USW’s priority: Getting life back to normal on Minnesota’s Iron Range

But I’m happy to report that progress is being made in the fight to level the playing field.

In April of this year, U.S. Steel filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate the largest Chinese steel producers and their distributors.

USW is a strong supporter of this important step to put an end to China’s illegal and predatory acts. In the face of evidence of collusion, theft and fraud, we are optimistic that the 337 case will lead to aggressive action to stop illegal trade practices.

Just this fall, the U.S. International Trade Commission voted to establish new tariffs on hot- and cold-rolled steel imports from multiple foreign nations. This latest milestone in the fight for fairness for Iron Range workers, families and communities is an important one.

This year has been filled with a collective feeling that things are getting better, but that we still have a long way to go. As a member of our local United Steelworkers leadership, our ultimate goal is to help get people’s lives back to normal and make sure that Iron Range families have secure futures.

I hear and understand that some people in our communities are losing hope. I want to let folks know that USW leadership at every level is working their tails off and doing everything possible to right the wrongs of illegal foreign steel dumping and to restore the strength of our region’s cherished 130-year legacy of taconite mining.

In the instance of the hot- and cold-rolled steel imports case, the U.S. International Trade Commission is specifically establishing new tariffs on hot-rolled steel imports from Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Turkey; and on cold-rolled steel imports from Brazil, India, Korea and the United Kingdom.

The new tariffs will be in effect for five years. We thank all who were involved for their leadership in bringing that case forward. We are also grateful for the support of our elected officials who are fighting to end illegal and unfair trade practices.

As USW International President Leo W. Gerard said following the commission’s vote, trade cases are only part of the solution.

The Iron Range needs immediate, forceful action on the bigger crisis of global steel overcapacity. USW is working hard everyday to quickly bring all possible solutions to the table – and we will continue to do so until we get the job done.

John Rebrovich is the assistant to the director of United Steelworkers District 11.