While we wait for the vote over at Essar Algoma....the below was written by President of the USW, in regards to Mesabi Metallics (formerly Essar Minnesota).
The iron ore leases "situation" is supposed to be sorted out by end of April.
http://www.hibbingmn.com/opinion/open_forum/hibtac-union-denounces-the-essar-steel-scam/article_f1b29856-15b9-11e7-9290-7bd526ada148.html
I am president of the United Steelworkers Local 2705. I cannot put into words how disgusted I am with the Iron Range legislators, past and present, that have propped up the Essar Steel scam, now known as Mesabi Metallics.
• Essar had/has no intention of constructing a direct reduced steel facility.
• Essar had/has no intention of paying the state of Minnesota nor any other government entity back in full money owed.
• Essar had/has no intention of paying the suppliers and contractors back in full money owed.
• Essar’s business plan has always been a bait and switch scheme that, painful to say, has obviously greased the palms of too many Iron Range political figures.
I represent in this letter 750 active employees at Hibbing Taconite, including salaried personnel. I am also representing close to another 750 retirees from Hibbing Taconite.
I can assure you that 99 percent of the above, plus their spouses, support Cliff’s Natural Resources obtaining the iron ore leases from the state of Minnesota that were once held by the defunct Essar Steel.
Thank you, Gov. Mark Dayton, for standing firm in this matter. Your support as well as Sen. Tom Bakk’s for the workers and pensioners of Hibbing Taconite is greatly appreciated.
