West Mifflin
By KRIS MAHER
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — As domestic auto makers consolidate operations with or without a government bailout, the closing of an aging General Motors Corp. metal-stamping plant here shows how blue- and white-collar workers have been treated differently, with the former faring slightly better.
Earlier this year, United Auto Workers union members at the suburban Pittsburgh plant had the option of taking early retirement, a buyout or transferring to another plant. Those who didn’t take one of the choices now face a layoff.
Under the union contract, laid-off hourly workers receive pay from GM to supplement unemployment insurance that brings their income to 72% of their gross pay. After 48 months, workers can enter a “jobs bank” and receive 85% of their gross pay, until another GM job opens up.
Salaried workers at the plant, meanwhile, had the option to transfer or take early retirement, but weren’t offered a buyout if they weren’t yet eligible to retire. A handful of salaried workers will lose their jobs when the plant closes this Friday and receive a severance package.
[ Full story available at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122878314147589917.html ]
By Joe Napsha
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
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.
[ Full story available at: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_600976.html ]
By The Tribune-Review
A former West Mifflin police detective reported to the Allegheny County Courthouse and was taken to jail Monday to begin his six- to 12-month sentence for his conviction of corruption charges.
Noel Missig, 40, of West Mifflin, a 12-year veteran of the force, was convicted by a jury in July of assaulting a juvenile suspect and lying about the seizure of video poker machines from a borough business. The jury acquitted him of charges he planted drugs during an arrest.
Missig’s family cried as sheriff’s deputies escorted him away. The case stems from an FBI and state police investigation that spanned four years and led to federal and state charges against former West Mifflin police Chief Frank Diener, who resigned in October 2005.
[ Full story available at: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_600994.html ]
By Karen Zapf
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Arson caused a fire in a second-floor classroom at West Mifflin Area High School, the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office said Monday.
West Mifflin police Chief Joseph Popovich criticized the district for waiting 3 1/2 hours to notify police about the fire.
“The school board needs to address the issue of notifying the proper authorities when something happens,” Popovich said. “They need to reinstruct their staff on the proper procedures and protocol when there’s a fire in a school.”
Popovich said a janitor discovered the fire around 3 a.m. Monday. Janitors work in shifts and are in the school at all hours.
[ Full story available at: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_599983.html ]
Thursday, November 20, 2008
By Mary Niederberger, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The economy is down and bus routes have been reduced, but officials at Century III Mall are keeping their fingers crossed for a healthy holiday shopping season.
Last week, the U.S. Commerce Department announced that retail sales dropped by 2.8 percent in October, the largest amount on record, with sales of everything from autos to furniture to clothing taking a hit.
One week earlier, the Port Authority announced that it was cutting bus service to Century III Mall, starting Sunday, potentially keeping shoppers away from the West Mifflin complex, which already is dealing with some 30 empty storefronts.
[ Full story available at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08325/929199-55.stm ]
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A collection of news articles focused on the communities of Pittsburgh’s Steel Valley.