U.S. Steel Lays Off Northwest Indiana Workers

GARY and PORTAGE, Ind. — Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel Corp. has reduced its staff at two northwest Indiana facilities. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report an undisclosed number of non-union workers at the company’s Gary Works and Midwest Plant in Portage are affected by the move.

The layoffs are unrelated to the previously-announced cuts involving 150 workers at the steelmaker’s East Chicago Tin, according to the publication. A spokesperson for U.S. Steel says the move is part of an ongoing effort to improve efficiency.

"Following the announcement of our new operating structure on Oct. 8, leaders examined organizational structures, work performed, and spending to find opportunities to more efficiently execute our strategy," Amanda Malkowski told The Times. "At the same time, we’ve been battling challenging market conditions, which means we need to truly become a leaner, more efficient organization faster. As part of this process, we are taking the difficult step to eliminate a number of non-represented positions in the United States."

U.S. Steel did not specify the number of employees affected by the move, but said they are all hourly workers not represented by a union. The publication says that means all of them worked in managerial or professional positions.

Last month, the company reported a third quarter net loss of $84 million, compared to net income of $291 million during the same period last year. In June, U.S. Steel announced it was idling a blast furnace at Gary Works, but at the time said the move would not have an effect on employees.