UAW urges Trump Administration to stop offshoring Ohio plant jobs

The United Auto Workers (UAW) is urging the Trump Administration to step in to prevent the closure of a renowned brass instrument plant in Ohio, which is at risk of having its operations moved to China. This move threatens to eliminate 150 union jobs in the state.

In a communication addressed to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, UAW President Shawn Fain, UAW Region 2B Director David Green, and UAW Local 2359 President Robert Hines have requested the inclusion of brass musical instruments in the Section 232 tariffs on copper imports.

The UAW officials expressed, “Workers in Eastlake, Ohio have produced brass musical instruments for over 60 years. They have done their jobs, producing world-class products, winning a union contract with family-sustaining wages, and building the company into America’s largest in the sector. Now, it is time for the federal government to do its job, by protecting our jobs, signaling to blue-collar workers across the country that their jobs will be safe too, and penalizing companies for attempting to offshore our jobs and decimate our communities.” They further urged that "The Commerce Department has the power to immediately halt the offshoring of jobs at Conn-Selmer by making the company, and its billionaire owner, pay a price for leaving Eastlake behind. Brass musical instruments must be included as derivate products within the scope of the section 232 tariffs on copper imports.”

In January, during what was intended to be the first day of recent contract discussions between Conn-Selmer and UAW Local 2359 members, the company announced it would close its Ohio facility. Plans were unveiled to relocate nearly all operations from Eastlake to China.

The impending closure threatens a key piece of Ohio's industrial landscape, with 150 union jobs at risk due to the decisions of billionaire hedge fund owner John Paulson, who has prioritized profit over preserving an American manufacturing legacy.

For more details, read the complete letter here.