Jan. 31, 2006 — AK Steel Corp. announced that members of the United Steelworkers of America (USW), Local 1915, had ratified a new labor agreement with its wholly owned tubemaking unit, AK Tube LLC.

The new three-year contract covers about 150 hourly production and maintenance employees at AK Tube’s Walbridge, Ohio, facility. AK Steel said the agreement includes a ratification bonus, wage increases, a gain-sharing plan and significant new workforce flexibility and healthcare cost-sharing.

"We are very pleased that AK Tube and the USW have reached agreement on a contract which provides competitive wages and benefits for employees, as well as workforce flexibility and healthcare cost-sharing," said James L. Wainscott, Chairman, President and CEO of AK Steel.

The new contract expires on January 25, 2009.

Headquartered in Walbridge, Ohio, AK Tube LLC manufactures electric resistance welded (ERW) carbon and stainless steel tubing for a variety of applications, primarily in the automotive and truck exhaust markets. In addition to its Walbridge facility, AK Tube LLC operates a facility in Columbus, Ind.

Headquartered in Middletown, Ohio, AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products, as well as carbon and stainless tubular steel products, for automotive, appliance, construction and manufacturing markets.