USW Seeks Federal Investment in Domestic Aluminum Sector

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The United Steelworkers (USW) Union has sought federal investment towards building a stronger and greener Canadian aluminum industry. It called for establishment of a dedicated fund to support the long-term sustainability of the sector. The recommendations, aimed at countering tariffs imposed by the U.S. administration, were submitted to the Department of Finance.

The proposed investments would be mainly utilized towards modernization of smelters, so as to improve their carbon footprint. Several aluminum smelters have put on hold their investments on account of tense situation following imposition of 10% tariffs on Canadian aluminum exports. The federal investment would lend support to domestic industry to keep pace with the changing market situation.

Ken Neumann, USW National Director said that the U.S. administration has violated the terms of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement by imposing tariffs. The Canadian government should not limit its retaliatory tariffs to U.S. exports of aluminum products. Such an approach would threaten aluminum processing jobs in Canada, added Neuman.

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Meantime, Dominic Lemieux, USW Quebec Director urged the government to transform an unfair situation into a tremendous opportunity to ensure long-term prosperity of domestic industry by making it even stronger and greener.