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Two Unions Agree to Share Information,
Work Together On Common Issues 

Officers from the Independent Oil Workers Union of Aruba (IOWUA) and the United Steelworkers (USW) have signed a Strategic Alliance that will encourage and support the two unions as they begin to work together on common goals and interests.

IOWUA President Johannes Anthony and General Secretary Francis de Graf signed the document on March 1 while they were in Pittsburgh to attend the USW International Installation of Officers ceremony.

“This is another important step as the Steelworkers continue to reach out and build strong working relationships with other unions in the global community, particularly here in the Western Hemisphere,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard, in announcing the alliance. “We have learned that our two unions share much in common, including representing members who work for multi-national corporations like Valero.”

Jim Pannell, Administrative Vice President responsible for the oil sector of USW, added,"the IOWU has worked with us in the past addressing issues of mutual interest and we are pleased that they have decide to move this cooperative relationship to another level."

Within the framework of the Strategic Alliance, the two unions have agreed to share purposeful information, coordinate and conduct joint activities, and further explore the possibility of a future permanent affiliation. In the meantime, IOWUA members will become Associate Members of the USW and will be granted all the rights and privileges associated with this program.

“We hope that this alliance will create a long-term partnership between our two unions – a partnership that will be in the best interests of all of our respective members,” Gerard said.

The IOWUA currently has about 350 members who work for an oil refinery owned and operated by Valero Energy Corp.

For more information, contact the USW at 1-877-511-8792
For an Organizing Contact Request Form, click HERE