May layoff 2,444 employees in US plant: ArcelorMittal

New Delhi, Nov 23: The world's largest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal on Saturday, Nov 23 has warned that it may layoff about 2,444 employees in northwestern Indiana indefinitely in January, 2009. Company sources said that it had notified the United Steelworkers labour union and other interest parties about the possibility of an 'indefinite layoff' at its Burns harbor plant in the second half of January.

ArcelorMittal said that the recent reduction in the global steel production and its plan to reduce production in North America by 40 per cent were the recent behind this decision. In a statement on Friday, Nov 21 company said, "Potential work force reductions are a direct result of the extraordinary economic environment we are facing, and the company hopes to return workers to their jobs as market conditions warrant."

Director of United Steelworkers District 7, Jim Robinson saaid that the union is negotiating with ArcelorMittal to minimise the number of layoffs. He also added that the union leaders at the international level was certainly aware of the ongoing issues.

Robinson said that the global economic crisis has resulted in cut in steel production and requests the officials to take action.

ArcelorMittal SA is based in Luxemburg. It operates about 21 plants in United States and employes more that 3,20,000 peoplw in over 60 nations.

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