Steelworkers Union Seeks Injunction against Stability Act

Implementation Will Cause Immediate and Irreparable Harm

For more information contact: Dan Flippo (USW) – 205-951-1212

PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers (USW) today announced that the union has formally requested the District Court of the Virgin Islands to halt the territorial government’s implementation of the so-called “Economic Stability Act of 2011,” which passed the territory’s unicameral legislature earlier this year before a July 7 amendment.

Complaint No: 11-CV-76, filed Tues., July 19, 2011, specifically names territorial Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr.; territorial Finance Commissioner Angel Dawson; and territorial Director of Management and Budget Debra Gottlieb.

USW Staff Rep. Randy Allen said that the territorial government implementing the Stability Act would constitute Breach of Contract, Breach of the Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing and would cost each of the union’s members thousands of dollars in lost income, setting wage rates back ten years.

Gerard Jackson, also USW staff, said that the members of USW Locals 8248, 8249, 8677, 9488 and 9489 stood to lose from 8% up to 18% of their compensation annually. He said that the union has been forced to take this civil action as an attempt to prevent immediate, catastrophic and irreparable harm to USW members and their families.

The USW represents about 1.2 million active and retired members in the United States and Canada who are employed in a wide variety of industries and sectors, ranging from mining and minerals to the steel, rubber and paper industries and the service and public sectors.

# # #

 

By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.

Want to Learn More?

See how the USW is making a real difference in our communities and our workplaces.