CONTACT: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(Pittsburgh) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall issued the following statement today after White House National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard said Nippon Steel’s bid to buy U.S. Steel deserves “serious scrutiny”:
“The USW welcomes Brainard’s statement and the administration’s assessment that the announced sale of U.S. Steel to Japanese-owned Nippon Steel deserves ’serious scrutiny’ to determine its larger implications for our national security and critical supply chains.
“Our union shares many of the concerns expressed in today’s White House statement, including how this deal may impact the future of domestic steel production.
“Brainard also rightly highlighted the continuing role that the steel industry and its workforce play in safeguarding our nation, and we agree that our nation’s security interests must remain paramount.
“U.S. Steel has made it clear, time and again, that its first and only priority is short-term financial gain for shareholders, even if this comes at the expense of workers, their communities and the nation’s lasting capacity to continue meeting its manufacturing needs.
“The USW appreciates that the White House is taking a larger view, demonstrating once again the president’s unwavering commitment to domestic workers and industries.”
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.