WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) sent a letter to the Illinois Department of Labor urging Director Jane Flanagan to open an investigation into possible Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act violations involved in U.S. Steel’s recently announced layoffs at their Granite City Works facility. 

“In September of 2023, U.S. Steel initiated 400 layoffs without WARN notification, claiming that their action would be temporary in nature. The company cited fears of reduced steel demand related to the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike as the reason for this decision. On November 28th, despite positive market changes and a resolution to the UAW strike, the company has now sent these workers and 600 additional employees notice of permanent layoffs. The actions taken by the company this week call into question the integrity of their statements and the legality of their actions,” said Congresswoman Budzinski.  

The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Jane Flanagan
Director of the Illinois Department of Labor
Springfield Office
900 South Spring Street
Springfield, Illinois 62704

Dear Director Flanagan,

I write to request that the Illinois Department of Labor open an investigation into the indefinite idling of the Primary Operations at United States Steel Corporations’ Granite City Works facility, which resulted in Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notices sent to 1,000 workers this week.

In September of 2023, U.S. Steel initiated 400 layoffs without WARN notification, claiming that their action would be temporary in nature. The company cited fears of reduced steel demand related to the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike as the reason for this decision. On November 28th, despite positive market changes and a resolution to the UAW strike, the company has now sent these workers and 600 additional employees notice of permanent layoffs. The actions taken by the company this week call into question the integrity of their statements and the legality of their actions. 

I ask that the Illinois Department of Labor investigate U.S. Steel to determine whether workers’ rights to advance notice were protected under the law. The lack of WARN notice in September left 400 employees, their families and the Granite City community without the dignity, respect and time to prepare that they deserve.

Sincerely,

Nikki Budzinski
Member of Congress

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