(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.
Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(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.
Contact: Randie Pearson, rpearson@usw.org, (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.
Contact: Joe Smydo, jsmydo@usw.org, 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.
Contact: Tony Montana – (412) 562-2592 or tmontana@usw.org
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.
Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, (412) 562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(PITTSBURGH) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall today issued the following statement as workers continue to fight to enforce their contracts with U.S. Steel and protect the domestic steel industry:
“Steel is vital to our national security and critical infrastructure, and USW members are proud to manufacture some of the highest quality products in the world.
“Unfortunately, the proposed sale agreement between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel puts our members’ and our nation’s interests in jeopardy.
“Today we received personal assurances that President Joe Biden has our backs. He’s always been a friend to the American worker and our union, and we’re grateful he’s taking an interest in this matter.
“It’s essential that we continue to safeguard our domestic steelmaking capacity, and we appreciate the president’s ongoing commitment to revitalizing our critical supply chains and rebuilding our nation’s economic strength.”
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.
Contact: Chelsey Engel, cengel@usw.org, 412-212-8173
(Pittsburgh) -- USW International President Dave McCall and Vice President of Human Affairs Kevin Mapp issued the following statement in honor of Black History Month:
“Black History Month is observed every February to recognize the many contributions Black Americans have made to our country’s culture and progress. But it is vital to remember that honoring Black history also requires fighting for a just future.
“Now, more than ever, the labor movement must be proactive in the battle against extremist attempts to thrust our country backward in time.
“We encourage USW activists to get involved in securing our democracy by joining voter outreach programs, volunteering at the polls, and educating our communities about issues impacting Black workers and families.
“We also invite all union members to attend this year’s USW Civil and Human Rights Conference, which will be held in Detroit, Mich., on June 9-12. We must all play our part in ensuring the survival of our values of equality, freedom, and dignity for all.”
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.
Contact: Ben Davis, 412-562-2501, bdavis@usw.org
(Pittsburgh) – The United Steelworkers union (USW) today congratulated the Independent Union of Workers of Goodyear Mexico (SITGM) in San Luis Potosí on their successful negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement that brings their members under the coverage of Mexico’s industry-wide contract (contrato ley).
The contract will significantly increase wages, benefits and job security for the workers, who had been illegally excluded from the industry-wide contract since the plant opened in 2018.
“Fair contracts and a strong, democratically elected labor movement in Mexico benefit workers across North America,” said USW Vice President Emil Ramirez, who leads USW bargaining with Goodyear. “This deal will help close the gap between USW members and their Mexican counterparts, slowing the race to the bottom on wages and working conditions that hurts us all.”
After the company-installed CTM union was caught on security cameras stealing a ballot box in a previous vote, Goodyear was forced to negotiate with the SITGM as a result of a complaint filed under the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This led to an election in August that the Independent Union won by a vote of 899-30.
“The USW thanks the members of Congress who supported Goodyear workers in Mexico over the past six years and in particular Sen. Sherrod Brown, who worked tirelessly on their behalf,” said USW Rubber and Plastics Industry Conference Chair Kevin Johnsen.
“We also appreciate the Biden administration’s hard work on this case, especially the leadership and staff of the United States Department of Labor and the Office of the United States Trade Representative, as well as the actions of Mexican authorities who contributed to a positive outcome.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers 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.
CONTACT: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(Wheeling, W.Va.) – Members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 152M this week ratified a 2-year collective bargaining agreement with Tecnocap that raises wages, increases pension contributions, creates safeguards for workers and provides other improvements.
The deal comes more than four years after the approximately 50 workers’ previous contract expired. In that time, Tecnocap, a manufacturer of metal closures, committed serious violations of federal labor law, such that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) this August went so far as to condemn the company as a repeat offender.
USW District 8 Director Larry Ray, who represents workers in West Virginia and three other nearby states, credited the win to the strength and solidarity of the members.
“It’s clear that Tecnocap had every intention of trying to break our resolve and force a deeply concessionary contract down our throats,” Ray said, “but we remained united, and ultimately we prevailed.”
Over the course of negotiations, the union was forced to file more than 50 unfair labor practice charges. Tecnocap’s illegal actions included unilaterally cutting employee health insurance and forcing employees to work 12-hour shifts.
