Wheeling-Pitt workers fret over 'right size' talks

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/business/gallery/s_547057.html

By C.M. Mortimer
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, January 12, 2008

New management at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel has been meeting with leaders of the United Steelworkers union to discuss ways to "right size" operations and realize a targeted $150 million in cost cuts.

"We're looking at all facilities and products. We're looking at all of Wheeling-Pitt operations to reduce costs and look at our product lines," said CEO James P. Bouchard on Friday.

Wheeling-Pitt employs about 3,100 workers in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The USW represents about 2,500 hourly workers at Wheeling-Pitt's operations in Mingo Junction, Martins Ferry and Yorkville, Ohio, Follansbee, W.Va., and at a cold-rolled sheet plant in Allenport, Washington County.

Yesterday, Bouchard said no firm decision has been made concerning any of the plants. Officials of the steelworkers union could not be reached for comment Thursday or yesterday.

"We have ongoing conversations with the USW. They are not completed, we're putting a plan together and we're continuing our dialogue," Bouchard said. He did not give a specific timetable to conclude the talks. "The review will be completed in the near future," he said.

However, workers are worried. "The rumors are running rampant ... and they're all negative," said one Allenport steelworker.

FULL story at link.