Steelworkers Rip Bush, Fret for Future

[Khephra]

PITTSBURGH -- Steel workers and union leaders said President Bush's decision to lift tariffs would undermine efforts to reshape the industry, but some executives said an improving world economy would limit the impact.

The unions said a proposed monitoring program to guard against a glut of foreign steel -- a consolation from President Bush who lifted the tariff under threat of a trade war -- would not be enough for companies in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia to stay competitive.

"They're basically being kicked right in the face now for all the hard work they've done, and I think it's a disgrace," said Andy Miklos, 53, a heavy equipment operator and Local 1557 president at U.S. Steel-owned Clairton Coke Works, south of Pittsburgh.

Workers and union leaders vowed to back the Democratic opposition in the 2004 presidential election.

"Our union will now work very hard to make sure George W. Bush joins the ranks of the unemployed next year," said Mark Glyptis, president of the 3,000-member Independent Steelworkers Union at West Virginia's bankrupt Weirton Steel Corp.

more................

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-steel-states,0,7154210.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[Robin Hood]

1. Looks like another Union for Dean.

Bush is making our job easier every day.

[Dagaz]

2. Actually they already endorsed Gephart

[Robin Hood]

4. probably not for long.

[cpa]

11. Steelworkers

Those coal miners, steel workers and others in West Virginia and Ohio have to learn not to vote for Bush or the Republicans. If they would have realized that in 2000, Bush would not be president and they would not be in the shape they are in today.

[doc03]

16. Clinton and Gore elected Bush

I hate to say this but Clinton and Gore came to the Ohio valley and
promissed to put tariffs on in 1992. They broke their promise and that it why Bush got elected. I work in the mill and most people give Bush credit for at least giving us 20 months. In my case I still have a job because of them, for now anyway. The steelworkers union gave up what leverage we had by endorsing Gephardt several weeks ago. Also the rank and file steelworker blames Clinton for NAFTA and the WTO, even though it was passed by mostly Republican votes.

[mbperrin]

3. Hard to think that ANY

union member ever really expected something good from these bastards!

[VolcanoJen]

5. Our candidates need to get their butts to OH, PA and WV...

... and quick.

This huge misstep by Chimpy will infuriate many people in this steel state (Ohio), and in Pennsylvania and West Virginia even more so. The time to educate the industrial states' voters about this issue is now.

I realize that New Hampshire and Iowa come first, and get the big, early press, and launch the momentum... but c'mon... Ohio has 21 electoral votes; Pennsylvania has 23. These states are absolutely crucial in the general election, and with the Ohio primary coming up on March 2 (the race will likely be decided by the time the PA and WV primaries roll around, in April and May, respectively), we'd really love to know where our Democratic candidates are.

Come to steel country, Dems!! We need you.

[stevedeshazer]

7. You are right

The outcomes in NH and IA are already baked in. OH and PA are huge swing states that can make a big difference.

The nominee will be decided by the time these primaries come around, but how about running some hard-hitting campaign ads early?

[54anickel]

13. Yes, but they'll also need some type of a solution to the dilemma.

Can't just go in saying shame on Shrub, I wouldn't have done that. Let's face it, the WTO was going to hit us hard if Shrub didn't lift them.
Gotta have a something to offer besides sympathy, a plan on how to save the industry, before they go poking that hornet's nest.
JHMO

[aquart]

17. It's not so much a misstep as another example

of America's stripped supremacy. Europe took a good look at us and George and crafted a brilliant plan: target a trade war at states vital to a Republican victory. I doff my hat to the witty simplicity of it.

Now George can lose the unions which he's bent on destroying anyway, and a union with no working members is one dead union, or state after vital state. No contest.

Europe didn't have to send soldiers or drop one bomb. They beat us with brains.

[joeunderdog]

18. Message to campaign contributers:

Don't trust the Chimp. He only wants your money.

Message received.

[Westegg]

6. Pittsburgh Steel

In a way, Bushy probably doesn't have a choice. He made his bed and now he'll lie in it. One could argue, however, that he's doing to steelworkers today what Frick and Carnegie did to their employees at the end of the 19th century. "Homestead," anyone? Anyone?

[PaDUer]

9. Rendell on with Tweety

tonite about this.

[Torgo]

10. As a USS Homestead Works Veteran...

of more than ten years' service in that now-defunct plant, I have seen the destruction of an entire industry. It once was an innovative industry, dedicated to fundamental and applied research, and the manufacture of new and better products.

Beginning with Reagan, that all changed. For major steel manufacturers, it became a race to the bottom. Dumped imports and low-wage minimills destroyed steel prices. Now even the minimills are closing at a record pace.

Today, the worst steel dumpers are the high-cost producers - Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and even Canada.

I am still in the steel industry and I see the effects every day. I have seen Japanese (JSE Kawasaki) high-grade pipe delivered to Western U.S. jobsites at prices 10-20% below production costs.

The race to the bottom is still on! The recent industry consolidation is far from over. Many more steelworkers will lose their jobs in the coming months as plants close either from shortages of raw materials or impossibly low selling prices.

Bush caved in, and it may well cost him his job.

[xchrom]

8. wedge issue #2?

first the medicare bill if played right
now this -- the chimp in chief has handed a good one to the dems -- now bless their pea-pickin hearts, may they make good use of it.

[DS1]

12. one day after his visit.. record turn around time or what?

Again, people that voted for him deserve it

[Ksec]

14. I can tell you that around here in eastern Ohio Bush is

pretty much despised. I dont think the tariffs would have made much of a difference in this area because he was unpopular before them. Ohio is close. Gore lost by 3 % and he ignored us. I agree that Dem candidates can take Ohio if they work at it.

[jamesinca]

15. If I may quote W.R. Pitt

From his book- The Greatest Sedition is Silence. "We the People, that means you".

Get out there and work it, talk to your neighbors. Work it baby, leave no regrets on the field!!!! We can not wait for Terry McAuliffe to do something. We have to do this. Gilespie, Racicot, Bush have all responded to this today, the Dem national party has been quiet. I am sure they will have something by the end of next week though. You need to fill that week void until the DNC can get off its ass. This is your chance to fight the war on terror. This is your chance to take out Bush because he hates us for our freedoms.