AK Steel and USWA Reach Final Agreement at Mansfield
01/26/2004 -
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AK Steel and USWA Reach Final Agreement at Mansfield
Jan. 26, 2004 — AK Steel Corp. and the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) have reached agreement on all unresolved issues related to the collective bargaining agreement covering USWA-represented employees at the company's Mansfield Works in Ohio.
The USWA Perspective "Now we can move forward together with new President and CEO, James L. Wainscott, and his management team to meet the challenge of building a new spirit of respect for the contribution of our members to the past success of Armco Steel, a change that we believe will go a long way toward recognizing the respect they deserve at AK Steel," states USWA International President Leo W. Gerard. AK Steel (then Armco) locked out the members of USWA Local 169 the night before their previous contract expired on September 1, 1999, and operated the Mansfield facility with salaried personnel and temporary replacement workers until the first members of Local 169 began returning to the plant after AK announced the end of the lockout on December 10, 2002. "I'm most proud of our members and their families in Mansfield for the solidarity they demonstrated during times of unimaginable hardship," Gerard said. "They have endured the worst, and now they will have the opportunity to show the new AK management the skills and efficiency that produced record profits in the year before the lockout began." |
As part of the settlement, the company and the union have also agreed to dismiss all outstanding civil litigation arising from the labor dispute at the Mansfield Works, and to seek National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) approval for the dismissal of all NLRB charges against each other. The settlement is contingent upon NLRB approval.
"This historic settlement is the first big step in establishing the framework for a new, cooperative relationship between AK Steel and the USWA," said James L. Wainscott, President and CEO of AK Steel. "We have closed the book on our past differences and we look forward to a new era working together toward goals of mutual interest and benefit," said Mr. Wainscott.
AK Steel and the USWA said that many of the components of the Mansfield collective bargaining agreement had previously been agreed upon, including the expiration date of March 31, 2005. The company said that it has completed the recall of the 280 eligible USWA members necessary to meet current operational needs, and that all temporary employees have been terminated. The USWA reports that the settlement also includes an increase in return-to-work bonuses, credit for the Union members’ continuous service (seniority) during the period of the lockout, and resolution of the company's refusal to recall 23 employees.
Headquartered in Middletown, AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products for automotive, appliance, construction and manufacturing markets, as well as tubular steel products. In addition, the company produces snow and ice control products and operates an industrial park on the Houston, Texas, ship channel.
Source: AK Steel Corp. and the United Steelworkers of America
