Workers suspended at Liberty Steel in 2024 will be returning to work by next week, according to Independent Steel Workers Union leader Penny Wight. Liberty Steel furloughed more than 500 employees from its Peoria-area steel mill and wire mill in December, citing economic challenges in the steel market.
The company stated that the furloughs were necessary. The steel mill closure affected approximately 260 employees, while the wire mill shutdown impacted 280 workers.
A spokesperson for Liberty Steel said that “after evaluating current steel market challenges, including the influx of low-priced imports, we have taken the difficult decision to idle the Peoria Wire Mill temporarily from December 6.”
Workers at the steel mill returned to work this week, union leader Penny Wight said, and the wire mill workers will return to work next week.
“We’re happy about it,” Wight said. “We are getting back to work and hopefully, we continue.” Further updates are yet to be received.