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USW Calls on Trump to Reconsider Tariffs on Canada
Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, jkamm@usw.org, 412-562-2444
(Pittsburgh) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall issued the following statement today following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would institute 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada:
“The USW has long called for systemic reform of our broken trade system, but lashing out at key allies like Canada is not the way forward.
“Canada has proven itself time and again to be one of our strongest partners when it comes to national security, and our economies are deeply integrated.
“The key to eliminating unfair competition, confronting global overcapacity in crucial sectors, and stemming the flow of unfairly traded products making their way into North America is targeted tariffs on countries that violate our trade laws and greater coordination with our trusted allies – not sweeping actions that undermine crucial relationships.
“Approximately $1.3 trillion worth of goods cross the Canada-U.S. border annually, supporting 1.4 million American jobs and 2.3 million Canadian jobs. These tariffs don’t just hurt Canada. They threaten the stability of industries on both sides of the border.
“Workers and their communities are counting on their elected leaders to make strategic decisions that help confront bad trade actors like China while at the same time fostering domestic manufacturing capacity.
“Our union calls on President Trump to reverse course on Canadian tariffs so that we can focus on trade solutions that will serve working families for the long-term.”
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.
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USW on Black History Month: It Is Our Duty to Fight Injustice Everywhere
Contact: Chelsey Engel, (412) 212-8173, cengel@usw.org
(Pittsburgh) — The United Steelworkers (USW) union released the following statement in honor of Black History Month:
We enter Black History Month with a renewed urgency this year, as the fight for democracy faces new existential challenges.
The national theme selected, “African Americans and Labor,” serves as a stark reminder of how intertwined the challenges of advancing civil and workers’ rights remain.
“It is vital to our future to remember the past, including all of the incredible contributions Black Americans have made to improve working and social conditions here in the United States,” said USW Vice President of Human Affairs Kevin Mapp.
From Bayard Rustin, who organized the March on Washington, to Hattie Canty, who organized a 75-day strike of casino workers, it is clear that Black Americans are some of the most resilient and determined leaders in our communities.
This month, we uplift their legacies. We must also use this time to reflect on what each of us can do to protect and advance civil rights, such as building out our Civil and Human Rights Committees in our local unions and donating to mutual aid groups.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” It is our honor and our duty to embrace this principle across the labor movement.
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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.
USW, Partners Welcome USTR’S Comprehensive Indictment of PRC’s Unfair Maritime Trade Practices
Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, jkamm@usw.org, 412-562-2444
(Pittsburgh) – The United Steelworkers (USW) and its labor partners today welcomed the comprehensive report from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on its investigation on commercial shipbuilding and its findings that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) engaged in a broad range of tactics designed to dominate and control the maritime, shipbuilding and logistics sectors.
The USW last year led a coalition of labor organizations in filing a Section 301 petition, calling for the investigation. Partners included the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
The USTR’s report illustrates how the PRC decimated U.S. shipbuilding, maritime and logistics capabilities, contributing to the loss of thousands of jobs. These illegal trade practices, including subsidies, preferential sourcing policies and unfair labor practices, also significantly weakened the nation’s economic and military strength.
Under Section 301, a report identifying unreasonable, burdensome and/or restrictive practices can lead to the president implementing policies to address the harm. This decision will fall to the incoming administration. President Donald Trump has already indicated a willingness to hold the PRC accountable and has said that our maritime industries have “suffered tremendously.”
The original petitioners on the case have since been joined by other unions and groups in seeking to stand up to the PRC, put American workers and manufacturing first, and protect national security. The USTR’s report lays a firm and undeniable indictment, requiring a swift, decisive response.
“We’re thankful for the USTR’s comprehensive investigation, laying bare the deeply troubling impacts the PRC’s trade policies have on our members and their communities,” said USW International President David McCall. “By targeting global maritime, shipbuilding and logistics sectors, the Chinese Communist Party has systematically – and publicly – worked to dominate this vital sector, leaving us increasingly dependent on the PRC and its industries to meet our economic and national security needs. Now, we have the opportunity to turn the tide, create good, community-supporting jobs across the commercial shipbuilding supply chain and restore American maritime capacity and power.”
“As a shipbuilder by trade, I’ve seen firsthand how China’s unfair trade practices have decimated the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industry,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “It is well past time to take swift and bold action to restore U.S. shipbuilding to a position of strength. As the largest shipbuilding union, the IAM stands ready to work with all partners in this fight to protect our national security, reinvigorate this critical industry, and defend the dedicated and skilled American workers who build these vessels for our military, commercial industry and more.”
