WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman, as well as Reps. Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Summer Lee (D-PA-12), sent a letter to Japan-based Nippon Steel pushing the company for commitments to Pennsylvania and the United Steelworkers in its proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel. 

In their letter, the Pennsylvania members of Congress pressed Nippon Steel on the critical importance of U.S. Steel’s impact on Pennsylvania’s workers and industrial base and chided the two companies for not communicating with the United Steelworkers ahead of the announcement. 

“Our railroads, skyscrapers, and critical infrastructure across the country would not exist without Pennsylvania steel and the workers who forged it,” the members wrote. “For generations, union steel jobs have been sought after for the opportunities they provide to Pennsylvanians and their families. U.S. Steel and the steel industry are a part of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania’s core economic identity. 

“As you seek to acquire U.S. Steel, our top priority is what this means for Pennsylvania’s economy and communities, as well as the workers that provide the backbone of both.”  

Among other concerns, the lawmakers asked:

How many current U.S. Steel employees will be retained in the short and long term? 

How many will be reassigned? 

How many jobs will be displaced by existing Nippon employees? 

Are you aware of the full scope of commitments made to workers under U.S. Steel’s contract with the United Steel Workers? What are your plans to comply with them?

How do you plan to utilize U.S. Steel’s existing operations, facilities and supply chain in Pennsylvania, should you successfully acquire them?

What commitments, if any, can Nippon Steel make about its intention to preserve or expand operations and employment in Pennsylvania should it successfully acquire U.S. Steel?

For the full text of the letter, visit www.casey.senate.gov/download/letter-to-nippon-steel-on-acquisition. 

Senate Democrats Bob Casey and John Fetterman represent Pennsylvania.