After the temporary closure of the Granite City Steel Plant by U.S. Steel Corp. on Friday, a trio of Illinois congressmen released statements regarding the action and the impact it will have on the state’s economy.
The steel plant will remain closed for an undetermined period of time. The move prompted GOP U.S. Reps. Mike Bost, John Shimkus and Rodney Davis to each speak out in support of the over 2,000 affected employees.
“I am saddened by the announcement and the impact it will have on so many hard-working steel families in Southern Illinois,” Bost said. “Granite City Works is a critical driver of the Metro East economy, and we must do all we can to ensure the closure is, indeed, temporary. Since the announcement, I have met with the heads of U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers Union to offer any help I can provide at this difficult time. As soon as I get home this week, I will be meeting personally with elected officials and the steelworkers impacted by this decision.”
“My heart goes out to the Granite City mill workers and their families,” Shimkus said. “These men and women, along with thousands more steelworkers around the country, deserve my personal and our collective support. I’ve stood with them for more than a decade in the fight against foreign steel dumping, and I still do. As we await word on the future of the Granite City Works, I’ll continue to fight for workers by supporting policies that grow our economy and restore demand for American-made steel.”
“I am very disappointed by U.S. Steel’s decision to temporarily close their plant in Granite City, and my thoughts are with those workers and their families who may lose their job as a result,” Davis said. “My office has been in contact with representatives from U.S. Steel about this issue, and we will work with state and federal officials to ensure those being displaced have all the tools at their disposal to find new employment or seek other opportunities. As a member of the Congressional Steel Caucus, I will continue to work with the steel industry on ways to protect and grow jobs here in Illinois.”