Kaptur Decries Layoffs Facing Lorain Steel Workers
March 26, 2015
WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur issued the following statement in response to news that Republic Steel plans to temporarily lay off 200 hourly and salaried employees in their Lorain Hot End Operations facility:
“These layoffs are a terrible blow to two hundred workers, their families and the Lorain community. Declining demand, the biggest reason given for these layoffs, often starts with unfair competition from imports of cheaply made foreign competitors. That is why I continue to fight for fair trade with enforceable labor and environmental standards for every U.S. trade agreement, old and new. I have said it many times: our steel workers in Lorain and throughout the country deserve better. And we must do better for them. To do that, we will need to open closed foreign markets and keep investing in manufacturing for long-term U.S. global competitiveness.
Investing in infrastructure using domestically sourced steel is step one. High quality steel, which will last for generations, must be used. Improving the efficiency and self-sufficiency of manufacturing facilities is also a priority that will require upgrades to achieve energy savings, especially as advanced manufacturing revitalizes our domestic production including U.S. Steel. Workforce development and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) must be available to respond to the specific needs of communities and workers laid off by no fault of their own but who find themselves and their families on the brink.
I am encouraged that Republic Steel is working with local USW leadership to minimize this round of layoffs, and that this move is described as temporary. Let us not forget that U.S. Steelworkers have done everything ever asked of them. Their outstanding work ethic built this country. Now our country must fulfill its commitment to them.
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