<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 January 19, 1999</title> <meta NAME="Template" CONTENT="C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\html.dot"> </head> <body LINK="#0000ff" VLINK="#800080"> UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA Five Gateway Center Pittsburgh PA 15222 January 19, 1999 To: All Steelworkers From: George Becker Subject: A Message From Pittsburgh ****************************************************************************** President Clintons Report To Congress on Steel. On January 7, President Clinton issued a report to Congress on the surge in steel imports and what he is doing and plans to do about it. The report is very disappointing for while it recognizes that there is a serious problem it does not outline any new initiative other than a proposal that Congress pass $300 million in tax breaks for the steel companies and provide heightened attention to the processing of trade adjustment cases. The President did indicate that the Japanese had represented that they would reduce steel imports in 1999 to the level before 1997 and that he intended to hold the Japanese to that. Unfortunately, however, the Japanese have responded by vehemently denying any undertaking to do so. Humanity Fund. Canadian members of USWA through the Humanity Fund donated $94,250 during 1998 to 40 community goups to fight hunger. The donations went to food banks and anti-hunger activists across Canada. The Humanity Fund was created over 12 years ago and continues to be built by local unions that negotiate voluntary penny-an-hour deductions into their contracts. Almost 70,000 Steelworkers in over 500 workplaces participate in the Humanity Fund. Health Insurance Coverage. During the 1990s the percentage of Americans without health insurance has increased -- from one in seven (13.6%) to one in six (16%). The groups most affected have been young adults (age 18-39), blacks and hispanics. In the first part of the decade the greatest increase was among low income families, but since 1994 middle income families have also suffered by the growth in the number without health insurance. Settlement at MSI. On January 18, workers at Magnetic Specialty, Inc. in Marietta, OH began returning to work following ratification of a contract that brought to an end a four year struggle for recognition. In August 1995 MSI workers voted by a two to one margin to be represented by USWA. The company challenged the election victory and workers later struck. Their struggle drew strong support from workers throughout the Midwest. The new contract calls for wage increases of $1.30 per hour for all employees over its term, family healtlh care coverage and improved pensions, vacations, holidays and sick days as well as union shop and the reinstatement of 16 workers who were discharged during the strike. NAFTA Lawsuit. Following the filing of our lawsuit challenging the legality of NAFTA, the U.S. filed a Motion to Dismiss arguing that we did not have standing to bring the lawsuit and that the matter was not appropriate for review by the Federal Courts. The Federal District Court in Birmingham AL heard oral arguments on the Governments Motion on January 15 and has decided to proceed, asking both parties to submit briefs on the merits of our lawsuit. We contend that NAFTA is a treaty and must be ratified by a 2/3 vote of the Senate. A tentative hearing is scheduled for May 17. Copies of the court filings are available here on our website. Public Opinion on Trade. A recent poll conducted for the Wall Street Journal and NBC News indicates that 58% think that foreign trade has been bad for the U.S. economy because cheap imports have cost jobs while only 32% feel it has been good for the U.S. Two-thirds of blue collar workers and union households and 56% of Republicans think it is bad. <hr> <a href="index.html">Return to Message from Pittsburgh Directory</a> <a href="../default2.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>