Pittsburgh (Dec. 23) – The United Steelworkers (USW) confirmed another preliminary determination announced late Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) following antidumping (AD) duty investigations for imports of corrosion-resistant steel products from China, India, Italy and Korea.

“The egregious high volume of illegal, corrosion-resistant steel dumped in the U.S. market from China was found to be so substantial that all producers in China will have a maximum duty rate that should take them out of our market,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard.

According to the government’s determination, the rate applied to China imports will be 255.80 percent. The remaining countries in the trade case investigation will have single-digit AD margins on corrosion-resistant imports: India (6.64-6.92 percent); Korea (2.99-3.51 percent); and Italy (0.0-3.11 percent). Taiwan received no antidumping margin whatsoever.

“We are gratified the whopping duty on China dumping will be another needed lesson for their job-stealing violations.” He added that this Commerce Dept. prelim finding is the second enforcement action in the past week against illegal imports of flat-rolled steel products that follows subsidy duties placed on cold-rolled imports from China,” Gerard said.

Other steel trade cases in the U.S. government pipeline are due for investigative outcomes on dumping for hot-rolled in January and cold-rolled in February.

“Multiple steel producing countries are taking more than one-third of our domestic market when American steelworkers should be sharing in an improved economy.” Gerard declared.

“Instead, thousands of USW-represented steelworkers and iron ore miners are currently on layoff status at American idled facilities. Tens of thousands more are threatened by the steel imports tonnage still flooding into the country – especially from China.”

The preliminary order announced late yesterday on coated steel products will result in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) being instructed to require cash deposits based on the duty rates for steel imports from China and three other countries.

Tom Conway, USW International Vice President, who is currently leading negotiations with several domestic steel companies, said: “The duty rates will also be applied retroactively by the USDOC, where ‘critical circumstance’ was found for certain exporters from China, Korea and Taiwan.”

The export violators will be required by U.S. Customs to impose provisional measures retroactively on steel flat products for up to 90 days prior to the effective date of the federal order.

Global overcapacity in steel and continued abuse of the system by foreign companies and their governments requires a major overhaul of U.S. trade policy and enforcement, said Conway.

“For decades, American workers have paid the price of failed trade policies and inconsistent enforcement of flawed trade agreements,” he added. “Congress and the administration need to take responsibility for changing the system that has cost more than a million manufacturing jobs and shuttered thousands of factories, mainly in industries that employ USW members.”

The USW represents some 35,000 workers who produce corrosion-resistant steel at facilities owned by U.S. Steel, ArcelorMittal and AK Steel, which are among the petitioners seeking relief. The U.S. trade case was filed in June.

Impacted U.S. Steel facilities include operations in Clairton, Pa., Fairfield, Ala., and Gary, Ind. ArcelorMittal production incudes operations in Cleveland, Ohio, East Chicago, Ind., and Weirton, W Va., while affected AK Steel plants include operations in Ashland, Ky. and Mansfield, Ohio.

Final determination orders for corrosion-resistant steel are due next May by the USDOC and in June from the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). Corrosion-resistant steel products are typically used in the manufacture of trucks, automobiles, appliances, agricultural equipment and industrial equipment.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.

# # #

Contacts: Wayne Ranick: (412) 562-2444, wranick@usw.org
              Gary Hubbard: (202) 256-8125, ghubbard@usw.org

Pittsburgh (Dec. 10) – The International Executive Board of the United Steelworkers (USW) today adopted a formal resolution urging rejection of the proposed 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal by both the U.S. Congress and the Canadian federal government.

USW President Leo W. Gerard said the resolution is intended for wide distribution to the union membership in both the U.S. and Canada, setting forth the basis of a fully-engaged TPP rejection campaign in each country. 

“The USW is the largest industrial union in North America representing 1.2 million active and retired members who would all be impacted by TPP,” Gerard said. “These workers with family-supportive jobs are employed in virtually every tradable sector: mining, metals, glass, rubber, paper and forestry, automotive and aerospace products.”

Upon release of the USW policy statement, he said it exposes the TPP as bad trade policy with no real enforcement, misplaced priorities and that working families had already suffered far too long from previous free trade deals.

The USW resolution highlighted the union had an earnest expectation workers’ needs in any trade deal would be met. “When negotiations on the Trans Pacific Partnership began, our union engaged with the negotiators and policymakers with the hope of forging a new approach.”

