The Associated Press

ASHLAND, Ky.

Saturday, September 09, 2000

ASHLAND, Ky. – AK Steel has reached an agreement with the United Steelworkers of America at its Ashland plant, the company announced Friday.

The 5-year contract was ratified by union Local 1865, the company said.

Under terms of the contract, which affects about 900 hourly production and maintenance employees, base wages would rise by $2 per hour during the next five years. Pension and health care benefits also would increase, the company said.

Union officials could not be reached for comment late Friday.

About 97 percent of the local’s members ratified the contract, which was tentatively agreed to on Sept. 1, the company said.

The contract expires Sept. 1, 2005.

The Ashland Works includes one blast furnace, a steelmaking and continuous casting shop and a hot-dip galvanizing/galvannealing line.

The company also operates a coke plant in Ashland at a separate site. AK Steel employs 1,450 hourly and salaried employees at its Ashland steel and cokemaking operations.

The company produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products for automotive, appliance, construction and manufacturing markets, as well as standard pipe and tubular steel products.

The company is based in Middletown, Ohio.