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Editor, News-Register:
I am writing in my capacity as Union President at Cleveland Cliffs-Weirton, Local 2911, in order to respond to the editorial dated Feb. 24, 2024 entitled "End of Era in Weirton."
First, I want to respond to the misconception referenced in the editorial, which indicated that "the tin mill would be closing in April." To be very clear, Weirton's facilities are not being shut down, but are instead being indefinitely idled. The idling of the plant is being done in such a manner that the plant assets will be preserved and prepared for an eventual restarting of the plant.
Further, the plant idling is the direct result of a recent ruling by the International Trade Commission, which refused to uphold tariffs on tin plate products that are being dumped in the United States by various foreign countries including China. The lack of new orders resulting from this decision necessitated the idling of the plant. The Union is currently pursuing various avenues to reverse the ITC decision. I find it shocking that our fellow Americans on the ITC panel have chosen to inflict such pain on the valley's workers and citizens.
I cannot stress strongly enough that the Weirton plant has not been permanently closed. The Union intends to fight with all of its strength to preserve steel making in Weirton.
Mark Glyptis
President, Union Local 2911