The statement said the USW sought a trade agreement for the U.S. and Canada “that would lift wages up, rather than pushing them down, one that would reduce our nations’ accumulated trade deficits that continue to mount, one that would promote domestic manufacturing and employment rather than more outsourcing and offshoring, one that would begin to reverse the widening gap of income inequality.”

Citing in detail issues ignored that hurt American and Canadian workers, the USW resolution found the TPP didn’t address currency manipulation, accepted overcapacity in global manufacturing, had insufficient rules for State-Owned Enterprises, provided weak rules of origin for autos and auto parts, plus showed a failure to ensure worker rights standards are implemented.

“The TPP fails to meet the promise that it would be a high-standards, 21^st Century trade agreement in the area of workers’ rights, representing not only a missed opportunity, but also limiting the ability of workers to share in the very prosperity that they will be working so hard to create for multinational firms through their labor.”  

It added, “TPP countries would be required to adopt and maintain laws to provide for a minimum wage, but that wage may be only pennies an hour to be acceptable under the TPP.”

Saying the USW provided comprehensive proposals during the TPP negotiations about how to improve the implementation, monitoring and enforcement of U.S. trade laws, the resolution declared: “The negotiators agreed to TPP trade rules that are far from sufficient, leaving the USW with little confidence that even those rules will be enforced.”

The resolution concluded:

“The TPP will only continue the failed trade policies of the past that have valued corporate profits, wherever obtained, over the interests of job and opportunity creation here at home. The USW will put every effort into defeating the TPP.”

The USW International Executive Board resolution rejecting the TPP can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

A detailed report by the statutorily-created U.S. Labor Advisory Committee (LAC) on the TPP that Gerard served on was also publicly released Dec. 4 by the 19-named representatives of working Americans. Among the LAC signatories were: AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, UAW President Dennis Williams, Machinists President R. Thomas Buffenbarger and James Hoffa, General President of the Teamsters.

The TPP countries are: United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

An op-ed by Gerard, Hoffa and Williams critical of the TPP following release of the LAC report was published in the Huffington Post as: It's Time to Take a Stand for Workers on TPP.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.  For more information: http://www.usw.org/.

# # #

American refinery jobs and our country’s security is at risk if the House of Representatives votes to lift the Crude Oil Export Ban on Friday. Call your Representative right now and tell them to put working people before corporate profit and keep the Crude Oil Export Ban.

Contact:  Gary Hubbard, 202-256-8125, ghubbard@usw.org

Pittsburgh (Oct. 5) – Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), issued the following statement as negotiations on the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP)are coming to closure.

“Since negotiations on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) started, the cleared advisors of the United Steelworkers (USW) have devoted substantial resources and time to working with the trade negotiators responsible for developing and advancing U.S. interests in the trade talks.  

“Because the USW is the largest industrial union in North America, we see the real-life effects of trade policy every day.  That is why we are paying close attention to the provisions that have the potential to harm the majority of our membership. 

“From what we know, the draft TPP threatens the future of production and employment.   It compromises the so-called 21^st century standards that were supposed to form the foundation for this agreement. It will deal a critical blow to workers and their standard of living in the United States. 

“Although the final text has not been made available and will contain some new bells and whistles; from what we have seen and know, at its core the hastily concluded TPP deal will simply continue today’s outdated, disastrous approach to trade.

“This TPP deal shouldn’t even be submitted to Congress and, if it is, it should be quickly rejected.

“You only have to look at the consistently dismal job numbers in manufacturing to understand what every manufacturing worker already knows. We have been on the losing end of trade deals. 

“Once again, it appears that misguided foreign policy and global corporate interests have trumped sound economics and the opportunity to get things right.  Our negotiators are trying to beat the clock to close a deal so they can rush it through Congress before next year’s elections. 

“TPP is sold as a way for the United States to write the rules of trade before China does.   In many areas, the agreement fails this objective and the language on rules of origin will put a smile on the faces of China’s leaders.   China didn’t get to write the rules in their favor because our American negotiators did it for them. 

“The rule of origin on autos governs how much of a vehicle’s content must be produced by the twelve TPP countries to get the preferential treatment the TPP will provide.   In this quickly concluded deal on rules of origin, Chinese-produced auto parts could account for more than a majority of a car’s parts and still get sweetheart treatment.  While China is not as yet a party to the twelve-nation TPP, the TPP is designed so that other countries can join.

