Sunday, April 6, 2008

David Ignatius allowed his free-trade ideology to clutter the truth in his March 27 op-ed column, " 'Roboburgh' Rising; Lessons in Pennsylvania's Economic Steel." He perpetuated the myth that manufacturing jobs are part of the "old economy" and that new jobs in professional and technical services will somehow create the future.

The United Steelworkers union and Pennsylvania's steel industry are still fighting to save family-supporting jobs by bringing their voices to the debate on our nation's failed trade policies. The new jobs in high-tech robotics that Mr. Ignatius's column cited are just as vulnerable to illegal trade practices as manufacturing jobs.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing found that when U.S. trade laws are enforced, the net contribution of domestic manufacturing to the U.S. economy is 50 times greater than any consumer benefits derived from "dumped" or subsidized imports.

Our Pennsylvania steelworkers have always been resourceful. They have risen to the challenge of globalization by encouraging steel to invest in new technologies. Today, western Pennsylvania still produces and ships just about as much steel as it did back in the late 1980s.

LEO W. GERARD

International President

United Steelworkers

Pittsburgh