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BURNABY, British Columbia, Aug. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The United Steelworkers union (USW) is looking out the U.S. Division of Commerce’s resolution to double duties on Canadian softwood lumber.
“The choice by the U.S. Division of Commerce to nearly double the present duties and tariffs of Canadian Softwood Lumber merchandise is nothing greater than pure U.S. protectionism,” stated Jeff Bromley, USW Wooden Council Chair.
“The continued escalation in duties and tariffs on Canadian merchandise getting into the U.S., whereas many different international locations – primarily from Europe – get pleasure from free and unfettered entry to U.S. markets, is just not solely unfair but additionally contradicts the spirit of the Canada-U.S. commerce relationship, the place most items and assets between the 2 international locations circulate freed from duties and tariffs.”
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The USW asserts that these will increase are nothing greater than the U.S. Softwood Lumber Foyer attempting to artificially increase lumber costs.
“The present worth of the commodity is in a low cycle, in order that they wish to hamper the Canadian provide in hopes of a worth rebound. It received’t work and it’s shallow economics,” stated Bromley.
“The baseless declare that our trade is backed is ridiculous. Our employees earn rather more in wages and advantages than the largely non-unionized workforce within the U.S., and our fibre prices are considerably greater. In Canada, our public assets profit employees, communities and First Nations, one thing I don’t see within the U.S., the place land barons appear extra targeted on artificially enriching their competitiveness.”
Since 2017 the Canadian Forest Business has paid over $9 billion in duties and tariffs.
“Sooner or later, the U.S. Softwood Lumber Foyer goes to need a deal to get their arms on that cash,” stated Bromley.
Within the meantime, Canadian forestry employees endure layoffs due to these unfair duties and tariffs.
In regards to the USW:
The USW represents over 14,000 employees in Canada’s forest trade and 225,000 members in almost each financial sector throughout Canada and is the most important private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, america and the Caribbean.
Annually, 1000’s of employees select to affix the USW due to our robust monitor file in creating more healthy, safer and extra respectful workplaces and negotiating higher working circumstances and fairer compensation – together with good wages, advantages and pensions.
For extra data:
Jeff Bromley, USW Wooden Council Chair, 250-426-9870, jbromley@usw.ca
Brett Barden, USW Communications, 604-445-6956, bbarden@usw.ca
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