Alton Steel laying off 41 workers

ALTON -- Alton Steel Inc. has confirmed that it will lay off 41 union production workers Sunday because of the economic downturn and production slowdown in the steel industry.

Word of the layoffs came Thursday -- the same day as U.S. Steel announced that it would be laying off 81 workers at its mill in nearby Granite City.

Company officials said the Alton Steel workers, members of United Steelworkers of America, will continue receiving benefits during the layoffs.

In a written statement, Alton Steel's president and chief executive officer, Michael Fitch, called the move an extremely difficult decision.

Fitch did not predict how long the workers would be laid off from the steel fabrication plant.

Alton Steel employs 335 people.