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Updated: 12:37 AM Nov 23, 2008
Out of Work and Out of Favor
Hundreds of steel workers knew it was coming, today they worked their last shift, and are now temporarily laid off.
Posted: 12:25 AM Nov 23, 2008Reporter: Amanda Goodman Email Address: Amanda.Goodman@wsaz.com |
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79 Comments 
ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Hundreds of steel workers knew it was coming, today they worked their last shift, and they are now temporarily laid off.
But what AK Steel employees didn’t know was how much flack they would get because of the help that has poured in for them.
So what was meant to be a helpful gesture has sort of backfired.
AK Steel employee John Akin says he is going to be able make it through the holidays thanks to the contracts the Union negotiated, and as he drives away from a job that may or may not may not be there in a few months he is heading into a community that cares.
But food drives, shopping deals, and even fast food discounts offered up to employees of AK Steel have others spitting mad.
“It’s a terrible situation and I read it on your blog, people say hey you know they deserve it, ya know no one deserves it,” said Steelworkers Union President Mike Hewlett.
Some feel these union men and women don't need the help because of their pay and benefits.
In fact wsaz.com has been over run by comments, mostly negative about the outpouring of support for laid off AK workers.
One posting by "hurting too" asks why only AK Steelworkers are benefiting from the food drive.
She says her husband was laid off from his job a year ago, but they did not get any discounts.
Another comment posted by "tired of it" points out that people have been on the streets for years but they are not being helped.
Hewlett says he understands their frustrations but that this in not the time to be critical because everyone is feeling the pinch.
“They're hurting, it’s Christmas time they don’t think that they've got much of a chance either but I would tell them we’re here for them too,” Hewlett said.
All of the more than 500 workers that were laid off will retain their healthcare benefits through February First.
AK Steel announced on November 11th they would be putting the blast furnaces at the Ashland Works Plant on “hot-idle” which means the furnaces will keep going although they are not producing steel.
The company says it plans to keep the plant closed until early to mid-January and says the slumping economy lead them to this decision.
Latest Comments
Nikki, you are right. If the Auto industry gets a bailout, AK steel will benefit but AK Steel workers will have to pay those same taxes too. My husband works for AK Steel here in OHIO we lived through the lockout, we lived modestly before it and now live very frugaly after it. All we want is to be able to afford our ONE car payment and our very modest little ranch which is home for our son and new baby. Yes the workers and families in Ashland will survive, those that don't will move out of state to make ends meet, families will split and local businesses will suffer. We're still recovering here from the 13 month lockout. Ashland may recover faster but only time will tell. All I can say is at this time prayers need to be said for everyone. The AK Steel workers, families and people of Ashland.
just put in for your bail out and the check will be in the mail.
The auto industry bail out will help AK workers. The price we will pay for all of the bail outs will come to tax payers. Just remember that as time goes on.
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