CHICAGO (CBS) — More than 230 workers at a factory on Chicago’s southwest side are expected to lose their jobs soon.
The Wheatland Tube steel tube manufacturing facility, at 4435 S. Western Blvd. in Brighton Park, will close on Nov. 1.
Zekelman Industries, the parent company of Wheatland Tube, blamed increased competition from Mexico for the closure and complained that trade agreements covering imported steel are not being enforced.
Zekelman said the volume of imported steel pipes from Mexico has increased by 650% compared to the period before the 2018 U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement.
“All we ask is that our trade agreements be upheld,” Barry Zekelman, executive chairman and CEO of Zekelman Industries, said in a press release. “Instead, Americans will be unemployed at a company that pays life-saving wages and benefits. How does this help promote the American dream?”
Zekelman said 237 employees will be affected. To the extent possible, those employees will have the option to transfer to other Zekelman facilities, the company said.
For those who do not wish to transfer or for whom there are no positions available, severance packages and outplacement services are offered, the company said.
