Steel Producer Announces Pandemic-Related Furloughs
(photo courtesy of The Times of Northwest Indiana)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA northwest Indiana steel manufacturer and a Westfield-based steel supplier have announced layoffs stemming from the economic uncertainty of the pandemic. The companies detailed the moves, which affect a total of 240 employees, in separate notices to the state.
ArcelorMittal USA said it is placing 200 employees at its Indiana Harbor mill in East Chicago on temporary, unpaid furloughs.
In a notice to the state, the company said many of its customers have unexpectedly and temporarily closed their plants due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those closings impacted demand for the steel manufacturer.
ArcelorMittal says it expects the furloughs to last less than six months.
Westfield Steel Inc. is also reducing its workforce. The company, based in Westfield, said it is temporarily laying off workers at its plants located in Westfield and Terre Haute.
Between the two facilities, 40 workers are affected.
The company said it anticipates the layoffs will not extend beyond six months, but it did say given the unpredictability of the COVID-19 crisis, “additional reductions in force may be necessary.”