“In many other areas critical to workers, U.S. negotiators refused to take the advice that was provided to them time and time again by the representatives of working people.   But while supporters tout the deal, those promises will fall on deaf ears.   Workers across this country have had to fight to get our trade rules enforced in the face of inadequate enforcement and constant cheating by our trading partners.  

“Even the best rules, which were not included in TPP, if unenforced, are essentially worthless.  How trade rules are implemented, how we monitor imports, obtain market access for our exports and how we enforce our rules are all critical to any deal’s success.

“So far, there has been no progress or willingness of the Administration to even discuss specific steps that could be taken.

“TPP may be the final blow to manufacturing in America.  Our producers and workers are under siege from other nations’ massive overproduction, foreign currency devaluation, our own lack of long-term infrastructure investment and the strong dollar. 

“Therefore, trade policy is not the only issue that determines what the economic prospects will be for working people. But, trade is the critical link to the world economy and global pressures are being felt in virtually every occupation and in every workplace.” 

# # #

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.  For more information: http://www.usw.org/.   #  #  #

Union workers at Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in Nitro plan to vote this week on a revised health insurance proposal. 

The Charleston Gazette-Mail (http://bit.ly/1jxPIFq) reports that during talks Tuesday with the United Steelworkers Local 14614-F9, casino management agreed to remove contract language that would have allowed future policy changes in the workers' health insurance … more

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia (September 30, 2015) — For the first time since overwhelmingly voting to form a union late last year, the United Steelworkers reached a labor agreement with Aleris Rolled Products located in Buckhannon, WV.

The five-year agreement, reached last week and ratified by the membership on Monday, Sept. 28, covers approximately 50 production and maintenance workers. It includes wage increases, an overtime procedure including advanced notice of assigned overtime, subcontracting language, and other improvements to working conditions according to United Steelworkers Staff Representative Heather Anderson who negotiated the contract, along with bargaining unit employees at Aleris.

"It gives the employees a seat at the table," Anderson says of the new contract. "I, along with USW District 8 Director Billy Thompson, am very happy to welcome these newest members into our Union, and are very pleased that we were able to reach an agreement with the Company.”

# # #

Lynne Hancock, USW Communications, (o) 412-562-2442; (c) 615-828-6169; lhancock@usw.org
Roy Houseman, USW Legislative office, (o) 202-778-3312; (c) 202-288-3573; rhouseman@usw.org

Pittsburgh—The United Steelworkers Union (USW) joins the majority of Americans who do not want Congress to lift the crude oil export ban and jeopardize America’s energy security, affordable gasoline prices and booming refining sector.

“In 1975 Congress passed the crude oil export ban because America’s dependence on the Mideast for crude oil allowed Saudi Arabia to hold oil supplies hostage in retaliation for the United States’ support of Israel in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard.

“Members of Congress want to place our country in that precarious position again by lifting the crude oil export ban. Exporting crude makes no sense when our country is not energy self-sufficient, importing 44 percent of the crude that is refined in the United States.

“As Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz stated in a House Energy and Power Subcommittee hearing, for every barrel of oil the U.S. would export, an additional barrel would have to be imported.

“Does Congress want the United States to be dependent on Mideast oil producers who have the power to deny oil supplies based on political whims?”

OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) strongly controls world oil prices by oversupplying or withdrawing oil supplies from the market. As a result of the crude oil export ban, U.S. refineries have access to domestic crude, which is cheaper than oil sourced overseas. This caused a loss of market share for OPEC nations like Saudi Arabia, which flooded the world market with oil in an attempt to lower oil prices and make it unprofitable for U.S. producers to drill for oil.

The oversupply of crude in the world market impacted the international, or Brent, crude oil price, and it is this price that determines the price of oil products like gasoline. U.S. consumers are enjoying the lowest price gasoline in years because of the crude oil export ban. If this ban is lifted, U.S. crude oil prices would be subject to the market actions of OPEC nations and world political, economic and weather events that cause the price of crude to soar and gasoline prices to rise.

Job loss in the U.S. refining sector and all the jobs dependent on it would result from the lifting of the crude oil export ban. The ban has allowed U.S. refineries to compete against foreign competitors with lower labor, environmental and safety standards. Lift the ban and the cost of crude oil rises for U.S. refineries, thrusting them into direct competition with refineries in China and India. The end result is the shutdown of refineries and loss of U.S. jobs.

