Steel On the Lakeshore

A judge has thrown out an antitrust claim against China by U.S. Steel. It’s the latest twist in the Northwest Indiana steel giant’s months-long bid to ban Chinese steel imports:

International Trade Commission administrative judge Dee Lord rejected the Pittsburgh-based company’s antitrust complaint against China. But it’s not the only trade case that U.S. Steel has in the works with the ITC.

A steelworker was killed at U.S. Steel’s Gary Works plant last week on September 30th. It’s the second death there this year, it comes amid rising tensions over safety.

Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration shows 28 primary metal manufacturing workers were killed on the job across the country in 2014. Two of those were in Indiana, about average for the past few years.

The U.S. Commerce Department is using a new monitoring system to shed light on how steel moves around the world. Industry watchers say it could drive long-term policy changes to protect American steel from the effects of foreign trade.

The first installment of the new Global Steel Trade Monitor ranks China first in the world for steel exports, and the U.S. first for imports.

Chris Nolte spoke with Northwest Indiana Times reporter Joseph Pete regarding ArcelorMittal’s new 10-year-deal that will bring business to its East Chicago steel mill.

Steelmaker ArcelorMittal, whose largest North American mill is in Indiana Harbor, is introducing a new high-strength steel for cars. As Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Annie Ropeik reports, it’s part of an effort to boost profits — amid an uncertain time for the industry.

The new steel is designed for the interior rails and pillars that make cars safer during a crash. A spokesperson from Arcelor, which is the world’s largest steel producer by volume, says it should make cars lighter and cheaper to produce when it’s rolled out next year.

The steel industry has changed considerably over the last 30 years.  It leaves many wondering about the future of working in the field.

As part of Lakeshore Public Radio’s “Steel on the Lakeshore” series, Lakeshore reporter Sharon Jackson talked with Purdue University Calumet Economics professor Paul McGrath about what’s changed in steel and McGrath says subcontracting is among the big changes.

Steel is still a giant field in Northwest Indiana, but the industry is also looking at other parts of the world at which the local workforce can do the work required to make quality products.

As part of Lakeshore Public Radio’s “Steel on the Lakeshore” series, Lakeshore reporter Sharon Jackson spoke with Purdue University Calumet Economics professor Paul McGrath as part of Lakeshore Public Radio’s “Steel on the Lakeshore” series.

ArcelorMittal is not an American company.  The organization has steel plants all over the world and could locate their operations anywhere they want to, but there are some benefits the company reaps producing in the United States.

Purdue University Calumet Economics professor Paul McGrath spoke with Reporter Sharon Jackson on the future job viability of the steel industry in Northwest Indiana and the United States,  as part of Lakeshore Public Radio’s quarterly issues reporting collaborative, “Steel on the Lakeshore.”

The steel industry has faced several issues recently, including the large tariffs imposed on imported steel due to unfair trade practices.

Purdue University Calumet Economics professor Paul McGrath shared his analysis on the viability of the industry here in Northwest Indiana.

Lakeshore Public Radio’s Sharon Jackson spoke with McGrath about the industry and where it’s going as part of Lakeshore Public Radio’s “Steel on the Lakeshore” Quarterly Issues reporting collaborative.

The Steel Industry in Northwest Indiana has seen better days. The Steelworkers Union and Manufactures are still in the midst of contract negotiations. The price of steel has been decreasing, resulting in massive layoffs that have dealt a serious blow to the regions steel workforce. Congressman Pete Visclosky, who serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Steel Caucus, spoke with Lakeshore Public Radio’s Dan Clark about the industry’s current problems as well as what is holding the once booming industry back.