Home> PA AFL-CIO > Convention Resolutions

2004 Convention Resolutions

Resolution No. 40

PA STEEL STEELWORKERS INDUSTRY

            WHEREAS, Urging the Congress of the United States and the General Assembly of Pennsylvania to take appropriate action to protect the "Health Care and Pensions" of the Domestic Steel Industry Retirees.

            Pennsylvania is the birthplace of the American steel industry and home to the country's largest steel producers, including United States Steel Corporation and Bethlehem Steel Corporation, and home to the United Steelworkers of America; and

            The steel industry remains vital to the economy and national security of the United States and provides family-sustaining jobs for 60,000 Pennsylvanians as well as health care and pensions for an additional 150,000 Pennsylvania families; and

            Since the steel industry crisis began in 1998, 31 steel companies, half of all active steel companies in the United States, have filed for bankruptcy; and

            Steel stock values continue to plummet and illegal steel imports continue to be dumped on our shores, threatening the future of the entire industry; and

            United States Steel Corporation, International Steel Group (ISG) and United Steelworkers of America are prepared to work together in the spirit of cooperation with Federal Government leadership to build a strong and globally competitive steel industry; and

            It is of the utmost importance that action be taken quickly by the Federal Government to help the domestic steel industry recover and that such action provide for the relief, consolidation and rebuilding of the American steel industry;

            THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the President, pursuant to the serious injury findings by the International Trade Commission and the recommendation for remedy, to take swift action to reimplement substantial tariffs covering the full range of products where injury has been found by the International Trade Commission; and

            THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the President, and Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, members of Congress from Pennsylvania, Governor Ed Rendell, and the Pennsylvania General Assembly, take the necessary steps to secure and protect defined pension plans that are in jeopardy of defaulting and being acquired by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) and that a plan of action be taken to secure the actual pay-out to employees of bankrupt companies that have been acquired by the PBGC pay the monthly negotiated allocation of money that each employee has earned through years of service and for the federal government to shore up shortfalls in the PBGC’s funding accounts; and

            THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the General Assembly urge the President to take any additional steps that are necessary to rebuild a strong and globally competitive United States steel industry; and

            THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, the members of Congress from Pennsylvania, Governor Ed Rendell, and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

                                   

Submitted by:

                                    USWA PA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

Referred to:               Legislation Committee

Committee Action:

Convention Action:

    

All site content ©2004-5 by Pennsylvania AFL-CIO or others. Tools you may need to get the most out of this Web site.