Multiple facility closures go against positive trend in steel industry

President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation and recently retired Sub-District Director for USW District 1, Pat Gallagher, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the indefinite shutdown of several Republic Steel facilities. Gallagher also discussed the announcement that US Steel is searching for a potential buyer and the redistricting conversations in Ohio’s Congress.

On Aug 11, Republic Steel announced indefinite shutdowns at four different facilities. There have been several issues with Republic Steel for the last couple of years, several penalties and more, leading to a loss of several facilities. Over the last decade, there has been a decrease from nearly 2,500 workers to just over 500 members when the announcement was made. Gallagher believes the issues that came up over the last decade come down to mismanagement that led to the loss of several thousand Steelworker jobs.

Cleveland Cliffs announced a bid to acquire US Steel’s company in August, after US Steel’s announcement of searching for a potential purchaser of the company. There haven’t been many efforts from US Steel to provide Cleveland Cliffs with the information required to do their due diligence. The recently retired Steelworker said US Steel is backing away from their original decision. Until the two can come to an agreement that suits both sides, he believes there will be no advancements in a potential sale.

Redistricting has once again become a hot-button issue in the Ohio State Legislature, as Gallagher discussed an issues the NCALF is facing. There was a new map proposed recently that has since been rejected by the redistricting commission. Whispers about a proposal for a new non-partisan redistricting commission continue to be heard. This proposal would create a commission with no elected officials, returning the power to determine the new maps back to the voters. 

To hear more from Gallagher, please press play above.