“This battle was hard-fought,” said Ray, “but we beat back the company’s unreasonable demands and proved once again that we are most powerful when we stand together.”
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.
CONTACT: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(Pittsburgh) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall issued the following statement today after White House National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard said Nippon Steel’s bid to buy U.S. Steel deserves “serious scrutiny”:
“The USW welcomes Brainard’s statement and the administration’s assessment that the announced sale of U.S. Steel to Japanese-owned Nippon Steel deserves ’serious scrutiny’ to determine its larger implications for our national security and critical supply chains.
“Our union shares many of the concerns expressed in today’s White House statement, including how this deal may impact the future of domestic steel production.
“Brainard also rightly highlighted the continuing role that the steel industry and its workforce play in safeguarding our nation, and we agree that our nation’s security interests must remain paramount.
“U.S. Steel has made it clear, time and again, that its first and only priority is short-term financial gain for shareholders, even if this comes at the expense of workers, their communities and the nation’s lasting capacity to continue meeting its manufacturing needs.
“The USW appreciates that the White House is taking a larger view, demonstrating once again the president’s unwavering commitment to domestic workers and industries.”
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.
CONTACT: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(Pittsburgh) – The United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall today issued the following statement slamming an announced deal in which Japan’s Nippon Steel will purchase U.S. Steel:
“To say we’re disappointed in the announced deal between U.S. Steel and Nippon is an understatement, as it demonstrates the same greedy, shortsighted attitude that has guided U.S. Steel for far too long.
“We remained open throughout this process to working with U.S. Steel to keep this iconic American company domestically owned and operated, but instead it chose to push aside the concerns of its dedicated workforce and sell to a foreign-owned company.
“Neither U.S. Steel nor Nippon reached out to our union regarding the deal, which is in itself a violation of our partnership agreement that requires U.S. Steel to notify us of a change in control or business conditions.
“Based on this alone, the USW does not believe that Nippon understands the full breadth of the obligations of all our agreements, and we do not know whether it has the capacity to live up to our existing contract. This includes not just the day-to-day commitments of our labor agreement, but also significant obligations to fund pension and retiree insurance benefits that are the most extensive in the domestic steel industry.
“Our union intends to exercise the full measure of our agreements to ensure that whatever happens next with U.S. Steel, we protect the good, family-sustaining jobs we bargained. We also will strongly urge government regulators to carefully scrutinize this acquisition and determine if the proposed transaction serves the national security interests of the United States and benefits workers.
“No union has actively engaged in more acquisitions in its core industries than the USW, and rest assured, our union will hold management at U.S. Steel accountable to every letter of our collective bargaining and other existing agreements.”
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.
Contact: Chelsey Engel, cengel@usw.org, 412-212-8173
(Edison, N.J.) – Members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 4-200 today ratified a collective bargaining agreement with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick that secures industry-setting staffing standards to protect both workers and patients.
Local 4-200 President Judy Danella said that it was the solidarity of the union’s 1,700 nurses and the support of the community that led to this agreement that ends the four-month-long unfair labor practice strike.
“This contract would not have been possible if the nurses hadn’t stood together and demanded what our patients deserve,” said Danella. “This campaign has always been about safety and quality care, and we are ready to get back to work doing what we love.”
The agreement includes not just guidelines but enforcement mechanisms to help ensure the hospital maintains safe staffing levels, as well as an infrastructure to facilitate greater communication between front-line nurses and the hospital’s administration.
The hospital will also add an additional 70 registered nurse (RN) positions, effective May 1, 2024. These positions will be a mixture of full-time and part-time employees.
“We are particularly proud that this contract includes accountability and communication, which will ensure that staffing will remain a top priority moving forward,” said Danella.
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.
Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(PITTSBURGH) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall released the following statement today in response to the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party’s comprehensive economic report and its more than 100 policy recommendations:
“The USW welcomes today’s report and the Select Committee’s efforts to find bipartisan solutions to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ongoing economic aggression.
“USW members can compete against anyone on a level playing field, but too often they instead face the CCP’s illegal trade practices. Our union applauds the committee’s work to safeguard domestic industries, and in particular its acknowledgment that Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China negatively impacts American workers.
