Mercer Countians stood up for steel Tuesday, rallying in Wheatland for stiff tariffs against low-priced imports and coverage of so-called legacy costs.

Those at the Stand Up For Steel Committee rally -- held at the United Steel Workers Local 1016 union hall on Broadway Avenue -- called on President Bush to stand behind the struggling domestic steel industry.

Two large, similar rallies are scheduled today in Erie and Beaver counties.

The local rally was organized by Charles Rice, president of United Steel Workers Local 1315 and the state's northwest coordinator for the national Stand Up For Steel Committee.

Rice said the industry's problems are not solely a steelmaker or steelworker issue.

"As we learned here in the 1980s, if the steel industry goes down it takes the whole community down with it," he said.

"It isn't just the steelworkers who are yelling about what's going on in the steel industry. It's a community issue," Rice added.

Rice said the top priorities of the Stand Up For Steel Committee are to get the president to enact 40 percent tariffs on imports and pay for legacy costs, which steel companies must pay for benefits and health-care coverage for retired workers. Rice said the tariffs could help keep domestic steelmakers in business and also help pay for the legacy costs.

The president is expected to say March 6 how he will help the industry, Rice said.

In addition to local labor leaders, the rally was attended by state Senate Minority Leader Robert J. Mellow, state Sen. and Lt. Gov. candidate Allen Kukovich and state Senate challenger Kyle Klaric of Hermitage, all Democrats.

Local officials plan to charter buses for a trip to Washington on Feb. 28. For more information, call (724) 346-3537.