USWA and PACE Plan to Merge

The executive boards of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and the Paper, Allied Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) have unanimously voted to merge. According to the USWA the merger of the two organisations will create the largest industrial union in North America, with over 1.25 million active and retired members. The union also reports that it will have over 8,000 bargaining units in the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

The new union will be called the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union. PACE and USWA members will vote on the proposed merger at conventions to be held in April.

“By joining forces with the USWA, PACE members will have greater bargaining power, because this merger creates a larger union presence in our core industries and gives us more leverage at the bargaining table. Once merged, our union will immediately be a major presence in North America’s core industrial sectors and that strength of diversity will both protect and promote our bargaining agendas,” said PACE president Boyd Young.

“We’re also pledged to using our successes with our joint Rapid Response and political programmes to challenge anti-worker forces bent on undermining the futures of our active and retired members,” added USWA international president, Leo W Gerard.

While many members many be welcoming the increased size and perceived influence of the union, questions are likely to raised about whether the move will dilute the USWA’s representation of rubber workers. The USWA merged with the United Rubber Workers union in 1995.