In its latest move to reduce production amid falling demand for its steel products, United States Steel Corp said late Tuesday that it plans to temporarily idle three facilities -
Keetac, an iron ore mining and pelletizing facility in Keewatin, Minn.; Great Lakes Works near Detroit; and Granite City Works near St. Louis.

Corporate spokesman John Armstrong said the company will temporarily consolidate its operations over the coming weeks for an unspecified period of time. The move of idling three plants would affect approximately 3,500 steel workers.

The action follows the company’s announcement in mid-November that it laid off 675 workers in the US and Canada.

About the company’s latest announcement, Chairman and Chief Executive John Surma said: “We believe that our difficult decision to temporarily consolidate our production is a necessary response to current market condition.”

US Steel said it will temporarily concentrate production at Mon Valley Works near Pittsburgh; Gary Works in Gary, Ind.; Fairfield Works near Birmingham, Ala.; and Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke, Ontario.

Meanwhile, Russ Saltsgaver, president of United Steelworkers Local 1899, Jeff Evans, president of Local 68 and Jerry Siner, president of Local 50, issued a joint statement Tuesday, saying the unions have requested a meeting with the company.

Image Source: worldsteel.org