AK Steel reaches tentative agreement with Middletown union

A tentative labor deal between AK Steel Corp and the union representing its Middletown workers was finalized Wednesday to settle the year-long lockout. Details of the tentative agreement have not yet been released. Members of Local Lodge 1943 of the International Association of Machinists, who voted twice to reject the company's offers last year, are needed to authorize the proposed contract. AK Steel Corp stated that the union will present the contract to its members for ratification, and the new agreement would be effective on March 15th, 2007 and expire on September 15th, 2011. Meanwhile, replacement workers and salaried employees will continue to operate the mill. The steelmaker's contract demands included a reduced work force, more schedule flexibility, and some cost-sharing of health care and retirement benefits. However, the union members said that they have already made sacrifices, while increasing production with a smaller work force. AK Steel mentioned Wednesday that the union membership at Middletown Works plant was 1,750, dropping from 2,700 a year ago because of retirements and resignations.