“Our refineries in Philadelphia and Trainer, Pa., almost shut down in 2011 because they could not afford the oil sourced overseas and compete with oil product imports from foreign refineries that did not have to adhere to environmental standards, safety regulations and family-supporting wages and benefits,” said USW International Vice President Gary Beevers.

“The USW, along with business leaders and elected officials, saved those refineries because of the U.S. crude oil export ban. U.S. oil production grew, and these refineries could source this low-cost supply and compete internationally. As a result, over 36,000 direct and indirect jobs and $566 million in tax revenue were saved,” Beevers added.

The majority of Americans want U.S. crude oil to be used for U.S. refineries and not exported overseas. A Hart Research public opinion poll in December of 2014 revealed that a vast majority (82 percent) of voters, regardless of political affiliation, oppose allowing oil and gas companies to export more U.S. oil and gas to foreign nations. This result is bolstered by other polls.

“These polls also revealed that voters are unlikely to support representatives and senators for re-election if they lift the U.S. crude oil export ban,” Gerard said.

To date, more than 100,000 letters have been sent to Congress, urging representatives and senators to not lift the ban.

“The people have spoken, and now it is time for Congress to listen to their constituents,” Gerard said.

The USW is the largest private-sector union in North America, representing 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, energy, chemicals, transportation, health care, security, hotels, and municipal governments.

1. Gasoline prices will go up for Americans if the export ban is lifted.
   Lifting the crude oil export ban will raise crude prices to the global level, as a recent study found U.S. gasoline has been substantially discounted because of domestic crude oil being kept in America.
   
   

   via GIPHY 
   *http://crudecoalition.org/further-proof-exports-will-raise-prices-on-americans/  

2. Oil prices are significantly controlled by an international cartel called Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
   OPEC has used crude as an economic weapon. They started the oil embargo causing lines at gas stations in the 1970’s and when OPEC chose to maintain production levels of crude oil, prices fell by 60%. Lifting the crude oil export ban will put OPEC in the driver’s seat for U.S. oil security.

   via GIPHY
   *http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/data_graphs/330.htm 

3. The oil export ban is fostering U.S. investment in domestic manufacturing.
   Recent articles highlight that the U.S. chemical industry is investing $15 billion in new manufacturing facilities. Lifting the crude oil export ban threatens those jobs as companies search for low cost labor and environmental standards.
   
   

   via GIPHY 
   *http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-30/how-cheap-oil-is-fueling-a-surge-in-new-factories 

4. U.S. refinery jobs will be in jeopardy if the export ban is lifted.
   Refinery jobs with good union benefits would be sent overseas as crude oil goes to China and other countries where refineries don’t have the same pollution controls ours do.

   
   via GIPHY
   *http://www.usw.org/members/forms/crude-oil-export-ban

5. The U.S. will be more reliant of foreign crude oil.
   The U.S. is still not self-sufficient in oil production. Every barrel of oil we send overseas will mean another barrel of oil being brought in from overseas.
   
   

   via GIPHY
   *https://alliedprogress.org/research/fact-sheet-we-cant-afford-to-repeal-the-crude-oil-export-ban/ 

6. The fatality and injury rate in the US oil and gas industry is already unacceptably high – lifting the export ban will put more workers at risk unless safety regulations are improved.
   Between 2003 and 2013 almost 1,200 workers were killed on the job. Data is limited but during the past five years reported fatality rates in oil and gas extraction are five to seven times the national fatality rate.

   
   

   via GIPHY 
   *http://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Job-Safety/Death-on-the-Job-Report  

7. Lifting the crude oil export ban will increase carbon pollution and have an effect on climate change.
   Lifting the ban will result in more than 515 million metric tons of carbon pollution per year. That is the equivalent annual emissions of 108 million passenger cars.
   
   

   via GIPHY
   *https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2015/08/21/119756/the-environmental-impacts-of-exporting-more-american-crude-oil/ 

8. The companies that stand to benefit the most from lifting the crude oil export ban are large integrated oil companies who are already the most profitable in the world.
   Should we really give a break to companies whose total revenue in 2014 was $421.1 billion (Shell), $192.3 billion (Chevron) and $369.4 billion (Exxon)?
   
   

   via GIPHY 
   *http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/04/22/10-most-profitable-companies-in-oil.aspx  

9. The oil and gas extraction industry often buys cheap foreign made steel.
   When oil prices where highest the U.S. steel industry had to file a trade case on the steel pipe that goes into fracking wells because of dumped illegal imports.
   
