U.S. Steel details layoffs at Gary Works
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Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel Corp. (NYSE: X) is announcing layoffs from the now-idled tin operation at its Gary Works facility. In a notice to the state dated Dec. 27, the steelmaker said the move is the result of market conditions that are out of the company’s control and will affect 244 employees.
U.S. Steel initially idled its No. 5 tin line in late August at Gary Works, also citing market conditions. Six weeks later, the steelmaker said it was idling the entire tin operation at the flagship steel mill indefinitely.
The company cited reduced demand for its tin products and “significantly increased” tin mill imports, which spokesperson Amanda Malkowski said are up 30% year to date.
“Advance notice was given in accordance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act to provide workers with sufficient time to prepare for the transition,” Malkowski said in an email to Inside INdiana Business. “In addition, U.S. Steel is working closely with the United Steelworkers on identifying available placement opportunities for impacted employees in open jobs across the company.”
When the idling of the entire tin operation was announced, U.S. Steel said the workers were moved to other areas of the complex.
Malkowski said the impacted employees will be offered assistance in accordance with the company’s agreement with the USW.
U.S. Steel offers Supplemental Unemployment Compensation along with extended health benefits, she said. The amount and duration of the benefits will depend on each employee’s service level but could be as high as 80% of base pay and last up to two years.
Malkowski said if market conditions improve, U.S. Steel anticipates recalling employees and restarting tin operations at Gary Works.
U.S. Steel still has a tin operation running at its Midwest Plant in Portage. Malkowski said the WARN Notice has no impact on that facility.