USW: Bridge Collapse Underscores Need for Infrastructure Investment

Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, (412) 562-2444, jkamm@usw.org

The United Steelworkers union (USW) released the following statement today from USW International President Tom Conway after the collapse of a bridge in Pittsburgh’s Point Breeze neighborhood injured 10 people:

“While we are thankful that nobody faced life-threatening injuries in this disaster, today’s events once again remind us of the dreadful condition of much of our nation’s infrastructure.

“Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, many of the repairs we need to make are on the way with the long-overdue Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the president signed into law last November.

“But as President Biden prepares to visit our city today, this tragedy underscores how urgent it is that we start quickly making the improvements that will come with his $1.2 trillion infrastructure law.

“Whether it is today’s bridge disaster, the failure of the energy infrastructure in Texas last winter, or the collapse of two dams in Michigan in 2020 that forced the evacuation of thousands of residents, there are far too many examples of the dire need for major investments all across our nation.

“As we begin to make these crucial repairs, we call on the U.S. Senate to move quickly on the Build Back Better Act which will commit even more badly needed resources to our nation’s infrastructure.

“We cannot sit by while our communities crumble beneath us. President Biden put forward a solid plan to bring our nation into the 21st century, and the Senate must continue working until it is a reality.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

Press Inquiries

Media Contacts

Communications Director:
Jess Kamm at 412-562-2446

USW@WORK (USW magazine)
Editor R.J. Hufnagel

For industry specific inquiries,
Call USW Communications at 412-562-2442

Mailing Address

United Steelworkers
Communications Department
60 Blvd. of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15222