casting process makes the industry one of the top 10 most energy-intensive in the U.S. As a result, a climate bill will have a direct impact on metalcasters due to program compliance costs and higher energy costs passed through from other regulated sources. This impact will be further exacerbated by the fact that competing metalcasting facilities around the globe, including China and India, will continue to operate free from greenhouse gas regulatory burdens. Many in the metalcasting industry understand the importance of re- ducing the world’s carbon footprint and working towards a clean energy future. However, a climate bill that undercuts the industry’s ability to operate competitively in the global marketplace could be damaging. According to industry advocates, “carbon leakage” occurs when green- house gas-limiting programs cause metalcasters to move overseas where processes are less energy efficient than in the U.S. In addition, castings shipped to the U.S. cause an increase in greenhouse emissions due to the added transportation. Metalcasting advocates therefore
have told Congress that final enactment of comprehensive climate change leg- islation must include a plan to address the competitive challenges facing both ferrous and nonferrous metalcasters, including energy cost rebates.
Employee Free Choice Act The Employee Free Choice Act (H.R.
U.S. metalcasters produce the castings that are used in wind turbines, solar towers, gas tur- bines, geothermal power pumps, lightweight automobiles powered by all means of alternative fuels, trucks and agricultural equipment.
in changing trade relations with China.
ISSUES IN FOCUS The Metalcasters Alliance for Gov-
ernment Affairs has pinpointed four critical issues in the current session of Congress.
Climate Change Provisions The U.S. metalcasting industry pro-
vides cast components for the renew- able energy sector and transportation. U.S. metalcasters produce the castings that are used in wind turbines, solar towers, gas turbines, geothermal power pumps, lightweight automobiles pow-
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ered by all means of alternative fuels, trucks and agricultural equipment. At the same time, the necessity to melt metal at high temperatures in the
Many in the metalcasting industry understand the importance of reducing the world’s carbon foot- print and working towards a clean energy future.
1409/S. 560)—including alternatives that limit the amount of time employees have to decide whether or not to form a union and limit employers’ ability to communicate with employees—would change how union organizing takes place by removing the secret ballot elec- tion process when determining union representation. The bill would replace the private ballot with a process called “card check,” which allows a union to organize if a majority of workers sign a card. Under this system, the workers’ votes are made public to the employer, the union organizers and co-workers. forcing an expedited mediation and arbitration process on both parties, and subjecting employers to heavy civil fines. The legislation imposes contract
terms on private, unionized employers through a process of mandatory bind- ing arbitration if both parties cannot
MODERN CASTING / June 2010
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