BRADDOCK, Pa. — The mayors of seven Pittsburgh communities sat down with Channel 11 on Tuesday to voice their concerns over a potential deal between U.S. Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel, fearing the economic consequences for their towns if the agreement falls through.
“We’ve been down this road before,” said Markus Adams, mayor of East Pittsburgh, referring to the impact on the region when Westinghouse shut down years ago. “East Pittsburgh has never recovered from it.”
The Edgar Thomson Plant, a key facility for U.S. Steel, was built at the heart of these communities. Local leaders worry that a failure to reach a deal could lead to plant closures or downsizing, devastating the already struggling area.
“For every steel worker’s job it’s estimated that five to seven jobs are created by the work there. That’s the restaurants, hotels, the welders, the fabricators, it’s imperative we continue to fight for this,” said Chris Kelly who’s the mayor of West Mifflin.
Mayors from nearly two dozen communities who are part of the newly formed Mayor’s Charitable Fund sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to consider the jobs and economic stability the steel industry provides.
“That’s what I would tell him, Mr. President these are your people don’t put them out of work,” Kelly said.
The main opposition to the sale comes from the United Steelworkers Union and politicians who want the company to remain domestically owned.
“Our union has been calling for strict government scrutiny of the sale since it was announced. Now it’s up to President Biden to determine the best path forward,” said USW International President David McCall.
The U.S. government’s committee on foreign investments has referred the decision to President Biden, who now has until Tuesday to approve or reject the deal. The mayors are hoping Biden will back their communities and prevent further economic decline.
“We are here to resolve and save our communities,” said Cletus Lee, mayor of North Braddock.
As the deadline approaches, the mayors are urging the president to act in the best interest of local workers and families.
“If the Mon Valley falls, the rest of us fall,” said Coletta Perry, mayor of Crafton.
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