The United Steelworkers (USW) is asking the presidential candidates to reveal their plans to address unfair trade policies with China and other countries, policies which the USW says are “feeding the nation’s economic woes, harming the environment, and endangering communities.”

In a letter sent last week by USW International President Leo Gerard, the union asks Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain how they plan to address “gaping disparities in wages and rights between our country and those of the developing world.”

The USW had endorsed Democrat John Edwards in the presidential race. It has not endorsed another candidate since Edwards dropped out of the race. “With 1.2 million active and retired members, the USW is the largest industrial union in North America,” the USW said in a statement released on Thursday.

“Your views will be especially important to the more than 175,000 active and retired steelmakers in Pennsylvania as they evaluate how they will cast their votes in the upcoming presidential primary on April 22,” Gerard wrote in the letter.

Candidates have been asked to respond by April 1.

Among other things, Gerard also asked the candidates for their detailed plans to do the following:

•Reduce the nation’s 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.

•Oppose the Columbia Free Trade Agreement.

•Stop illegal logging.

The letter notes that “more than 3.3 million manufacturing workers have lost jobs and more than 40,000 facilities have closed since 2000 because of failed trade policies,” the statement said.

“Our members are deeply interested in these issues,” Gerard wrote. “The have been on the front lines in the battle against unfair trade and have experienced, first hand, the impact of foreign protectionist and predatory practices. They will be deeply interested in your answers.”

The USW represents 1.2 million members in the U.S. and Canada employed in the metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, and service sector industries. For more information visit www.usw.org.

Posted 3/21/2008