   

   via GIPHY
   *http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/22/us-usa-trade-steel-idUSKBN0GM1HD20140822 

10. Lifting the crude oil export ban will put another 4,500 railcars per day on our already congested freight rail system.
    Farmers and manufacturers who rely on our national freight rail network will be left in the cold. For example, rail congestion cost North Dakota farmers more than $160 million last year.
    
    

    via GIPHY
    *http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/14/us-usa-farms-railroads-analysis-idUSBREA4D0QE20140514 

One of CLUWs “Spread the Word” campaign partners, HealthyWomen, will work with CLUW to compile the aggregate survey results and implement an action plan, which will be presented at the CLUW Convention in November.

The short survey (which is going out via “Survey Monkey”) is called Getting to Know You and Your Health Needs: Audience Survey for Women.  You can access it here.

As an incentive to fill out the survey, HealthyWomen will be holding a drawing for a $100 gift card that every woman completing the survey can enter to win.

IMPOSES PRELIMINARY TARIFFS TO RESTORE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- The United Steelworkers (USW) commended the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) for its preliminary dumping duty determinations against certain uncoated paper imports from China, Brazil, Portugal, Australia and Indonesia.

If confirmed by the process, tariffs will be imposed on imports of certain uncoated paper to offset the impact of the unfair advantage caused by the dumped products. The determination placed dumping margins on uncoated paper ranging to 193.30 percent. For Australia the rate is 40.65 percent; for Brazil, 33.09 percent to 42.42 percent; for China, 97.48 percent to 193.30 percent; for Indonesia, 0 percent to 51.75 percent; and for Portugal, 29.53 percent.

“The dumping margins will help offset unfair and predatory trade practices facing the industry,” said United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard. “Time after time, our competitors have targeted this sector and dumped and subsidized sales into our market. Since 2011, eight mills that manufacture this product have shut down as a result of dumped and subsidized imports. Some 2,500 jobs were lost. This has devastated working families and their communities.

“While these trade cases are vital to helping level the playing field, we also need new trade policies, actively enforced by the government, that do not require injury before relief is provided. Workers are sick and tired of Washington sitting on its hands while China and other countries cheat and target our market.”

As a result of the DOC’s actions, importers of the covered uncoated paper from the subject countries will be required to immediately post a bond or deposit cash in an amount equal to the announced margins pending final resolution of the cases later this year.

“Every exporter from every country will now be facing cash deposit requirements of about 30 percent to over 300 percent so we should see substantial relief in the market,” said USW International Vice President Jon Geenen.

The petitions cover all uncoated paper in sheets, including cut-size and folio, weighing between 40 and 150 gsm, and having a GE brightness level of 85 or higher.

The decision was a result of unfair trade cases filed by the USW and four companies on January 21, 2015 with the (DOC) and the U.S. International Trade Commission. They alleged that certain uncoated paper from the five countries had been dumped into the United States, resulting in injury to the domestic industry and its employees. The petitions also alleged that China and Indonesia subsidized the sale of these products and should be subject to countervailing duties. The four manufacturers are Domtar Corporation, Finch Paper, LLC, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) and P.H. Glatfelter Company.

The decision by the DOC supports the allegations in the petitions that claim that imports from these five countries were dumped. Dumping occurs when a foreign producer sells into the U.S. market for less than the price that a producer charges in its home market or when its U.S. prices are below the cost to make the product.

Today’s decision follows the Commerce Department’s determination on June 22, 2015 that Chinese and Indonesian coated paper producers benefitted from a variety of subsidies and the International Trade Commission’s earlier preliminary decision finding that the domestic industry had been materially injured by imports of the subject paper. Those two countries were the only ones where subsidies were alleged. Commerce found then that China is subsidizing their producers by 5.82 to 126.42 percent, and Indonesia is doing the same, at levels ranging from 43.19 to 131.12 percent.

“Our trade laws are designed to restore fair market conditions,” said Geenen. “China and other countries have been dumping products into our market to steal our jobs. We won’t tolerate unfair foreign trade practices that hurt our families and the businesses in our communities. We will never let up the fight for our members’ jobs. Today’s decisions validate our charges and ensure that our members, who work hard and play by the rules, will continue to earn a decent living.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.

# # #

The crowd included workers at ATI from locals in Leechburg, Brackenridge, Washington, Midland and Latrobe, Pa. A number of Boilermakers, Iron Workers, Healthcare Workers and Public Sector Workers were standing in solidarity with their brothers and sisters at ATI as well.