“The USW further welcomes the committee’s clear prioritization of common-sense enforcement tools like the Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0, as well as reforms to the Generalized System of Preferences and renewal for Section 421 of our nation’s trade code.
“As workers grapple with the consequences of unfair trade, Congress must restore their access to Trade Adjustment Assistance so they can gain new skills and quickly reenter the workforce. More than 84,000 workers are waiting for their TAA petitions to be heard since the program lapsed in 2022, and we also welcome its inclusion in this report.
“As the committee continues to confront the CCP, the USW urges caution on a number of fronts, including any potential amendments to Section 232 tariffs, which serve as a vital part of protecting our domestic industries.
“While it’s not possible for the USW to endorse all of the 150 policy recommendations in the report, our union thanks the committee for its work to hold the CCP accountable and protect American workers. We look forward to working with Congress to make many of these recommendations reality.”
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.
Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, jkamm@usw.org, 412-562-2444
(Edison, N.J.) – United Steelworkers Local 4-200 announced today that they reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick that raises wages, caps insurance costs and provides safe staffing ratios.
The deal covers more than 1,700 members who work as nurses throughout the hospital and who have been on strike against management’s unfair labor practices since Aug. 4.
Workers will now prepare to review and vote on the contract.
USW Local 4-200 President Judy Danella said nurses were grateful for the huge outpouring of community support they received and that they look forward to returning to their work caring for patients.
“Safe staffing is essential to both patient care and reducing burnout among health care workers,” said Danella. “This contract sets necessary staffing ratios so that we can spend more time with each of our patients and keep ourselves safe on the job.”
Danella credited the strength and solidarity of nurses with reaching the deal.
“This agreement was hard-fought, but our sacrifice ultimately paid off with a fair contract that addresses nurses’ most urgent concerns. The local bargaining committee unequivocally recommends ratification.”
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 health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.
Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(PITTSBURGH) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall released the following statement in response to the International Trade Commission’s (ITC) affirmative preliminary determination on dumped truck and bus tires from Thailand:
“USW members take immense pride in making high-quality truck and bus tires, but the recent spike in imports from Thailand, underwritten by Chinese investments, put both their jobs and the communities they support at risk.
“We’re gratified that the ITC in its preliminary determination affirmed our position and provided a path forward to protecting U.S. tiremakers from illegally dumped products.
“USW members are highly skilled, but they need rigorous enforcement of our nation’s trade laws. Today’s decision is a step in the right direction toward leveling the playing field.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in a wide array of industries, including workers at five facilities that produce truck and bus tires: Bridgestone’s plants in La Vergne and Morrison, Tenn., Goodyear’s facilities in Danville, Va., and Topeka, Kan., and Sumitomo’s plant in Buffalo, N.Y.
CONTACT: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(Pittsburgh) – The United Steelworkers union (USW) this week condemned U.S. Steel’s announcement that it would lay off up to 1,000 workers in Granite City, Ill.
“U.S. Steel’s decision to idle steelmaking at Granite City Works once again demonstrates its callous disregard for its dedicated workforce, who for generations have served as the backbone of the company’s success,” said USW International President David McCall.
“Our union consistently invites all our employers, including U.S. Steel, to fight alongside us to protect our domestic industries,” said McCall, “but rather than invest in the future, U.S. Steel instead keeps turning its back on its highly skilled union workforce and their communities.”
McCall noted that this trend also includes U.S. Steel’s choice to begin laying off hundreds of workers at UPI in Pittsburg, Ca., this year.
Within the past five years, U.S. Steel similarly abandoned its Great Lakes and Lone Star Steel operations, shut down coke batteries in Clairton, Pa., and reneged on its commitments to invest major capital expenditures in the Mon Valley. This is on top of the hundreds of jobs it eliminated when it shuttered operations in Lorain, Ohio in 2015.
“The company’s clumsy attempt earlier this year to pit workers against each other by blaming changes at Granite City on the autoworkers’ strike further demonstrates its cynical and opportunistic view of American labor,” said District 7 Director Mike Millsap.
“As we look to the future of the U.S. steel industry,” said Millsap, “the USW intends to draw on every resource we have available to ensure our members – in Granite City and across the country – are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
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.