FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- American steel workers, including those in the Birmingham area, face an uncertain future amid the dumping of steel imports in the U.S. market.
That was the message at a rally held this afternoon by the Alliance for American Manufacturing at U.S. Steel Corp.'s Fairfield operations.
An estimated 900 people, including U.S. Steel workers, members of trade unions, politicians and local business owners and residents turned out for the rally, part of a series of events being held across the country to raise awareness of the issue.
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, a Democrat from Selma, said the issue is one that crosses party lines. Alabama Republican congressmen Spencer Bachus and Robert Aderholt also spoke at the rally and echoed Sewell's comments.
"We're standing up for things being made in America and made in Alabama by American workers like yourselves," Sewell said.
According to AAM, nine countries, but mainly South Korea, are flooding the U.S. with steel pipe priced below cost to squeeze out U.S. producers. The situation puts jobs at companies like U.S. Steel, and the communities they call home, at risk.
In July 2013, domestic steel producers filed a trade case that is pending at the U.S. Department of Commerce. A decision is due in July.
U.S. Steel employs about 1,500 people overall at its Fairfield site.
Patrick Mullarkey, plant manager for the Tubular Operations, said the facility is holding its own, but it can always use more business.
If the resolution of the pending trade case doesn't recognize the dumping, then nothing will stop those countries from flooding the U.S. with even more imports, he said.
A truckload of steel pipes sat next to the stage during the rally.
"That represents our livelihood...we have to protect it," Mullarkey said.
Scott Paul, president of AAM, said the issue is especially important in Birmingham, with a history that's steeped in steel production.
Pat Summerlin, an electrician who has worked at U.S. Steel's Fairfield operations for 23 years, said people beyond the steel industry could feel the effects of the issue, because the plant and its workers support the community.
"If I lose my job, that means I'm not spending money at your business," he said. "We're all connected."