Prior to the march to ATI headquarters, USW locals and officers gathered in the courtyard outside USW headquarters, where the crowd heard from a number of speakers, including USW International Vice President Thomas Conway.

“If this company wants to fight, we’re going to show them an old school labor fight,” Conway said to the crowd, which was cheering and holding various signs showing solidarity. “If you’re going to pick a fight with a union, [USW is] the last union you should pick a fight with because we know how to do this.”

For the Steelworkers at ATI, a fair contract is more than just fairness for the employees themselves, but for their families. ATI has proposed a contract that hikes up the premiums of the workers’ insurance, causing potential financial burden, especially for families with children or any individuals who have been diagnosed with illness, disease or disorder.

“I’m not going to be intimidated,” Karl Brendle, member of Local 1138 announced to his brothers and sisters. “It is time that ATI chooses workers and families over corporate greed.”

Hundreds of Steelworkers then took to the streets, marching to ATI Headquarters in PPG Place. On the march along Boulevard of the Allies, a number of supporters were taking pictures and cheering in solidarity. Several local news stations and newspaper reporters were covering the rally, where chants of “What do we want? A fair contract! When do we want it? Now!,” “Stand up! Fight back!,” and “We are ONE!” were shouted by the Steelworkers.

The Steelworkers even saw solidarity from a bus driver who was waiting for the crowd to pass at the intersection of Boulevard of the Allies and Stanwix Street, as she honked several times and waved from the driver’s seat.

Louis A. Bonnoni, President of Local 1138 – 3 & 4 took an unpaid day off to support the Steelworkers battling for a fair contract with ATI, even though he works for Akers National Roll Company in Avonmore, Pa.

“This [rally] means the world to me. Unions help people have fairer jobs, support and healthcare,” Bonnoni said. “USW has taught me to grow in solidarity and support other unions.”

By Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio)

Once again producers and workers making passenger vehicle and light truck tires in America are in danger.  China has targeted the market with millions of dumped and subsidized tire imports that are killing jobs and reducing wages.  They undermine the principles of free trade and free enterprise by ignoring the rules that they promised to uphold.  It’s time for our government to say: enough is enough.

Recently we asked the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to recognize the injury that the industry and its workers have experienced, along with the injury inflicted on the communities where they work and live.  Shortly thereafter, the U.S. Department of Commerce reaffirmed its view that Chinese tire makers have been dumping and subsidizing sales into our market, with rates ranging from 30 to 169 percent.  Commerce, after a careful investigation of the facts, actually increased the preliminary amount of subsidies and dumping that they had calculated shortly after the cases were filed.  Still, China has decided to build up the size and scope of its industry and ship its unfairly-priced tires here to keep its companies producing and workers employed … more

Look below the picture to see the answers.

1. Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil, made by Local Union 155 in District 8.

2. Vanity Fair napkins, made by many Steelworker locals across the U.S. who work for Georgia-Pacific.

3. Chinet paper plates, made by many Steelworker locals across the U.S. who work for Huhtamaki.

4. Morton Salt, made by Local Union 12606 in District 11.

5. Pyrex, made by Local Union 1304 in District 4.

6. Cucto knife, made by Local Union 5429 in District 4.

7. Solo Cup, made by Local Union 2-169 in District 2.

8. Corelle plate, made by Local Union 1304 in District 4.

*Bonus points to those who also noticed the Chinet cups in the upper left corner, made by Steelworker locals across the U.S. who work for Huhtamaki.

“Statistically speaking, the Ravenswood plant is one of the safest places you can be. However, we can never eliminate every hazard and the accidents we do have often are very serious,” Constellium CEO Buddy Stemple said.

“Looking for Trouble is designed to be one component of our EHS program where we identify, contain and correct hazards in the workplace. It is an opportunity for everyone to participate in making this a safer place to work.”

The first two days spent at Constellium consisted of a walk-through audit of the entire aluminum facility, where union and management officials noted health and safety hazards and apparent system failures. The group also connected after the tour in order to review current processes and procedures such as the current Lock-Out/Tag-Out program. On May 20, the International Union representatives provided a real-time response survey for the local union and management at Constellium, in order to gather anonymous data that outline aspects of the USW program.

The information collected from this survey was then compiled to aid in reviewing where the local union and company management have determined are areas to consider revising and working on to better eliminate hazards.

