USW Statement: U.S.-Canada Agreement on Bilateral Trade Deal

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Feb 05, 2010, 04:49 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), made the following statement on today's announcement of a tentative deal between the U.S. and Canada on bilateral trade relations.

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"Canada and the U.S. have a strong economic and trade relationship. The agreement that's been announced will reportedly enhance the reciprocal nature of that relationship. The goal of the Steelworkers in government procurement has always been to strengthen our manufacturing base in order to generate the most jobs for our members.

"The Canadian government has opened up access to its provinces and, in return, those states subject to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement will provide reciprocal access to the extent each state agreed to do so. In addition, Canadian firms will have opportunities to bid on new projects supported by provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, while U.S. companies and their workers will have enhanced access to Canadian construction projects.

"Workers in both countries -- our union members -- should have new job opportunities. At this time of continuing economic crisis, that's the most important thing."

Contact: Gary Hubbard, 202-778-4384 (O); 202-256-8125 (C); [email protected]

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)