Jan. 21--GRANITE CITY -- Amsted Rail will lay off 206 more workers in March.

The Granite City steel foundry, formerly known as ASF-Keystone and originally known as American Steel, has filed a notice with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity about the layoffs.

No official from the Granite City plant or the company's Chicago-based headquarters could be reached for comment Tuesday.

This will be the third wave of recent layoffs at the plant, which specializes in casting steel components for railroad cars. Last month, the company filed another notice with the county about plans to lay off 363 employees by Feb. 16. According to department executive director David Stoecklin, the company currently employs about 1,000 and has struggled with economy and low oil prices. In November, the company cut almost 100 employees.

"It's going to leave a pretty light crew, considering where they started from," Stoecklin said.

The layoffs have already affected those with the least seniority, or less than three years. Maurice Frierson is worried. He has worked at the steel refinery for past three years.

"I'm trying to fight for my job," said the 23-year-old St. Louis resident.

Mel Carrico said his job is secure, for now. "But it's still not good," said 47-year-old machinist from Granite City and 15-year employee.

Electrician Steve Neff said the series of layoffs have slowed production and lowered morale.

"A lot of people have slowed a lot," said Neff, a three-and-a-half-year employee from Collinsville. "They're not giving 110 percent. They all talk about being laid off."

But fellow plant electrician Don Street has seen this before in his seven years at the plant. He anticipates employees will be called back to work when the economy picks up. He said the company's reputation and worldwide clientele separates it from others.

"It will come back," said Street, 55, of Bethalto. "It's just a matter of time."

Stoecklin is concerned with the Madison County economy, much of which is tied to industry. He said he recently read that projected layoffs in Madison County will reach more than 2,500 after March.

"That's a lot of very good paying jobs and decent wages and benefits... coming out of Madison County," Stoecklin said. "It's crucial to our economy. We're getting hit awfully hard right now."

Contact reporter Will Buss at wbuss@bnd.com or 239-2526.

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