USW Local Union 5668 Safety Chair Mark Lynch shared that over the years, members have gone through numerous catastrophic injuries, amputations and even fatalities. A devastating fatality occurred in August of 2013.

“We cannot continue down this path,” Lynch said. “Due to new management in 2014, there have been positive changes. The change that I’ve seen here regarding safety and health in the last year is very promising.”

But Lynch and the rest of Local 5668 representatives believe that true change will only take place when these positive ideas are implemented and meet the employees on the plant floor.

This past March, local union and company members together attended the 2015 USW Health, Safety and Environment Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa., where Looking for Trouble was introduced to conference-goers during a panel session. Lynch explained that the conference and attendance was encouraging to all considering the history at Ravenswood.

“The company has agreed to accept the Steelworkers’ new safety and health program called Looking for Trouble,” Lynch said. “As long as the company is willing to work with the Steelworkers’ safety program, we will continue the relationship and eliminate injury.”

After the labor-management work at Constellium in May, USW Tony Mazzocchi Center Program Administrator John Scardella and USW Goodyear Safety and Health Coordinator Mike Weibel, together worked on drafting a report which listed recommendations to help the joint health and safety committee members in taking the next steps to improve worker safety. The report was directed to company management and local union members at Constellium.

“I am very pleased the USW has chosen us for implementation and development of the Looking for Trouble program,” Constellium Director of EHS and Security Tom Sloan said.

“It’s exciting to think that we will be working together to develop a program that will not only benefit our employees, but potentially be shared and used to protect other people across North America. I have every confidence that working together, toward the same objective, we will be successful.”

Local Union 5668 met on June 9, 2015 to begin reviewing and discussing recommended fixes, changes and updates to programs and procedures regarding health and safety.

“Considering the conversations that have taken place over the past year I anticipate that we will continue to work together for the safety of our members,” Lynch said.

Click here to download the application.

Responsibilities include:

• Each elected member will serve a one-year term.
• YWAC requires a significant, regular, and ongoing commitment, including monthly phone calls and an in-person meeting twice a year.
• Foster and develop young worker networks across the country at the national, state and local level.
• Assist in mentoring and leadership training for young workers and AFL-CIO Young Worker Groups.
• Advise the AFL-CIO on national young worker program development and provide guidance to the State Fed/CLC Advisory Committee on youth engagement.
• Attend and participate in YWAC meetings twice a year and monthly teleconference calls.
• Serve on subcommittees as requested by the Secretary-Treasurer, or as determined by the YWAC itself.

Nominees must be members of a nationally affiliated AFL-CIO union or Working America and meet the following basic requirements:

• Candidates should have experience in young worker outreach, programming, or activism within their union, community, or organization. (Experience will vary.)
• Candidates should have demonstrated leadership in some form.
• YWAC representatives should be 35 or under at the time of election.
• Travel costs to YWAC meetings, the AFL-CIO NextUp Summit, and the Quadrennial Convention will be covered by the elected member’s State Fed, CLC, or affiliate.

Click here for more information on how to apply and where to send your application.

PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the union fully supports antidumping and countervailing duty petitions filed concurrently with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) by six U.S. steelmakers.

The petitions detail how a flood of subsidized and unfairly traded corrosion-resistant steel imports from China, India, Italy, South Korea and Taiwan has damaged the domestic industry by undercutting the prices of U.S. producers over the past three years.

USW International President Leo W. Gerard called on the Commerce Department and USITC to act swiftly and decisively in defense of American workers whose jobs are unfairly threatened as a result of the illegal tactics employed by our trade partners.

“By any metric, USW members are the most productive and efficient steelmaking workforce on the planet,” Gerard said. “We cannot allow these family supporting, community sustaining jobs to disappear because our competitors continue unfairly dumping their subsidized products on our shores.”

The USW represents some 35,000 workers who produce corrosion-resistant steel at facilities owned by U.S. Steel, ArcelorMittal and AK Steel, which are among the petitioners seeking relief.

Impacted U.S. Steel facilities include operations in Clairton, Pa., Fairfield Ala., and Gary Ind. ArcelorMittal production includes operations in Cleveland, Ohio, East Chicago, Ind., and Weirton, W. Va., while affected AK Steel plants include operations in Ashland, Ky. and Mansfield, Ohio.

Global overcapacity in steel and continued abuse of the system by foreign companies and their governments requires a major overhaul of U.S. trade policy and enforcement said USW International Vice President and Basic Steel Industry Conference Secretary Tom Conway.

