Managers at the Gerdau Ameristeel steel and rebar manufacturing plant in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, told union officials last week that they expect to issue layoff notices to about 150 of its 375 employees, due to significant declines in commercial building and road construction in areas the Sand Springs plant services.
Gerdau Ameristeel spokesperson, Ramiro Prudencio, told press, "The steel market has been going through a decline in demand, which started in September. The company has begun targeting a series of measures, including a reduction in personnel."
However, President-elect Barack Obama’s announcement last week of plans to embark on a massive highway construction program to help stimulate the economy, could boost the Sand Springs plant’s production in the future, which could lead to job hirings.