Senator Rockefeller Fights To Keep Severstal Jobs In West Virginia

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Joins Governor Manchin and representatives from Senator Byrd's office in a discussion with Severstal

May 22, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV joined Governor Manchin and representatives from Senator Byrd’s office in a call with Severstal’s CEO, Greg Mason, to discuss saving Severstal jobs for West Virginians. Rockefeller also participated in a conference call on Thursday with local labor leaders to hear their concerns firsthand.

“We are fighting every day to keep as many jobs as possible right here in West Virginia,” said Senator Rockefeller, a longtime champion of bringing steel-industry jobs to West Virginia. “We are working with labor, management, CEOs, and the state and federal governments to find solutions and relay concerns. I will never stop fighting to maintain a level of steel manufacturing that has always been here. This is part of West Virginia’s history and the proud record of what I believe are some of the hardest working people in the country.”

The company conveyed to Senator Rockefeller that they are working to keep as many employees as possible, but acknowledged that there will be significant layoffs. If market conditions improve, Severstal would like to resume operations under a different structure, and begin hiring former employees back. Senator Rockefeller will continue to be in close communication with the company and the employees and is committed to doing anything he can to keep those jobs and bring people back as soon as possible.

In the call, Rockefeller also reviewed support and benefits to help workers and their families, including Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and unemployment benefits which were extended under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Source: Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV