FOLLANSBEE -
With RG Steel continuing to work through bankruptcy hundreds of steel workers are facing layoffs.
About 200 workers have been laid off from the coke plant in Follansbee. Many have been employed with the company for more than 40 years.
Plant worker Mike Grimm says it is the first time since the 1980's that he is out of work.
"It's been very up and down for everyone who worked here," said Grimm. "It was a very good company. The last few owners haven't been that good."
Dozens of laid off employees learned Thursday the opportunities available to them. Some will have to be retrained and others will enter other industries.
"I'd just have to go run heavy equipment. I'd have to get a certificate," Grimm said. "If someone wanted an old war horse then I guess I'm their guy."
At the moment the coke plant is under partial shutdown with the main battery remaining open. Many of the steelworkers say they are hopeful of a new buyer purchasing the plant by the time proceedings wrap up on July 25.
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