Indiana Harbor Mill Could See Cutbacks

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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA local union official tells our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana most of the U.S. cuts proposed by global steel producer ArcelorMittal would affect the Indiana Harbor operation. The company recently announced a five-year capital plan that seeks to save $250 million through efficiencies in the U.S.
In all, ArcelorMittal lost nearly $8 billion in 2015. United Steelworkers District 7 Director Mike Millsap tells The Times ArcelorMittal is looking to close several lines and run fewer operations more efficiently. Millsap adds he doesn’t expect the streamlining to include layoffs. Rather, he says affected employees would be transferred to other parts of the massive mill.
More than 4,100 employees work at ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor, which covers some 3,100 acres.
The company and USW are currently in negotiations that include hashing out which operations could be idled and which may receive additional investments. Talks have not been finalized, but Millsap tells The Times "we need the company to be able to sustain itself in the future. It has to be profitable in order for us to do our jobs. The type of investment they’re talking would protect our members."