Bethlehem Steel Corp.'s futile nine-month search for joint-venture partners underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to steel-industry consolidation in the United States, International President Leo Gerard said in response to a statement issued by the company calling for a comprehensive internal restructuring, including a new labor agreement in which it will seek to reduce costs. "The industry's problems are obvious," Gerard said, "too many companies saddled with costs-particularly retiree health-care costs-that no other steel producers in the world have to bear."
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