When General Motors Corp. closes its metal stamping plant in West Mifflin on Dec. 12, Jeff Hall of West Newton is hoping there still will be a jobs bank program to provide income for its laid-off autoworkers.

But, the controversial program that was designed to ensure a trained work force would be available when the Big Three automakers increased production after a downturn, may be on the chopping block as the Big Three automakers plead their case to Congress today for $25 billion in government loans to remain afloat.

“This deal with Congress scares me,” said Hall, 56, who is the financial secretary for the United Auto Workers Local 544, which represents about 100 workers who will lose their jobs when the plant closes. Hall, a maintenance man, said he is part of a skeleton crew that will continue working for a few months to maintain the plant.

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