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 Steelworkers 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 Key Staff Representative, Santo Santoro, and the Severstal
Wheeling Inc. Director of
Labor Relations, Robert Narrish. All of the nine companies in
the Basic Steel Agreement negotiated by the International have the ICD programs
in their contracts, as do three major rubber companies. 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 and rubber 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 Severstal Wheeling Inc. 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
plant programs.
The LJC must submit an annual training plan to the USW
and Severstal Wheeling Inc.'s 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 for the Ohio Valley Plants (Steubenville,
Yorkville, Martin's Ferry and Beech Bottom) 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. The program assistant, Lynn Busic, 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 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.
The ICD Center typically has an annual Education Fair. Most educational providers in the valley send representatives to be available for student questions. The schools have display booths to provide information about their programs. The staff and LJC are also available to discuss the programs.
Who will have access to my educational records?
Everything that you do at the ICD Center is completely
confidential. The staff does not disclose information about your progress
to either company or union officials. Only paid employees have access to your
information.