UAW Statement on Conn-Selmer Announcement to Close U.S. Facility

Today, Conn-Selmer, the last USA-made brass instrument manufacturer, informed workers that it is shutting down its Eastlake, Ohio facility to officially ship Ohio operations overseas to China. It means decades of an Ohio mainstay and hundreds of good, union jobs are on the chopping block so that billionaires can reap even more profits.

Conn-Selmer is owned by hedge fund billionaire and Trump ally John Paulson who clearly cares more about raking in more cash instead of preserving an American institution. It’s an interesting choice to make at a time when politicians across the country, including the President, are calling on corporations to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.

Across Ohio, in blue-collar town after blue-collar town, you can still see the scars left from the devastating effects of free trade. Conn-Selmer is the latest to choose profits for a handful of executives over people.

You better believe the UAW members who built these instruments for years and established the world-renowned brand reputation are already gearing up for a big fight to keep these jobs in Ohio. This is not just about the future of this company – it’s about the future of our community.