County Executive Seeks Answers on Sparrows Point Layoffs
Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz sent a letter to John Goodwin, president and CEO of RG Steel, asking for details on the recent layoffs.
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The Edgemere community rejoiced when RG Steel purchased the Sparrows Point steel mill and began recalling laid off workers in March, but that joy turned to fear this week as many workers were told not to report to work.
In response, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz sent a letter Thursday to John Goodwin, the president and chief executive officer of RG Steel, LLC, requesting additional information regarding the current plant closure at the Sparrows Point steel mill and offering support. The letter stated:
Dear Mr. Goodwin,The recent uncertainty regarding the future of the steel mill at Sparrows Point has been very difficult for the men and women who have a proud tradition of steelmaking in eastern Baltimore County. Thousands of workers and their families depend on steel making for their livelihood—plus thousands more who work for suppliers and businesses related to the Sparrows Point mill. Each of us who respect the work that they do has a responsibility to assist during the current economic challenge.
There are numerous rumors circulating regarding the future of the plant. Those rumors range from the plant closing for an extended period to the reopening of certain operations in a matter of weeks. The absence of information has made it very difficult for Baltimore County, the state, and federal government to mobilize the services that the men and women of Sparrows Point need.
It would be very helpful if you could provide specific updated information regarding the current work stoppage as soon as possible to Dan Gundersen, executive director of economic development in Baltimore County. Baltimore County government stands ready to assist its steel workers during this time of change and uncertainty, and this information will be very helpful as we move forward. Our workforce development team will work with RG Steel, the United Steelworkers union, and our state and federal partners to be sure workers have timely information about training opportunities, unemployment benefits and other resources available to them.
It is my sincere hope that RG Steel is committed to operating a viable steel mill at Sparrows Point for years to come.
Very truly yours,
Kevin Kamenetz
Baltimore County Executive
Sean Douglas Franklin
12:02 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
Laughable that the Executive pretends to care about the East Side and the Steel Workers. His real concern is keeping the Steel Workers support for the next election.
Greg Stotler
8:07 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
Sean, are you a steelworker?
Sean Douglas Franklin
5:01 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
Greg I am only pointing out an observation backed up by the Executive's decisions to neglect the east side. To answer your question I am not a steelworker.
Robert Armstrong
12:13 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
Why would the community of Edgemere rejoice when if they had simply searched Google about of Ira Rennert they would bring up dozens of examples of why he is a skunk.
Cathy Simpson
8:53 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
Maybe they rejoiced because not everyone is as cynical as you are.
Robert Armstrong
10:44 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
It's not cynicism, it's realism. Why didn't anybody do their homework on this guy?
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20111127/FINANCE/311279990
Wayne Monroe
5:31 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
Very simple game. They're not selling enough steel. I understand there is over capacity in the steel business right now.
Buzz Beeler
12:13 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
There are some multifaceted issues taking place here.
Maryland is one of the highest taxing states in the country. Not good for business.
http://money.msn.com/taxes/5-highest-5-lowest-states-for-taxes
Next, there are some troubled signs in the accounts payable department.
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-12-11/business/bs-bz-hancock-sparrows-point-20111211_1_machine-shop-severstal-north-america-machine-shop
Now the governor wants a gasoline tax increase of up to 15 cents that will impact the goods shipped by truck to the struggling plant.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/md-commission-proposes-15-cent-increase-in-gas-tax/2011/10/25/gIQArC29GM_story.html
Now the governor is reaching out to GE Charmian and CEO Jeffrey Immelt for help in "stabilizing the financial arrangements" regarding RG Steel.
This is perplexing since Immelt, the presidents job czar, has sent a good portion of his work force overseas and GE has paid no federal taxes.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/general-electric-paid-federal-taxes-2010/story?id=13224558#.Tv3u2vL4LDw
This indicates to me, that Immelt is a shrewd business man and given the current conditions at the plant, may step back from such a commitment.
As for Mr. Kamenetz's role, I think a drive to the east side plant is in order for a face to face with Mr. Goodwin. I might also suggest that the county's economic chief take the ride with the county executive.
kevin
12:35 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
Mr.Immelt is entirely responsible ,the govenor wrote him a letter asking him to reconsider the loan. Fact is Obama shut down that plant . Mr.Immelt is approving loans to Pennsylvannia and Ohio businesses in trouble because they NEED those states .Marylanders are to stupid and will just vote democrat. O'Malley letter was pulled from the sunpapers as soon as I wrote the comment tying GE to Obama. Steelworkers laid off thank Obama ,ONE WORD from him and the plant would be operating .
Robert Armstrong
4:47 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
Only a fool would lend money with little to no chance of repayment.
kevin
12:43 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
By the way Mr. Armstrong Mr. O'Malley knows that it is Mr.Immelt and union officers knew that they were negotiating the loan and all that had to be done was for GE and the president back the local steelworker .The promise they are living with now is he will pass the loan in March to increase employement numbers .Union members hold your officers feet to the fire they've known this was possible and the strategy behind it .Where is BABS ,Cardin and Ruppersberger ?oh that is right Dutch and Ben will save the jobs just before summer and they'll be reelected.This loan is chump change for GE but Dutch for sure is in trouble.Don't you love politics ?
kevin
12:57 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
By the way Mr. armstrong that google is powerful why don't you and EVERY democrat google Herb Moses ? Then you'll all know why the country is going down the crapper .
Buzz Beeler
1:36 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
Kevin, that is one point that many of us would agree with you on.
kevin
4:03 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
You have the article listed and front page about O'Malley questioning about the closing but where is the article? It was on the front page until I asked him in the comments section about Mr.Immelt? It was gone ten minutes later where did it go Sunpapers?
Sean Douglas Franklin
4:14 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
Greg I am only pointing out an observation backed up by the Executive's decisions to neglect the east side. To answer your question I am not a steelworker.
Joan Wood
3:53 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2012
Not only does the County Executive ignore the East Side...........seems the entire Delegation in Legislative 6 has the same problem............except in an election year, oh yeah I forgot, Johnny O Jr wants legislation to support Fantasy Football.........I'm sure all the people out of work especially on the East side will REALLY benefit from that!!
Buzz Beeler
4:32 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2012
This article appeared in today's Sun. Despite the glimmer of hope, the article does not pain a rosy future.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-sparrows-point-customers-20120104,0,1801846.story