OHIO

OHIO

WCI Steel probes fire
that struck mill furnace

WARREN — WCI Steel officials continue to investigate a fire that shut down the mill’s blast furnace.

Tim Roberts, a company spokesman, said Monday there is no timetable for restarting the blast furnace and employees should contact their department with scheduling questions. He said no decisions have been made on layoffs, but workers with at least three years experience are guaranteed 40 hours pay. Other parts of the mill continue to operate.

A fire ignited about halfway up the furnace Friday night. The extent of the damage is being reviewed, Roberts said.

Report: Ohio GM plant
has 2011 hybrid plan

TOLEDO — A General Motors transmission plant here could be producing parts for gas-electric hybrid vehicles by 2011, a newspaper reported.

The plans are included in a new four-year contract the company ratified with the United Auto Workers last month, The Plain Dealer reported. The contract calls for the plant to begin making the “Gen II Hybrid” rear-wheel-drive transmission by 2011 or 2012, the newspaper said.

GM will begin selling next month is first generation of the system — several models of full-sized sport utility vehicles for the 2008 model year.

Associated Press