Rep. Sykes Statement On Republic Steel Shutdowns
AKRON, OH — U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) issued a statement following news that Republic Steel has “indefinitely idle[d]” steelmaking operations in both Canton and Massillon, impacting more than 200 local employees:
“The impact these shutdowns will have on the workers and their families here in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District is alarming. These workers and their families deserve transparency, and the hard-working men and women employed by Republic Steel do not deserve the anxiety and uncertainty about what will happen in the coming weeks and months. My office is ready to help in any way we can, and we have been in contact with local labor unions, local elected officials, and the federal government to seek answers and ensure the dedication and service of each employee is respected.”
Accordingly, Rep. Sykes sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor, requesting they certify the compliance or noncompliance of Republic Steel’s actions with respect to federal law pursuant to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice (WARN) Act of 1988 and U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 20, Section 639.9. The WARN Act helps ensure advance notice in cases of qualified plant closings and mass layoffs, requiring at least 60-days’ notice of any shutdown. The letter can be found here.
For more than one hundred years, Northeast Ohio companies – including Republic Steel – and our steelworkers have manufactured products used across our nation and the world. Unfortunately, the decision to shift production overseas places corporate profits over the well-being of American families. This is a fundamental failure to recognize the commitment and value in our domestic workforce, and leaves workers and their families to make impossible decisions when companies make massive layoffs with little to no notice. Rep. Sykes will continue to fight for Ohio workers and families over companies that prioritize profits and shareholders.
Rep. Sykes is a member of the Congressional Labor Caucus and the Congressional Steel Caucus, and is the only Ohioan to serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Rep. Sykes’ office can help connect impacted workers with unemployment benefits as they look to find other means of employment. Those needing support can contact Rep. Sykes’ office at (330) 400-5350 and sykes.house.gov.
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