Metro East Sun

The recent decision to continue steel slab production at Granite City Works (GCW) has been welcomed by local officials as a positive development for the community and its workforce. Earlier this month, U.S. Steel had announced plans to halt slab production at GCW, which would have affected hundreds of workers and their families.

State Senator Erica Harriss and State Representative Amy Elik responded to the announcement by intensifying their advocacy efforts. According to Harriss and Elik, "Our fight to protect these jobs has been ongoing. In 2018, President Trump visited GCW and pledged to revive American steel manufacturing—a promise that led to new tariffs on foreign steel, the return of hundreds of good-paying manufacturing jobs, and the restart of blast furnace B."

Despite earlier gains, GCW faced challenges in 2023 when primary operations were idled indefinitely. The legislators described how they "worked relentlessly, advocating by sending letters, meeting with officials, and engaging directly with company leaders to keep GCW alive." They also urged President Trump in June to include GCW in Nippon Steel’s investment plans.

When news broke in September about the planned end of slab production, further action was taken: "We doubled down and contacted Trump administration officials, explored state solutions, and rallied local stakeholders," they said.

The decision by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick played a pivotal role in maintaining operations at GCW. As stated by Harriss and Elik: "Thanks to the decisive intervention of U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick using the 'golden share' to hold U.S. Steel accountable, slab production will continue. Secretary Lutnick’s leadership, and his direct engagement with CEO Dave Burritt, delivered a win for our workers and our region."

Harriss and Elik emphasized that continued advocacy is necessary: "This outcome proves what persistence, partnership, and community advocacy can achieve. But our work isn’t done. We remain focused on securing long-term protections for GCW and ensuring it remains a pillar of American manufacturing for years to come."

They extended an invitation for Secretary Lutnick to visit Granite City: "We’ve offered to meet with Secretary Lutnick to discuss these concerns. While we’re happy to travel to Washington, our invitation stands for him to visit Granite City and see firsthand the impact these decisions have on real families and the vital work being done here."

Amy Elik is a Republican who was elected in 2021 as Illinois State Representative for the 111th House District; she succeeded Monica Bristow in this role.

"Granite City works because its people work," Harriss and Elik concluded. "And together, we’ll keep fighting for every job, every family, and every future in our community."