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6 June, 2001USWA COMMENDS BUSH ADMINISTRATION FOR INITIATING SECTION 201 FOR STEEL, PLUS OTHER TRADE ACTIONS ANNOUNCED ON JUNE 5, 2001
PITTSBURGH,USA: United Steelworkers of America (USWA) President Leo Gerard today applauded the Bush Administration's announcement that it would seek relief from illegal dumping of foreign steel by invoking Presidential action under Section 201 of the U.S Trade laws.
"When we met with Bush Cabinet members last Friday," Gerard said, "local leaders of our Union made it powerfully clear that failure to act to stop the flood of illegal trade in steel would result in devastation to hundreds of thousands of steelworkers, steelworker retirees and steel communities. We urge the Administration to file its Section 201 action immediately, to make it comprehensive, and to seek emergency interim relief."
"Today's progress," Gerard said, "is the result of unprecedented activism by steelworkers throughout this country who have written more than half a million letters to Washington urging action to cope with the steel crisis. We will continue our work to ensure a comprehensive solution to save this vital American industry."
Gerard said that a comprehensive Section 201 would need to cover a broad range of product lines, including semi-finished steel, iron ore and coke production.
"We're committed to continue working with the Administration and other allies to ensure a comprehensive 201," Gerard said , "but that alone will not address the threat of hundreds of thousands of retirees losing their health insurance or the industry's need for investment capital."
The USWA said it was also willing to work with the Administration on its plan to conduct multi-lateral negotiations to reduce the global overcapacity of steel, but cautioned that it would continue to urge that U.S. capacity be maintained. Currently, U.S. steel producers can only supply 80% of domestic demand, even when operating at 100% of capacity.
"When we met with Bush Cabinet members last Friday," Gerard said, "local leaders of our Union made it powerfully clear that failure to act to stop the flood of illegal trade in steel would result in devastation to hundreds of thousands of steelworkers, steelworker retirees and steel communities. We urge the Administration to file its Section 201 action immediately, to make it comprehensive, and to seek emergency interim relief."
"Today's progress," Gerard said, "is the result of unprecedented activism by steelworkers throughout this country who have written more than half a million letters to Washington urging action to cope with the steel crisis. We will continue our work to ensure a comprehensive solution to save this vital American industry."
Gerard said that a comprehensive Section 201 would need to cover a broad range of product lines, including semi-finished steel, iron ore and coke production.
"We're committed to continue working with the Administration and other allies to ensure a comprehensive 201," Gerard said , "but that alone will not address the threat of hundreds of thousands of retirees losing their health insurance or the industry's need for investment capital."
The USWA said it was also willing to work with the Administration on its plan to conduct multi-lateral negotiations to reduce the global overcapacity of steel, but cautioned that it would continue to urge that U.S. capacity be maintained. Currently, U.S. steel producers can only supply 80% of domestic demand, even when operating at 100% of capacity.