The United Steelworkers (USW) union issued a statement today as dozens of steelworkers from around the country come to Washington D.C., to ask their legislators to press the Trump Administration to move forward on their Section 232 Investigation. In April, the administration initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Act of 1962. Despite reports that the investigation has been completed, the public release of the document has not occurred, and no relief has been provided.
“The time to act is now, and workers are telling politicians their first-hand stories of the devastation in the industry and the critical importance of providing relief,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard in the statement.
“The delay in acting is devastating,” added USW International Vice President Tom Conway. “Plants are closing, jobs are lost and communities are injured while politicians delay. Now there are rumors that action is being delayed so Congress can focus on tax reform. That's an insult to the hardworking men and women whose jobs depend on the industry. Steelworker jobs and our national security should not be held hostage to tax cuts for the rich and powerful as America's future is at risk.”
Steelworkers from multiple US-based steel-making operations in eight states, including plants in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Alabama, Minnesota, Kentucky and Michigan, are arranging visits with a bipartisan array of House and Senate offices this week to discuss the need to act quickly.