United Steelworkers (USW) Union workers at AK Steel's Ashland, Kentucky coke plant have ratified a new three-year labor contract with the steelmaker.
The new contract replaces the current agreement set to expire on October 31 of this year, covering about 240 workers at the plant. It will start immediately and run through October 31, 2011.
"We are pleased that members of USW Local 8-523 have ratified a new agreement well ahead of the scheduled expiration of the former agreement," said James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and CEO of AK Steel. "This new contract continues to address AK Steel's need for competitive and flexible labor agreements."
The company says that the new contract provides the Ashland coke plant employees with competitive wages and benefits, including wage increases and a signing bonus.