The industry provides a better way of life for these workers and their families.
The International Trade Commission held two hearings this week looking at whether countries like China have dumped hot-rolled and corrosion-resistant steel into the U.S. market. If the ITC determines the obvious — that yes, China and a handful of other nations are dumping these products into the market — the agency is expected to issue tariffs to help level the playing field.
And the ITC announced late Thursday that it will investigate a major trade compliant filed by U.S. Steel that could lead to the banning of Chinese steel imports.
Now, when you read news coverage about these cases, it can get a little wonky. Reporters tend to get hung up in percentages and projections, and often fail to recognize that there is a major human element to what is happening.
But guys like Calvin Croftcheck know what’s up. Croftcheck has been in the industry since 1976, and knows the devastation that can happen when factories shutdown:
Croftcheck was one of six steelworkers who came to Washington for the hearings this week, serving as the face of the more than 1 million Americans who have a job because of the U.S. steel industry. Every single one of those jobs is at risk because of the steel imports crisis. Already, more than 13,500 people have been laid off because of unfair steel imports.
The steelworkers said they are ready to compete against anyone in the world. But China’s trade cheating means the game is rigged — and it is up to the ITC to make things right.
Scott Sauritch works in crane repair at Mon Valley Works in Pennsylvania. He’s been there for 20 years, and also serves as the president of United Steelworkers Local 2227. He followed his dad into the industry, and remembers what happened when a similar surge in unfair steel imports happened in the 1980s:
Jon Grunsky, a 43-year veteran of the industry, found himself laid-off:
Despite the hardships, the six steelworkers said they have no regrets about entering the steel industry. It has meant a better way of life, as Tom Duffy explained:
Dave Morgan echoed his comments:
And for Jim Johnston, the steel industry is what his family was raised on:
We'll keep you updated on what the ITC decides, both in the cases the agency looked at this week and the big U.S. Steel trade case.
Matt McMullan contributed to this report.