USW Presents Trade Case on China Tire Imports Jun. 2

Congressional Members Testifying at U.S. Trade Commission

WASHINGTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leo W. Gerard, International
President of the United Steelworkers (USW) will present testimony before the
U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Tuesday, Jun. 2, along with other
USW officers involved with the domestic tire industry in a major trade case
that seeks to stem the flood of imported consumer tires from China. Ten
members of Congress will also testify.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080131/DC12982LOGO)

According to the USW petition filed Apr. 20, a surge of 46 million passenger
and light truck tire imports from China was worth $1.7 billion in 2008. More
than 5,100 domestic workers have been eliminated at four tire plants closed in
the U.S. since 2004. About 3,000 more jobs are slated to be lost by year's end
as three more plants close or stop production of passenger and light truck
tires.

The case was filed by the union under Section 421 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Documents show imports of passenger tires from China increased from 2004 to
2008 by 215 percent in volume and 295 percent by value. The USW said it seeks
to combat the egregious import surge by requesting the government impose a
quota on China of 21 million consumer tires.

The ITC hearing on Jun. 2 will be the only one at the commission in the
procedure for this Section 421 trade case. The commission will vote on market
disruption caused by China tire imports on Jun. 18. If the Jun. 18 vote is
affirmative, then the remedy will be voted on Jun. 29. The ITC will follow
with a report to President Obama by Jul. 9. The President's decision on a
remedy is due in mid-September.

WHAT: Public hearing on China imports of passenger and light truck tires.

WHEN: Jun. 2, Tuesday; begins at 9:30 am until finished.

WHERE: U.S. International Trade Commission, main hearing room, 500 E Street,
SW, Washington, DC.

WHO: Leo W. Gerard, International President, and Tom Conway, International
Vice President, USW, Pittsburgh, PA. Members of Congress who will testify
include: U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH); Evan Bayh (D-IN); Robert Casey
(D-PA); Arlen Specter (D-PA); Blanche Lincoln (D-AR); U.S. Reps. Robert
Aderholt (R-AL); Louise Slaughter (D-NY); Tom Cole (R-OK); Carolyn Cheeks
Kilpatrick (D-MI) and Tim Ryan (D-OH).

The USW represents about 15,000 tire workers at 13 plants in nine states,
which accounts for nearly half of the industry's production capacity in 2008.

For more information on the USW's trade case against China tire imports:
www.usw.org/tires

Contact: Gary Hubbard, 202-778-4384, 202-256-8125; ghubbard@usw.org

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Gary Hubbard of USW, +1-202-778-4384, +1-202-256-8125, ghubbard@usw.org