CANTON, Ohio, July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
United Steelworkers (USW) today said that despite recent management
changes at PSC Metals, a subsidiary of billionaire investor
Carl Icahn's Icahn Enterprises
(NASDAQ: IEP), the company still refuses to negotiate in good faith
with the union or comply with the employer mandate provision of the
Affordable Care Act (ACA).
PSC Metals locked out more than 60 members of USW Local 3610-02
on Feb. 1, 2014, in an attempt to
force deep economic concessions on workers, including the
elimination of employee medical benefits. Under the ACA, employers
that do not provide health insurance will be subject to a fine of
$2,000 per worker starting in
2015.
"The ACA was never intended to be used by employers as an excuse
to deprive workers of insurance," said USW District 1 Director
David McCall, "and forcing PSC
Metals employees into looking for subsidized benefits on the
healthcare exchange places an unnecessary burden on taxpayers."
In addition to potential fines for violating the ACA's employer
mandate and unlawful bargaining charges the union has filed with
Region 8 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a Securities
and Exchange Commission and FBI investigation of insider trading
allegations against Icahn is continuing by federal agents.
McCall urged Icahn and PSC Metals to obey the law, end the
lockout, return the USW members to their jobs and reciprocate the
union's good faith while contract negotiations proceed.
"We are committed to negotiate a fair contract with PSC Metals,"
McCall said, "and there's absolutely no excuse for Icahn to
continue to punish these Steelworkers and their families in
Canton by continuing or prolonging
his company's unfair and possibly illegal lockout."
The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in metals,
mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and
the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of
workers in public sector and service occupations.
More information, contact: Bob
Andrews (330) 493-7721; Tony
Montana (412) 562-2592
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SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)