“For decades, American workers have paid the price of failed trade policies and inconsistent enforcement of flawed trade agreements,” Conway said. “Congress and the administration need to take responsibility for changing the system that has cost more than a million manufacturing jobs and shuttered thousands of factories, mainly in industries that employ USW members.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.  For more information: http://www.usw.org/.

PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers (USW) today disputed allegations of picket line misconduct made by Century Aluminum (NASDAQ:CENQ), which locked out the 565 members of Local 9423 from their jobs at the company's Hawesville, Ky. smelter on May 12, 2015. The union further repeated its call for Century to end the lockout and reinstate the USW workforce to their rightful jobs while negotiations for a new labor agreement proceed.

The USW first learned of the company's purported problems with picketers at the same time Century notified news outlets via an email, which also included the completely false claim that union workers threatened to strike prior to the company carrying out its plan to enforce a lockout.

The union will work with law enforcement and the community to maintain orderly and lawful pickets with foremost attention to the safety of locked out workers and the public. Local 9423 is conducting regularly scheduled monthly meetings throughout the day on Thursday, where the union will review the its picket line code of conduct with members, in addition to other items on the agenda, including the availability of “catastrophic” medical insurance coverage available to locked-out workers.

In its message, Century also objects to locked-out union members bringing their children to the picket line. Although management may prefer to pretend otherwise, the company unilaterally has chosen to give their parents' jobs to temporary replacements in an effort to starve their families into accepting a contract the majority of workers democratically voted to reject four times.

The USW represents 850,000 men and women 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 public sector and service occupations.

# # #

Washington (May 12) -- Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW) released the following statement today after the U.S. Senate failed to invoke a procedural legislative maneuver called cloture to grant President Obama proposed fast track trade negotiating authority.

“American working families are tired of Washington politicians telling them what’s economically best. We are all living today’s reality of trade policies that have accelerated offshoring and outsourcing of good jobs. Working Americans don’t want their elected leaders using a rubber stamp for a trade deal that is hidden behind a veil of secrecy.”

Republican Senate Majority Leader McConnell invoked cloture to limit debate on the fast track bill, prohibiting important trade measures sought by Democratic leaders from being included in any Senate-passed bill. The Republican majority tactic to cut off a full debate on measures that improved U.S. trade laws such as renewing Trade Adjustment Assistance and limiting currency manipulation failed to get the required 60 votes.

The USW national Rapid Response Network of local union activists participated in multiple actions with key Members of Congress that involved demonstration events, dial-in calls and postcard deliveries to urge opposition to the fast track bill. Last month, the USW sponsored a ‘No Fast Track’ rally and lobby day of 1,200 coalition supporters that included the voices on stage of U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Al Franken (D-MN).

For USW resources on why the Hatch-Wyden Fast Track (S.995) bill is wrong: CLICK HERE.

###

Hawesville, Ky. – The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that approximately 560 members of Local 9423 were locked out of their jobs this morning by Century Aluminum (NASDAQ:CENQ) management after voting on Monday to reject the company’s latest “last, best and final” contract proposal.

USW District 8 Director Billy Thompson called on the company to abandon its strategy to bully union workers into accepting management’s demands and negotiate in good faith for a fair contract at the smelter.

“Century must be made accountable for its decision to hold our jobs, families and community hostage over issues that should be resolved through collective bargaining,” Thompson said. “Management needs to end this lockout immediately, return these workers to their jobs and resolve our differences at the table.”

Century’s largest shareholder, Glencore International Plc, also owns Sherwin Alumina, which locked out 450 members of USW Local 235A in Corpus Christi, Texas. Last week, Steelworkers from Texas and allies from the international labor community demanded accountability from Glencore executives at the global commodities giant’s annual meeting in Zug, Switzerland.

Glencore has been accused of launching anti-union campaigns against mine workers in South Africa and Columbia, subjecting workers at Peru’s Antamina mine to regular health and safety violations and refusing to re-hire union workers at Australia’s Collinsville mine, along with a growing list of other questionable business practices.

The USW represents 850,000 men and women 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 public sector and service occupations.

###

In a ceremony in the lobby of the USW International Headquarters, fellow union members read aloud the names of the 39 USW workers who lost their lives in the past year. As each worker’s name was read, members rang a bell and extinguished a candle.

Guest speakers included International Vice-President at Large Carol Landry and International Vice-President of Administration Tom Conway.

Click here for the names of workers honored today