“The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers applauds this report from USTR and sincerely appreciates their diligence investigating the harmful and illegal practices of the People’s Republic of China as they attempt to dominate the global shipbuilding and maritime space,” said Timothy Simmons, President of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. “We agree with the Section 301 investigation’s conclusions: that China’s predatory actions in the logistics, maritime and shipbuilding sectors demonstrate a clear and unambiguous intent to dominate global markets to the detriment of American workers, employers, and our national security. We hope the incoming administration will build upon the clear findings of this report and implement strong remedies that level the playing field for American workers in the shipbuilding and maritime sector.”
“We must prioritize national defense and security by reducing our reliance on China for critical infrastructure. The Chinese Communist Party has systematically worked to dominate the maritime, shipbuilding, and logistics sectors, leaving us vulnerable and dependent on foreign industries to meet our nation’s needs,” said IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper. “We’re grateful to the USTR for its thorough investigation, which sheds light on the devastating impact of these unfair trade practices. Now is the time for bold action to rebuild America’s shipbuilding strength, create good, union jobs, and reinvigorate this critical industry.”
For further information on the case, see www.USAshipbuilding.com.
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.
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USW, Partners Welcome USTR’S Comprehensive Indictment of PCR’s Unfair Maritime Trade Practices
Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, jkamm@usw.org, 412-562-2444
(Pittsburgh) – The United Steelworkers (USW) and its labor partners today welcomed the comprehensive report from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on its investigation on commercial shipbuilding and its findings that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) engaged in a broad range of tactics designed to dominate and control the maritime, shipbuilding and logistics sectors.
The USW last year led a coalition of labor organizations in filing a Section 301 petition, calling for the investigation. Partners included the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
The USTR’s report illustrates how the PRC decimated U.S. shipbuilding, maritime and logistics capabilities, contributing to the loss of thousands of jobs. These illegal trade practices, including subsidies, preferential sourcing policies and unfair labor practices, also significantly weakened the nation’s economic and military strength.
Under Section 301, a report identifying unreasonable, burdensome and/or restrictive practices can lead to the president implementing policies to address the harm. This decision will fall to the incoming administration. President Donald Trump has already indicated a willingness to hold the PRC accountable and has said that our maritime industries have “suffered tremendously.”
The original petitioners on the case have since been joined by other unions and groups in seeking to stand up to the PRC, put American workers and manufacturing first, and protect national security. The USTR’s report lays a firm and undeniable indictment, requiring a swift, decisive response.
“We’re thankful for the USTR’s comprehensive investigation, laying bare the deeply troubling impacts the PRC’s trade policies have on our members and their communities,” said USW International President David McCall. “By targeting global maritime, shipbuilding and logistics sectors, the Chinese Communist Party has systematically – and publicly – worked to dominate this vital sector, leaving us increasingly dependent on the PRC and its industries to meet our economic and national security needs. Now, we have the opportunity to turn the tide, create good, community-supporting jobs across the commercial shipbuilding supply chain and restore American maritime capacity and power.”
“As a shipbuilder by trade, I’ve seen firsthand how China’s unfair trade practices have decimated the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industry,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “It is well past time to take swift and bold action to restore U.S. shipbuilding to a position of strength. As the largest shipbuilding union, the IAM stands ready to work with all partners in this fight to protect our national security, reinvigorate this critical industry, and defend the dedicated and skilled American workers who build these vessels for our military, commercial industry and more.”
“The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers applauds this report from USTR and sincerely appreciates their diligence investigating the harmful and illegal practices of the People’s Republic of China as they attempt to dominate the global shipbuilding and maritime space,” said Timothy Simmons, President of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. “We agree with the Section 301 investigation’s conclusions: that China’s predatory actions in the logistics, maritime and shipbuilding sectors demonstrate a clear and unambiguous intent to dominate global markets to the detriment of American workers, employers, and our national security. We hope the incoming administration will build upon the clear findings of this report and implement strong remedies that level the playing field for American workers in the shipbuilding and maritime sector.”
“We must prioritize national defense and security by reducing our reliance on China for critical infrastructure. The Chinese Communist Party has systematically worked to dominate the maritime, shipbuilding, and logistics sectors, leaving us vulnerable and dependent on foreign industries to meet our nation’s needs,” said IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper. “We’re grateful to the USTR for its thorough investigation, which sheds light on the devastating impact of these unfair trade practices. Now is the time for bold action to rebuild America’s shipbuilding strength, create good, union jobs, and reinvigorate this critical industry.”
For further information on the case, see www.USAshipbuilding.com.
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.
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USW Calls on Goodyear to Address Threat of Ortho-Toluidine
Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, jkamm@usw.org, 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.
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USW Commends Biden for Blocking USS-Nippon Sale
Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, (412) 562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(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.
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