It is reported that OAO Severstal's newly purchased WCI Steel Inc operations in Ohio have been added to the list of North American sites facing potential layoffs.

Mr Ron White VP of United Steelworkers union Local 1190 said that he understands WCI and the Sparrows Point plant have been added to the list of locations that will have to deal with layoffs.

It may be noted that Severstal executives were in meetings finalizing their plans, with between 700 and 800 layoffs estimated at a variety of locations, including most, but not all, of the former Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corp operations.