The International Trade Commission’s decision against tariffs on foreign tin imports has sparked outrage from the president of a West Virginia steelworkers’ union, risking the closure of a mill and nearly 1,000 jobs.
The union president, Mark Glyptis, vows to fight the decision with support from Washington lawmakers.
“This is a total travesty. It’s totally un-American to me. It’s one of the most un-American decisions that has ever been made that’s going to jeopardize the food industry in this country. It’s going to be a national security issue,” United Steelworkers Local 2911 union president Mark Glyptis said.
The closure of the mill could have implications beyond West Virginia, affecting the economy and national security.
“I’m going to do anything I could possibly do to overturn this decision. It’s a wrong decision by our government. They’re supposed to be looking after America and its people, not foreigners,” Glyptis added.
“We have tremendous support in Washington. This is not over… there’s only three tin mills left in this country. We make food cans and we also make aerosol cans. It’s a national security issue in that, if we go to war, foreigners are going to control the food supply for our soldiers, so we’re off track,” he said.
“It is a total, absolute injustice to this country, and we’re going to fight like heck to overturn it. I have some confidence we’re going to be successful.”
“Not only [will this affect] those 900 people and their families, it’s going to affect our school system. It’s going to affect the tax base. These foreign countries are dumping product beyond any shadow of a doubt. If you stood on Main Street, West Virginia, you will see foreign steel coming into our town at enormously high rates,” he said.
“We have to overturn this, or it’s going to affect the entire country. And so we have to fight or legislate with our legislators later. Hopefully, we’ve put enough pressure on ITC to do the right thing,” he added.
Senator Joe Manchin expressed concerns over the closure, emphasizing the need to protect American workers and fair competition in the steel industry.
“Today’s announcement is a consequence of the International Trade Commission’s decision to turn a blind eye to nearly 1,000 hard-working employees right here in West Virginia in favor of illegally dumped and subsidized imports. Cleveland-Cliffs’ closure is an absolute injustice not only to American workers, but to the very principle of fair competition, and it will undoubtedly weaken our economic and national security,” Manchin said.
“Last night, I called Cleveland-Cliffs’ Chairman, President and CEO, Lourenco Goncalves, as well as United Steelworkers Local 2911 President Mark Glyptis to express my solidarity with the company and its workers. I strongly urge the Administration to take this opportunity to do the right thing and recommit to revitalizing our domestic manufacturing, strengthening our supply chains, and keeping good-paying jobs right here in the Mountain State. My commitment to the cause has only grown, and I stand ready to work with Mr. Goncalves, the United Steelworkers, and all of our partners in this effort to safeguard our domestic steel industry.”
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