Capital Expenditures by U.S. Steel Will Improve Air Quality, Secure Jobs
CONTACT: Tony Montana – (412) 562-2592; tmontana@usw.org
PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers (USW) today welcomed U.S. Steel’s announced plans to invest more than $1 billion to construct a cutting-edge endless casting and rolling facility at its Edgar Thompson Plant in Braddock, Pa., and a new cogeneration facility at its plant in Clairton, Pa., to convert gas from the coke ovens into electricity that will power all of the company’s Mon Valley Works operations and feature state-of-the-art emissions control systems.
USW International President Leo W. Gerard applauded U.S. Steel’s decision to invest significant capital into these two Pittsburgh-area facilities.
“Almost 127 years after the Battle of Homestead, U.S. Steel seems to understand that the ultimate measure of the company’s success cannot be calculated just in profits and share price,” Gerard said. “This investment demonstrates a commitment to operate in the best interests of its employees and their communities and shows respect for the part our members, their families and neighbors have played in keeping the proud tradition of steelmaking alive in the Mon Valley for over a century.”
USW International Vice President Tom Conway, who chairs the union’s negotiations with U.S. Steel, added that the proposed improvements will not negatively impact employment but instead will bolster the long-term job security of about 3,000 USW represented workers at the company’s facilities in Western Pennsylvania.
“Together, these projects will reduce U.S. Steel’s carbon footprint significantly and improve regional air quality by reducing emissions of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide,” Conway said. “Just as importantly, these investments will provide much-needed job security for current employees and future generations of Steelworkers at this historic and soon-to-be much more modern integrated steelmaking complex.”
The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in manufacturing, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector and service occupations.