Deluzio Bringing Union Steelworker from U.S. Steel’s Irvin Works as Guest to Japanese Prime Minister’s Address to Joint Meeting of Congress

CARNEGIE, PA – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced that his guest to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Address to a Joint Meeting of Congress is Rob Jones, a United Steelworkers (USW) rank and file union member. A resident of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, Mr. Jones works as an Operating Technician 1 at the U.S. Steel (USS) owned Irvin Works in the Mon Valley. Congressman Deluzio brings his constituent Mr. Jones as his guest to the Japanese Prime Minister’s address in the midst of a national debate over the proposed sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel.

"I am glad that my constituent and union Steelworker Rob Jones is able to join me to hear directly from the Japanese Prime Minister in this critical time for the fate of U.S. Steel and the men and women who power it,” said Rep. Deluzio. “Pennsylvania workers made the steel that built this country, and they still do. I intend to do everything I can to keep it that way. While regulators in Washington scrutinize Nippon Steel’s planned acquisition of U.S. Steel, my serious concerns remain. The United States requires a strong domestic steel industry, powered by solid union jobs, ready to usher in the next age of America’s manufacturing leadership. I hope that having Rob down in Washington will remind the nation that Western Pennsylvania Steelworkers and communities have given this country a lot, and we are going to make our voices heard.”

Congressman Deluzio leads the charge in the House of Representatives in opposition to the sale of USS to Nippon Steel. He led his colleagues from the Congressional Labor Caucus on a letter raising concerns on the labor issues at play in this proposed sale. He also joined with his Senators and Representative Lee on a letter demanding answers on Nippon’s commitments to the Steelworkers Union and its workers. He sent another letter with both Pennsylvania Senators calling for Treasury Secretary Yellen, through her department’s review process, to block the sale due to national security considerations. Just last week, the Financial Times reported on deep bureaucratic and economic ties between Nippon Steel and the People’s Republic of China.

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