Cleveland-Cliffs plans temporary idling of mills, affecting over 950 employees in Pennsylvania and Illinois

Cleveland-Cliffs announced it will indefinitely idle its Steelton steel mill, along with two other facilities, citing insufficient demand and pricing for products such as rail, specialty plate, and high-carbon sheet. The idling is set to begin around June 30 after a mandatory notice period, affecting more than 500 employees in Steelton and about 950 workers in total across the three plants. While the company emphasized that the move is not related to tariffs and is considered a temporary, indefinite idling rather than a permanent closure, local officials and union leaders have expressed deep concern about the immediate economic and social impacts on the Steelton community. The Steelton plant, one of only a few rail producers in the Americas, has been a major local employer and a cornerstone of the borough’s identity. Mayor Ciera Dent and state partners have pledged to support affected workers and work toward long-term economic resilience. Despite the operational pause at these mills, Cleveland-Cliffs' flat-rolled steel production will not be impacted.