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TORONTO - The United Steelworkers’ union (USW) is pleased that its efforts on both sides of the border have contributed to “Buy America” provisions that serve the interests of Canadian and American Steelworkers, says USW National Director Ken Neumann.

“Our fight is to ensure a level of fair trade that benefits workers in both Canada and the United States," said Neumann.

Neumann and USW International President Leo W. Gerard were both in Washington this week meeting with legislators to get changes made to this element of the US economic stimulus package.

“Our message on Capitol Hill has been to encourage members of the US steel caucus to approach their counterparts in Canada to discuss a coordinated approach," Neumann said.

“We believe such an approach would allow the North American industry to strengthen its ability to create and preserve good jobs in both countries. “While the focus this week has been in Washington, it is now the Canadian government that must develop a ‘Buy Canada’ provision in the recently passed Canadian budget”, Neumann said, adding that the advantage of an international union is the ability to use its influence on both sides of the border, especially in the case of North American industries that are fully integrated and where even ownership is without clear borders.

“As an international union, which has the capacity to represent the interests of Canadian workers in Washington, we believe that our voice has been heard,” Neumann said. “This is just a first step in building a true North American strategy to meet the challenges of a much broader financial crisis.”

The USW represents 250,000 Canadian men and women working in every sector of the economy.

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CONTACT: Ken Neumann 416.487.1571; 416.558.2510
Pat Van Horne (USW Communications) 416.544.5990; 416347.0217