Battle to save Charleroi glass plant entangled in political campaign for Senate
The battle to save a Charleroi glassmaking plant whose owner wants to close it by year's end and move operations to Ohio became entangled Friday in the politics of the U.S. Senate campaign in Pennsylvania.
Republican Senatorial candidate David McCormick blamed the pending closure of the LCN Corelle Brands plant in Charleroi, which will eliminate about 300 jobs, on what he claimed were the failed economic policies of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
"Manufacturing communities like Charleroi are suffering," McCormick told about 150 LCN workers, political supporters and government leaders at the rally in downtown Charleroi.
Investment firm of LCN Capital Partners of New York announced this month that it would close the plant that makes Pyrex housewares products and move production to another former Anchor Hocking plant in Lancaster, Ohio. LCN Capital Partners in October 2023 acquired Anchor Hocking plants in Charleroi and Ohio.
A better business environment is necessary and a streamlining of regulations is needed for manufacturing companies, said McCormick, who admitted during questioning that he does not have any political power now to make an impact on the company's decision.
LCN Corelle Brands CEO Mark Eichorn could not be reached for comment.
Charleroi Councilman Larry Celaschi, whose grandfather worked at what was then the Corning Glass Corp. plant, said that the closing of the factory, coupled with the closing of a pasta-making plant in the borough, will result in the loss of about 425 jobs. Those are the two largest employers in the community, Celaschi said.
"It is a crushing blow to Charleroi," Celaschi said. "Taking the glass plant out of Charleroi and moving it to Ohio is like taking the Steelers out of Pittsburgh."
Daniele Byrne, vice president of United Steelworkers Local 53G, which represents workers at the plant, said the factory has been part of the fabric of the community for 105 years.
"If this takes place, it will devastate this place," Byrne said.
Byrne said they will continue to fight Anchor Hocking's sale of the plant to LCN, which was approved by the Federal Trade Commission, because they claim it creates a monopoly in the production of housewares.
Borough council President Kristin Hopkins-Calcek said the rally was meant to focus on efforts to save the LCN Corelle Brands plant, but it became a political campaign stop for McCormick, who faces U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, in November's election.
"It's using our people for political gains," said Hopkins-Calcek, a Democrat who was not invited to speak after McCormick. "Bob Casey is the only senator who is putting pressure on Anchor Hocking."
The USW said in a statement that McCormick has inflicted heartache and misery on working people by cutting jobs at his own companies, teaching other employers how to outsource, and doing business with Chinese firms that undermine America's economy and security.
"He's a hypocrite who lined his pockets on the backs of ordinary Americans," the USW said.
Casey released a letter he sent to Eichorn, asking for an explanation of how LCN was able to acquire the Charleroi plant and why it decided to close it, given that the glassmaking market is not in crisis. He sought a response from Eichorn on whether company has considered selling the facility rather than dismantling it.
In the meantime, meetings are scheduled to resume Monday to address LCN's decision to close the facility and the effects on workers, said James Watt, a USW District 10 staff representative who works with the Charleroi plant workers.
Watt said following the rally that the union has offered contract concessions in an attempt to keep the plant open, but LCN has not indicated it will be receptive to that. The union contract expires at the end of February.
One of those families directly impacted by the pending closure is Erin Guzik of Charleroi, whose husband, Seth Uhl, works at the plant.
"This is the only worthwhile job and they are taking it from us," Guzik said.
