Meetings set for laid-off Severstal workers

STEUBENVILLE - Laid-off workers from Severstal Wheeling plants will want to attend a meeting at their Steelworkers Local halls next week to learn more about, and help build a federal grant for, retraining assistance.

The Workforce Investment Act Program region that includes Jefferson, Belmont, Harrison and Carroll counties is putting together an application for a National Emergency Grant to serve Severstal employees regardless of the plant where they worked.

Meetings will be held at United Steelworkers halls on the following schedule:

10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday, USW Local 1190 Hall, 227 S. Third St.

10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday, USW Local 1238 Hall, 705 Main St., Martins Ferry.

2 p.m. Dec. 17, USW Local 1223 Hall, 310 Public Road, Yorkville.

Mike McGlumphy, work force development specialist with the Jefferson County Community Action Council, explained the National Emergency Grant will fill a gap that occurs between programs.

He said 119 workers from Severstal were denied Trade Readjustment Act assistance, which is basically extended unemployment benefits, in the transfer from Wheeling-Pittsburgh to Severstal Wheeling.

Workers also qualify for Trade Adjustment Act funds, which cover training, but McGlumphy said many of them soon will be reaching the end of their 104 weeks of benefits. The grant also will fill in between applying for training funds and actually receiving them.

"The National Emergency Grant we're putting together is to cover the shortfalls," he said.

McGlumphy said the more workers who attend the meetings, the better the case for assistance can be made, meaning the grant can be larger and serve more people.

"The grant size will depend on the turnout," he said.

The grant application will go to the U.S. Department of Labor and should be ready for submission by early February. McGlumphy said the Workforce Investment Act region also is seeking money from Ohio to fill in any gap that might occur while the area waits for arrival of the National Emergency Grant money.

"It's very important for anyone interested in long-term training to come to one of these meetings," he said. "We're seeking information to include as we write the grant so that we know how much we should seek."

The meeting will include representatives of 10 colleges and trade schools from throughout the area to provide information on retraining, as well as representatives to discuss trade assistance funds and the emergency grant proposal.

To be eligible, a worker must have a layoff letter and meet income guidelines.

(Giannamore can be contacted at pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)