by MARK REUTTER

The possibility of mass layoffs at Sparrows Point, first reported by the Brew on Sept. 17,  is the subject of a front-page article in American Metal Market, a leading trade journal.

The article cites a memo from a union official saying that 580 union positions may be eliminated under a restructuring plan proposed by Severstal, the financially troubled Russian owner of the Baltimore county steel plant.

The article does not provide details about the proposed restructuring. The Brew reported that about 125 salaried jobs were terminated, effective September 30, as part of the restructuring. Several muted “parties” were held last week for departing employees, some of whom had put in 20 or more years at the mill.

Severstal is required by federal law to give advance notice if there is to be a mass layoff affecting 500 or more employees during a 30-day period. So far, such WARN notices have not been issued, and the company has declined to comment.

A former Baltimore Sun reporter, Reutter wrote “Making Steel: Sparrows Point” (2004) and keeps tabs on the steel industry atmakingsteel.com . He can be reached at reuttermark@yahoo.com .
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