How
do I get in touch with the Director?
Who
is eligible to participate?
What
will it cost me to use ICD?
How will I know what is available?
Who
will have access to my educational records?
The ICD program at Severstal
Wheeling Inc is a negotiated contractual agreement between Severstal Wheeling Inc and
the United Steel Workers to provide educational opportunities to union
steelworkers. The program is a product to the labor agreement that was
negotiated by the USW. This benefit is unique to the Steelworkers.
The program is administered by the Director,
Nicole Balakos, for the workers of Severstal Wheeling Inc. She reports to a Local Joint
Committee (LJC) for the respective plants. The LJC's are a body of union and
management appointees who develop and monitor the program.
The LJC's take their direction from the USW
District 1, Sub-district 3 Staff Representative, Santo
Santoro. All of the ten companies in the Basic Steel Agreement negotiated by
the International have the ICD programs in their contracts. A national
administrative body, the Institute for Career Development is hired by the
Governing Board which is an appointed group comprised of union and company
officials from the participating steel companies. The Institute oversees the programs according to the guidelines established by the
Governing Board. These guidelines provide the framework under which each
program is obligated to work.
The funding for the program comes from an
annual allocation from WPSC. This allocation is based on $0.15 per hour worked
by each employee, as negotiated in the current labor agreement. From Severstal Wheeling Inc's annual budget, 10.8% goes straight
to the Institute for administrative charges. The remainder of the allocation is
divided among the plants.
Each LJC must submit an annual training plan
to the USW and Severstal Wheeling Inc officials
of the program. Once approved at that level, the training plans and supporting
operational budgets are submitted to the Institute for approval. Upon approval,
the training plan becomes the operational guide for that location for the year.
How do I get in touch with the Director?
The Director works from The George Becker
Learning Center at 1010 North Sixth Street (behind the Steelworkers Memorial at
University Blvd./Route 7) in Steubenville. The
telephone number is (740) 283 - 4800. A receptionist or the answering machine
will take a message if the Director is not available.
An eligible worker is able to attend courses at the location which offers the most convenient schedule and location for that worker.
Who
is eligible to participate?
All active status employees who are members
of the participating locals of the USW are eligible to participate in the
programs. To be considered an active status employee, a steelworker must be
currently working, or on an approved illness or injury leave. If an employee is
laid off, he or she maintains active status for ICD eligibility for two years
from the date of layoff.
When space permits, special provisions
are made to allow dependents and retirees to fill seats. Specific
information about this policy is available at the web site under the
non-employee eligibility section.
What will it cost me to use ICD?
The greatest cost to use ICD is the
commitment of personal time and dedication to an educational goal. Out of
pocket monetary costs for Customized Courses may include personal items such as
a notebook. Tuition Assistance students may incur the cost of any parking or ID
fees, graduation fees, tools, supplies, or software purchases necessary for a
course.
How will I know what is
available?
Employees will receive a periodic newsletter,
the ICD Educator, to their home address. This newsletter will outline
the program offerings. This newsletter is published before each new term of
Customized Courses. Additionally, each plant will have postings hung throughout
the clock offices, canteens, and common areas.
Who will have access to my educational records?
Everything that you do at the ICD Center is
completely confidential. The Director does not disclose information about your
progress to either company or union officials. Only paid staff has access to
your information.