<html> <head> <meta HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> <meta NAME="GENERATOR" CONTENT="Microsoft FrontPage 3.0"> <title>Message From Pittsburgh October 29, 1998</title> <meta NAME="Template" CONTENT="C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\html.dot"> </head> <body LINK="#0000ff" VLINK="#800080" BGCOLOR="#ffffff"> UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA Five Gateway Center Pittsburgh PA 15222 October 29, 1998 To: All Steelworkers From: George Becker Subject: A Message From Pittsburgh ****************************************************************************** Steel Industry. Steel imports have now reached crisis proportions. In the month of July, Japan, Russia and Brazil shipped nearly three-quarters of a million tons of hot-rolled steel to the U.S., accounting for 28% of the domestic hot rolled market for that month. Overall steel imports for July were 4 million tons. On an annualized basis thats 48 million tons, an astounding figure when you realize that domestic steel shipments are at the 106 million ton level. So July shipments annualized are nearly ½ of domestic steel shipments August figures are now in and they are even worse. Steel imports for August reached 4.4 million tons or 53 million tons on an annual basis. Chicagos Acme Steel has filed a bankruptcy petition. Other bankruptcies are rumored. We have continued to press for action from the administration, but none has occurred yet. Steel Crisis in Canada. According to our Canadian National Director Lawrence McBrearty from 1997 to 1998 steel imports into Canada were up 54% from Russia, 82% from Japan and 984% from Korea. Steel prices in Canada have dropped dramatically. The Canadian Directors have been meeting with the Minister of Finance and Revenue who take care of trade complaints in an attempt to get the Canadian government to take meaningful action to counteract this crisis. Steel Imports. Our campaign to stop the surge of steel imports has led to unprecedented developments in the House of Representatives right before adjournment. A bipartisan Resolution supported by 121 members of the House was introduced as a privileged motion by Congressman Viskloski of Indiana. It called on the President to take strong action including the imposition of quantitative restraints on steel imports from countries which were dumping their steel. The motion was deflected on a straight party line vote with all Democrats voting for it. Then some Republicans from steel districts pressured their leadership to bring the original resolution back for a vote on the merits. Instead, the Ways and Means Committee headed by Bill Archer of Texas reported out a significantly weakend version of the original resolution which in essence simply called for the enforcement of the countrys trade laws. That resolution was voted down 249-153 with 62 Republicans joining the Democrats in defeating the Republican leadership. In the meantime, Democratic Congressman Traficant of Ohio introduced an even stronger anti-steel dumping resolution. By Friday the pressure had built to the point where the House Republican leadership was forced to bring the Traficant resolution up for a vote. It then passed by an overwhelming 345-44 with all voting Democrats recorded in favor and 150 Republicans in favor as well. While the Senate is adjourning without addressing the issue, it is hoped that the strong showing in the House will provide additional incentive for the White House to take strong action. CF&I. Earlier this month 12 wives, daughters and sisters of CF&I workers strapped their arms around marble pillars inside the Portland, OR headquarters of Oregon Steel Mills, owner of CF&I. The demonstration was a dramatic show of support for their husbands, fathers and brothers as the complaint against the unfair labor practices of CF&I moves through the NLRB processes. Gephardt on Steel Imports. House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt last week urged the Administration to act in the strongest possible way against the surge of foreign imports, including temporary quantitative restrictions on imports. Thats our position as well. CF&I. Local 509 of the Iron Workers union in Los Angeles is withdrawing $86 million from Wells Fargo Bank in protest for the banks financing of Oregon Steels war on CF&I workers. That brings the withdrawals from Oregon Steel to nearly $250 million. Who said this? "Before Congress adjourned, populist Democrat James A. Traficant introduced a resolution demanding a years cutoff of steel imports from any country caught violating U.S. anti-dumping laws. Republicans offered a milk-and-water substitute, but it got only 153 votes, all Republican. By 345-44, Traficants resolution then rocketed through. Yet all 44 no votes were cast by Republicans. Can the party not see the handwriting on the wall? The GOP had best get aboard and steer this train, or it will be run over by it, as it was on fast track." Was it John Sweeney?, David Bonior? Would you believe Patrick Buchanan! <a href="index.html">Return to Message from Pittsburgh Directory</a> <a href="../index.htm" target="_top">HOME</a> | <a target="_top" href="../frameset_organize.html">ORGANIZE</a> | <a href="../frameset_news.html" target="_top">NEWS</a> | <a href="../frameset_Services.html" target="_top">SERVICES</a> | <a href="../frameset_map.html" target="_top">MAP</a> | <a href="../frameset_rapid.html" target="_top">RAPID RESPONSE</a> | <a href="../frameset_help.html" target="_top">HELP</a> | <a href="../frameset_feedback.html" target="_top">FEEDBACK</a>   </body> </html>