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USW Welcomes Biden’s Call for U.S. Steel to Remain Domestically Owned and Operated (PITTSBURGH) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall today issued the following statement in response to President Joe Biden indicating that U.S. Steel (USS) should “remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated:” “The USW welcomes President Biden’s statement on the proposed USS-Nippon deal and shares his concerns over the sale’s long-term implications for our economic and national security. “Allowing one of our nation’s largest steel manufacturers to be purchased by a foreign-owned corporation leaves us vulnerable when it comes to meeting both our defense and critical infrastructure needs. “The president’s statements should end the debate: U.S. Steel must remain ‘domestically owned and operated.’ “President Biden told USW members he has our backs, and there’s no question that he meant it. We’re grateful for his unfailing support and his ongoing commitment to advancing the interests of working families and their communities.” 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. — Mar 14
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USW Files Section 301 Petition on Shipbuilding Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, [email protected] (PITTSBURGH) – The United Steelworkers union (USW) today led a coalition of labor organizations in filing a Section 301 petition, calling on the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to initiate an investigation of Chinese commercial shipbuilding. The People’s Republic of China (PRC), over the past two decades, enacted a comprehensive strategy to dominate global transportation and logistics networks, including employing an array of non-market policies. Meanwhile, U.S. shipbuilding capacity continues to diminish. “The United States once had nearly 30 major shipyards; now we’re down to just a handful,” said USW International President David McCall. “That correlates with more than 70,000 lost shipbuilding jobs, not to mention all the secondary jobs the industry supports.” A single commercial ship can require approximately 13,000 tons of structural steel, 60,000 gallons of paint, 130 miles of electrical cable, and many other products tens of thousands of USW members proudly produce. “The PRC is using commercial shipbuilding to dominate the full spectrum of global trade, choking out all competitors,” McCall said. “If we do not act quickly, we will soon be dependent on China not only for the products their vessels bring into our ports but also for the ships themselves.” McCall noted that in addition to the grave economic consequences of the PRC’s policies, the growing imbalance in shipbuilding also threatens U.S. national security. “China has surpassed the United States and now operates the world’s largest navy,” said McCall. “Rebuilding our Merchant Marine is not only essential to increasing our nation’s sealift capability, it will help shore up the critical supply chains our military and commercial shipbuilding industries share, making us safer and more resilient.” Other unions joining the USW in filing the trade petition include the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO. U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Bob Casey today sent a letter to the Biden administration in support of the trade petition, representing a growing coalition of policymakers fighting to revitalize the shipbuilding industry. “Labor unions and the Biden administration have worked together to establish a worker-centered trade policy and ramp up domestic manufacturing capacity through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act,” said McCall. “Reviving the commercial shipbuilding industry will enable America to expand those investments, ensure a steady supply of goods at home, and grow the middle class.” USTR Katherine Tai has 45 days to determine whether she will pursue an investigation of Chinese shipbuilding. The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in health care, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations. For more information: www.usw.org. — Mar 12
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USW on International Women’s Day: Our diversity is our strength Contact: Randie Pearson, [email protected], (412) 562-2295 (Pittsburgh, PA) – The USW International Union released the following statement in honor of International Women’s Day, March 8: “From our inception the USW valued inclusivity. Our union constitution begins: ‘To unite in one organization, regardless of creed, color or nationality, all workmen and working women eligible for membership.’ This was a key tenant of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC) founding principles that helped shape our union and still guides the work we do today. “Through organizing, educating, and legislative and political engagement, the Women of Steel program continues to forge a path of inclusivity for women workers across the United States, Canada, and beyond. Our activists are everyday people who lead committees, serve in local office, raise their families, and fight for their communities. “This diversity in background and experience gives us strength and empowers us to negotiate contracts that provide justice and fairness to workers. “The USW’s Women of Steel program is committed to continuing to mentor, educate, and activate our members to empower women and female-identifying workers, and uplift their achievements.” The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in health care, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations. — Mar 8
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USW Applauds Biden’s Agenda on Jobs, Economy Contact: Joe Smydo, [email protected], 412-562-2281 (Pittsburgh) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall released the following statement in advance of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address tonight: “President Biden delivered win after win for working people during his first three years in office, and USW members look forward to working with him as he continues his fight to grow the middle class and an economy for all. “Under President Biden’s leadership, America’s historic investments in infrastructure and manufacturing created a record 15 million jobs so far while also modernizing the nation and enhancing national security. “Hundreds of thousands of USW members across the country know the power of these investments firsthand. We’re negotiating stronger contracts, bargaining higher wages, producing more goods, and upgrading manufacturing facilities because of the Build America, Buy America provisions that President Biden inserted into legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. “Many more Americans will be empowered to build better lives in the coming years as President Biden continues to combine his focus on the economy with his commitment to labor rights, particularly workers’ right to organize for a voice on the job. President Biden has proven to be the most pro-worker president in history, and we’re confident he’s just getting started.” The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, mining, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service, public and health care sectors and higher education. For more information: www.usw.org. — Mar 7
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International Trade Commission Fails Weirton Steelworkers- USW Remains Committed to Fight for Level Playing Field Contact: Tony Montana – (412) 562-2592 or [email protected] PITTSBURGH — The United Steelworkers (USW) today issued the following statement from International President David McCall after Cleveland-Cliffs announced an indefinite idling of operations at its Weirton tin plate facility: “Weirton Steelworkers can compete with anyone on a level playing field, but the ITC’s recent negative determination continues to leave our markets vulnerable to foreign dumping. “The current market for tin mill products has already been decimated by over 50 percent penetration of illegally dumped foreign tinplate. Now, with the idling of tinplate production in Weirton, unfair trade is one step closer to choking out our domestic industry entirely. “The short-term thinking of American tinplate consumers, who sided with the foreign cheaters to oppose our petition, will eventually lead to long-term regrets. “It should be obvious that foreign suppliers are destroying our domestic supply chain so that American consumers of tin mill products become dependent on foreign producers and have no options when their subsidized and dumped products are no longer available at cheap prices. “The USW will work with Cleveland-Cliffs to provide as many options to our members as possible, as well as continue our fight against the unfair trade practices that continue to cost good, community-sustaining jobs and threaten our economy.” The USW (www.usw.org) represents 850,000 workers 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. — Feb 15
United Steelworkers Press Releases Feed
- USW Welcomes Biden’s Call for U.S. Steel to Remain Domestically Owned and Operated
- USW Files Section 301 Petition on Shipbuilding
- USW on International Women’s Day: Our diversity is our strength
- USW Applauds Biden’s Agenda on Jobs, Economy
- International Trade Commission Fails Weirton Steelworkers- USW Remains Committed to Fight for Level Playing Field