U.S. Steel Warns Thousands Of Jobs, Pittsburgh Headquarters In Peril

PITTSBURGH, PA — U.S. Steel on Wednesday warned thousands of union jobs, as well as its Pittsburgh headquarters, could be lost if it fails to merge with Nippon Steel of Japan.

The announcement comes in the face of strong opposition to the merger by Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump.

During an appearance in Pittsburgh Monday, Harris said she wants U.S. Steel to remain "owned and operated." Trump has vowed to block the deal if elected.

Both scenarios would be cataclysmic for U.S. Steel and its workers, according to the company.

"We want elected leaders and other key decision makers to recognize the benefits of the deal as well as the unavoidable consequences if the deal fails,” U.S. Steel President David Burritt said in a statement as workers prepared to rally in support of the deal at the U.S. Steel Tower Downtown.

Without the Nippon Steel transaction, U. S. Steel said it will largely pivot away from its blast furnace facilities, putting thousands of well-paying union jobs at risk, negatively impacting numerous communities across the locations where its facilities exist, and depriving the American steel industry of an opportunity to better compete on the global stage.

U.S. Steel also warned that if the deal with Nippon falls through, serious questions would arise about the company remaining headquartered in Pittsburgh. The departure of U. S. Steel, which has been making steel in the Mon Valley since 1901, would deprive the Pittsburgh area of jobs, tax revenue, and community-based contributions, the company contended.