US Steel plans temporary shutdown, layoffs in Ohio

LORAIN, Ohio - U.S. Steel plans to temporarily shut down its operations in northeast Ohio for two weeks and lay off 77 workers.

In a letter to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Pittsburgh-based company says it will idle its Lorain Tubular Operation due to a recent "major and unanticipated" economic downturn.

Spokeswoman Erin DiPietro says there is reduced demand for products made for the oil and gas industries. She would not say how long the shutdown would last.

The plant employs about 570. About 200 union members are currently on a vacation shutdown.

Lorain Mayor Tony Krasienko says the city's unemployment rate has been near 8 percent for some time, with the suffering steel industry affecting other businesses.

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