Throughout our history, the United Steelworkers has fought to enhance the security and health of our members and their families through better wages and benefits, and more efficient, clean and safe workplaces. Today’s global economy demands a new strategy.

USW Statement on Maryland Initiative

PITTSBURGH, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Throughout our history, the United Steelworkers has fought to enhance the security and health of our members and their families through better wages and benefits, and more efficient, clean and safe workplaces. Today’s global economy demands a new strategy.

Capital, and the jobs it creates, has become mobile; chasing the lowest wages and environmental regulations to all corners of the world. As a result, our economic security has declined and the climate is suffering. We need serious measures and strong national policies to combat these two crises.

Maryland’s initiative on this crucial issue is commendable, but we are concerned that it could provide a perverse incentive to shut down existing facilities in Maryland and relocate them to other states, or distant parts of the world. Such an outcome would not reduce greenhouse gases; it would only transfer them to unregulated states and countries.

Almost 20 years ago our union identified climate change as the most serious environmental challenge facing us. We have also been consistent advocates for a strong international treaty process, including the Kyoto Treaty.

However, we also believe for global warming regulatory systems to be effective they must embody certain principles that will ensure the transition to a clean energy economy does not devastate the job base of our communities. To that end we are building partnerships and coalitions to look toward a renewable energy and energy efficiency strategy that can get our economy moving again and create a new generation of domestic manufacturing jobs while helping to solve global warming.

The USW is committed to being part of the solution in Maryland and would welcome the opportunity to be part of the Governor’s blue ribbon panel to continue this important work. We must protect both our jobs and the environment, for if we fail, we will protect neither.