U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) is calling on U.S. Steel CEO Mario Longhi to collaboratively work with local labor leaders and the community to minimize the impact of U.S. Steel’s recent decision to idle operations at Granite City Works, as well as to reopen the steel plant in the near future.
Durbin also wrote a letter to Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, seeking federal assistance for displaced steel workers from Granite City Works.
"I understand this is a business decision, and those decisions cannot be easy," Durbin said. "However, I encourage you to work with the Steelworkers Union Local 1899 to ensure displaced workers have every opportunity for relocation where appropriate, retraining where necessary and whatever assistance is possible during this difficult time. I stand ready to do what I can to help keep Granite City Works operating and its employees working.”
On March 25, U.S. Steel announced it would idle Granite City Works starting May 28 as part of the company’s consolidation of its North American Flat-Rolled operations. The decision will affect approximately 2,080 workers.
Alerts Sign-up