Mr Ken Neumann national director of United Steelworkers said that a new unity accord among unions representing Tenaris SA employees worldwide is a bold step that the global manufacturer of seamless and welded steel products should respect in all its dealings with workers.

The accord, signed in Calgary by unions representing Tenaris workers in Canada, Argentina, Italy, Romania and Brazil, commits the unions to work cooperatively and strategically as global partners, to build the bargaining power of workers and well being of communities.

In Canada, USW represents Tenaris workers at Algoma Tubes in Sault Ste. Marie and Tenaris in Calgary. The 35 union leaders, along with representatives from the International Metalworkers Federation, sent a letter of their intent to Tenaris Chairman Paolo Rocca, warning that, should the global financial crisis impact strongly on Tenaris’s sales and access to credit.

The union leaders are seeking a dialogue with Rocca to raise issues, including an international framework agreement, company neutrality in organizing workers at non-unionized Tenaris workplaces, company support joint health and safety structures and more.

Stronger collective agreements that bring to our members and all workers a fair and decent income during their working age and at retirement that will allow them and their families to enjoy an adequate standard of living

Mr Neumann said that "It is our hope that Tenaris will view this global unity as an opportunity to work with its unions to build a better company able to withstand the pressures of financial volatility. At the same time, it is our primary goal to protect Tenaris workers, wherever they are and whatever they do for the company."