Joseph Kargi has released a new track titled ‘Down,’ reflecting the despair felt across the community over the impending layoff of 1,000 steel plant workers
Sault musician Joseph Kargi has composed a heartfelt song that aims to capture the shock and frustration felt by the recent announcement of imminent layoffs at Algoma Steel.
To date, Kargi’s song Down has received approximately 5,000 views on his Facebook page.
“I guess it struck a nerve for better or worse,” Kargi told SooToday. “People resonate with it.”
Kargi teaches music to students at his home studio, works as a session musician for other artists and also composes film scores.
“I have friends, family, students, and people I’ve worked with who are affected by this. It’s heavy to say the least when you have people told just before Christmas ‘you’re going to be out of a job,’” Kargi said.
News of the layoffs, which will take effect in March, came just weeks after Algoma Steel received $400 million in support from the federal government and another $100 million in support from the Ontario government as the industry reels from U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel.
“I think everybody’s mind is completely baffled,” he said. “Everybody from the blue collar workers to the middle management side are getting cut.”
Although 1,000 workers and their families will be affected by the layoffs, the federal government subsequently said the steel plant has committed to hiring back 500 workers when the company eventually opens two new divisions: one for enhanced plate and one for beam.
“There is already a lot of food insecurity and shelters,” Kargi said. “Now an entire tax base will be taken out of existence. Who’s going to pay for everything from health care to supporting children’s hockey leagues?”
The musician said he’s not suggesting any specific course of action to steer Algoma Steel or the community at large out of its economic woes.
He said he’s just venting through Down.
“Nobody should take their political opinions or economic advice from musicians or artists,” he said. “I can only bring to light what is happening. I can only say what’s on people’s minds. Somebody has to say something.”
Lyrics to Down follow:
There’s nothing left
In this old steel town
No more iron
Running from the river
Down
Down, down as the shift end sounds
Down, down on the list you’re found
They said just give us
Tax breaks now
We have a plan
And we’ll turn this thing around
Down, down, the economy drowns
Down, down, with the elbow slogan
No banks to save
Your pennies with now
A 1,000 home sale
As they drive the price
Down
Down, down for your nickels and dimes
Down, down as your credit declines
Look how they plot and scheme
To take it all
No working man’s golden parachute
CEO’s just crawl away
400 million and its all gone
There’s no one left
In this old steel town
Everyone’s drained
Till they bleed right out
Down, down, the economy drowned
Down, down, with another working town
To watch the full song, click HERE.