March 07, 2018

Duckworth Statement on U.S. Steel Reopening Facilities at Granite City Works

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Following the announcement that U.S. Steel will reopen facilities in Granite City, Illinois, and bring back 500 employees who were laid off before Christmas in 2015, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement:

“This is welcome news for Granite City and the hundreds of steelworkers who are going back to work after being laid off before Christmas two years ago. Although it is a positive step, we have a long way to go to keep manufacturing jobs in this country and reverse the trend of factories shuttering or reducing production of American steel. I will continue to support policies and legislation that strengthen our national security and protect American jobs to ensure hardworking Illinoisans are able to provide for their families.”

Last year, Duckworth visited Granite City to meet with some of the steelworkers who lost their jobs when the plant idled in 2015. Currently, Illinois’ steel industry supports 64,000 jobs, including over 9,400 jobs at steel mills.