The proposed sale was first announced in December 2023, and has faced opposition from U.S. Steel union workers and federal leaders alike.

The DOL found that children used "corrosive" chemicals to clean head splitters, jaw pullers, bandsaws and neck clippers among other pieces of equipment.

"Port operations must evolve," the USMX said in a December 3 release, responding to a statement from ILA executive vice president Dennis Daggett.

“This is a pivotal moment in our history," said Daggett. "The decisions we make today will determine the future for generations to come."

Teamsters president Sean O'Brien was also reportedly among those pushing Trump to tag Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor. 

To adapt to shifting trade policies, U.S. manufacturers should focus on supply chain resilience, cost-efficient production through automation, and recurring revenue through monetization and servitization.

Adoption isn’t a finite process. Even after automation is deployed and the employees are trained, it’s crucial that vendors stay engaged.

CUPW workers went on strike on November 15, with Canada Post telling customers to expect delays for mail deliveries for as long as the stoppage drags on.

Download this guide, 6 Ways to Get more From Your Manufacturing Facilities, to learn six key strategies leaders can use to maximize value from their manufacturing facilities—and set the stage for sustainable growth.

Industry 4.0 has revolutionized manufacturing, introducing new complexities in site selection. Beyond the traditional "three P's”—people, power and place—smart manufacturers are now considering advanced technologies like IoT, AI and big data.