Union representing AK's Middletown workers vote to strike

The union representing 2'600 hourly employees at AK Steel's Middletown Works has voted to authorize a strike, as time is running out for the company and the workers to agree on a new contract. Members of the Armco Employees Independent Federation voted, with a 98 percent approval rate, to have the option to strike if a new contract is not agreed upon by the time the old contract expires, March 1, 2006. Negotiations for a new contract began on November 30. AK Steel hopes to negotiate a cost-competitive contract by February 28. As of press time, Armco could not be reached for comment. Located in Middletown, Ohio, the Armco Employees Independent Federation represents the production, maintenance, service, and office workers at AK Steel Middletown Works (formerly Armco Steel Co. LP, Middletown Works). Middletown Works is the nation's most productive integrated steel operation. Its carbon steel melting, casting, hot and cold rolling, and finishing operations, including a state-of-the-art hot strip mill equipped with pair-cross rolling technology, cover more than 2,791 acres.