Pueblo steel mill plans to idle 450 workers for 2 to 3 weeks

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — Russian steelmaker EVRAZ says it will idle about 450 workers at its mill in Pueblo for up to three weeks to adjust to a slowdown in orders.

The Pueblo Chieftain reports (https://goo.gl/fejB7H ) the move follows EVRAZ's decision earlier this month to indefinitely shut down its seamless pipe unit in the town due to a decline in U.S. oil drilling, a move affecting about 90 workers.

The plant's rod-and-bar mill will continue to operate.

Company officials say the temporary idling of its steelmaking and rail mill operations will take effect March 19 and March 26, respectively. They blamed a downturn in commodity markets, specifically coal, metals and oil, and the continued high volume of unfairly traded steel imports.

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Information from: The Pueblo Chieftain, https://www.chieftain.com/