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H e a d l i n
e s . . .
March 5, 2001 |
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ISU BACKS VOINOVICH ON PUSH FOR SECTION
201
Weirton, W.Va. -- Recent action taken by U.S. Sen. George
Voinovich, R-Ohio, may indicate that more federal lawmakers are realizing
the seriousness of the import crisis, according to Independent
Steelworkers Union President Mark
Glyptis.
Voinovich had been criticized
during his term as Ohio governor for not taking a more vocal stance in
trying to protect the domestic industry. Many steelworkers were surprised
to learn that the senator is now seeking assistance from President Bush in
halting the demise of the U.S. steel
industry.
"America's steel industry
produces the highest quality product of its kind in the world. On a level
playing field, the men and women of the steel industry beat any competitor
anywhere, hands down," said Voinovich. "When steel is sold below the cost
of making it, however, the playing field isn't level and people
suffer."
Voinovich had asked the Bush
administration last month to consider special relief for Ohiošs steel
companies which have been harmed by low-priced imports. He followed his
request with a letter which was sent to President Bush on Friday. The
letter was also signed by 13 of his colleagues, including Senators Jay
Rockefeller and Robert Byrd, both
D-W.Va.
"Steel producers from across the
country have filed for bankruptcy protection in recent months and may face
liquidation," he told Bush. "The closure of these firms would deal a
crippling blow to tens of thousands of workers, as well as retirees in
steel-dependent communities
nationwide."
The senators have asked the
president to petition the International Trade Commission to seek temporary
relief, as outlined in Section 201 of the Fair Trade Act of 1974, and to
impose necessary remedial
measures.
Glyptis and members of
the ISU Executive Committee tried to convince the Clinton administration
to invoke Section 201, but the request was never granted. The entire
industry has now assumed a wait-and-see attitude in terms of whether
President Bush will use this provision of the 1974 Trade Act to address
the import crisis.
"I believe more
lawmakers will join Voinovich in his effort to get a 201 action approved,"
said Glyptis. "Sen. Voinovich's support is certainly welcome and it's
quite appropriate in view of Ohio as a top steel-producing
state."
Ohio is home to the
Cleveland-based LTV, the country's third largest steelmaker, which has
filed for bankruptcy. Closer to home, Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. is
currently under Chapter 11
bankruptcy.
"We've been fighting for a
201 action for a long time and I hope we will achieve such a remedy with
this administration," added Glyptis. "The viability of the industry is
definitely going to suffer, unless we achieve a comprehensive solution
that would address imports of all steel products coming from all
countries."
Voinovich described to Bush
how much effort and money the steel industry has invested to remain
competitive. He also emphasized that steelmakers have much more work to
do, but they can't achieve their goals while being bombarded with
imports.
"A successful 201 action,
initiated by your administration is critical to give our domestic steel
industry the time it needs to complete its transformation and to emerge in
a condition capable of weathering future import surges," Voinovich stated
in the letter. "A strong, competitive and vibrant domestic steel industry
is critical to the U.S.
economy."
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