More Weirton layoffs announced

More Weirton layoffs announced

Despite hundreds of layoffs and the plant manager’s sudden resignation, Mittal-Weirton (West Virginia) remains optimistic about the company’s future. While the 500 Independent Steelworkers Union (ISU) members return to work next week from a voluntary layoff period that started in May, 100 more workers will be laid off involuntarily. Meanwhile, plant manager Bill McKenzie resigned last week for personal reasons. ISU president Mark Glyptis is concerned about the 100 workers, but he sees the return of the majority of the previously laid off workers as a positive sign. “Overall, we’re improving, but we’re not quite where we need to be,” he said, “there are other companies performing at a higher level than we are.” He went on to explain that conversations on Monday (August 22) with upper management were fruitful but that there were no specific plans made for the future. He noted that the company is determined to stick it out in Weirton and restart the No. 1 blast furnace.