President Trump’s continued opposition to Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel, a deal with serious long-term implications for U.S. economic and national security. “President Trump first voiced his concerns shortly after the transaction was announced, vowing to block the sale if elected. This week, he once again stated that he is ‘totally against’ the merger and that he would ‘block this deal from happening.’ “It’s clear that President Trump understands the vital role a strong domestic steel industry plays in our national security, as well as the importance of the jobs and communities the industry supports. “Our union thanks him for his continuing commitment to American manufacturing and agrees with him that with proper attention, U.S. Steel will flourish well into the future as a domestically owned and operated company. “This transaction has been under review for more than 10 months. More time won’t change the fact that it’s bad for USW members across the states where U.S. Steel operates, nor will it alter the dire national and economic security risks the deal poses to our country. It’s time for this deal to be rejected so we can all focus on the future.” The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations. ### — Dec 3
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Blanket Tariffs Will Hurt Workers on Both Sides of the Border: USW Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, [email protected]; Shannon Devine, 416-938-4402, [email protected] Pittsburgh - United Steelworkers (USW) officials in both Canada and the United States today expressed their concern with President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement that he would impose a blanket 25-percent tariff on goods from Canada imported into the United States. “If applied, these extraordinary tariffs leveled on Canada would dramatically harm workers in both our countries,” said USW International President David McCall. “There is no question that we must address the holes in our global trading system, but Canada is not the problem.” USW leaders further noted that the Canadian and U.S. economies are deeply integrated, and Canada recently moved to better align with U.S. policies to help stem the flow of unfairly traded products making their way into North America. Canada is also a unique national security partner. “There is absolutely no doubt that working families are the first to get hurt by unfair trade practices, including global overcapacity in key sectors,” said USW Canadian National Director Marty Warren. “The answer, however, is to work together as allies on sensible trade policies that will allow us to contain bad actors like China.” “Our union in both the United States and Canada has been on the front lines for decades fighting for worker-forward trade policies that keep our critical supply chains secure,” said McCall. “Now, rather than taking a step back, we must capitalize on our current momentum in order to create lasting change.” The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in manufacturing, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in tech, public sector and service occupations. ### — Nov 26
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Pitt Graduate Workers Vote to Join USW Contact: Cheyenne Schoen, [email protected], 412-562-2446 Pittsburgh – University of Pittsburgh graduate workers today voted to join the United Steelworkers (USW) union. The roughly 2,100 graduate workers organized to gain a voice on the job and the ability to negotiate over vital issues like funding security, stipend increases, protections against discrimination and harassment, improved family benefits, a voice in hours and conditions of work and affordable health insurance. “My colleagues and I are a critical part of the research and education that makes the University of Pittsburgh a world-class academic institution,” said Caroline Layding, a graduate researcher in Pitt's biostatistics department. The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board held an in-person election for the graduate workers over the past several days. An overwhelming majority voted in favor of joining the union. “We are so proud to join the Steelworkers and we can't wait to meet the university administration at the bargaining table,” said Layding. The workers will become part of the 850,000-member USW, one of the largest labor unions in North America, which has its headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh. Staff at Pitt unionized with the USW in September, and faculty at Pitt unionized with the USW in 2021. “Graduate workers provide vital contributions to the university community, and their efforts to achieve a seat at the table will ultimately provide widespread benefits as Pitt becomes a stronger place to work and learn,” said USW District 10 Director Bernie Hall, who represents about 50,000 Steelworkers in Pennsylvania. “We welcome Pitt grads into our union and look forward to helping them bargain a first contract that reflects their work as researchers and educators.” The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in manufacturing, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in tech, public sector and service occupations. ### — Nov 22