Workers await word on extent of their layoffs

WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) — While Severstal North America decides how to weather what is becoming a global economic downturn, hundreds of steelworkers at several Ohio Valley plants will wait to see how long their layoffs last.

Wheeling Corrugating, a producer of deck and roofing products, is one unit that will keep working, said John Saunders, contract coordinator for the United Steelworkers. It’s busy filling orders for the storm-socked Gulf Coast.

Other units, however, will operate for a week, and then close for a week.

Neither the union nor the company would commit to numbers quantifying the layoffs Thursday. The union, which announced the cutbacks late Wednesday, said many workers will transfer between plants.

Severstal also owns WCI Steel in Warren.

Severstal spokesman Dennis Halpin said the company is re-examining short-term strategic plans to balance its production with customers’ orders, but nothing has been finalized.

Saunders said a strong steel business requires strong auto and housing industries, as well as companies investing in capital improvements.