Steelworkers union calls on presidential candidates to address trade violations

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3572

20 March 2008
PITTSBURGH - The United Steelworkers is asking the presidential candidates how they plan to address unfair trade policies with China and other countries, policies that are feeding the nation's economic woes, harming the environment and endangering consumers.
In a letter sent this week by USW International President Leo Gerard, the union asks Senators Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain to detail how they plan to address "gaping disparities in wages and rights between our country and those of the developing world."

The USW, which endorsed Democrat John Edwards in the presidential race, has not endorsed a candidate since the former vice presidential candidate ended his bid for the White House. With 1.2 million active and retired members, the USW is the largest industrial union in North America.

"Your views will be especially important to the more than 175,000 active and retired Steelworkers in Pennsylvania as they evaluate how they will cast their votes in the upcoming presidential primary on April 22," Gerard wrote. Candidates have been asked to respond by April 1.

Among other things, the letter also asks the candidates for detailed plans to:

• Reduce the nation's staggering trade deficit
• Challenge China's currency manipulation
• Enforce fair trade laws already on the books
• Toughen food and product safety standards, including supporting liability insurance for importers
• Demonstrate a commitment to protect human rights by opposing the Colombia Free Trade Agreement
• Stop unfair practices such as illegal logging that are costing U.S. workers their jobs and harming the environment.

FULL story at link.