ATI Sellout: Union's Trade War Betrayal

The article details the United Steelworkers (USW) union's efforts to prevent a strike by steelworkers at Cleveland-Cliffs and US Steel as contract negotiations approach in September 2024. The author accuses the USW leadership of prioritizing collaboration with the steel companies and the government, particularly in relation to Trump-era trade war measures, over the interests of its members. The article highlights the potential for rank-and-file steelworkers to strike for better wages, benefits, and safety improvements, driven by inflation and dangerous working conditions. However, the USW leadership is characterized as actively working to suppress this potential strike action. Specific examples cited include the USW's focus on behind-the-scenes bargaining with companies and its promotion of a "labor-management partnership" approach that prioritizes company profits. The author asserts that the USW leadership's close ties to the Democratic Party and their support for protectionist trade policies, which benefit the steel companies, further compromise their ability to represent the workers' needs effectively. The article concludes by suggesting that steelworkers need to organize independently of the USW bureaucracy to fight for their interests, recognizing that a genuine fight for improved conditions would necessitate challenging not only the companies but also the USW leadership and the broader political establishment. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/03/06/blid-m06.html