Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. announced that the Titusville facility hourly employees have rejected a second collective bargaining agreement offered by the company. The company says the agreement included increased wages and other benefits.

Employees rejected the company’s initial offer and commenced a work stoppage at the Titusville facility on October 1, 2005. The most recent agreement expired on September 30, 2005.

Mac McAninch, President and CEO, commented: "We are sincerely disappointed with the outcome of today's vote and intend to continue to work with the union to get an agreement in place."

Hourly employees at Universal’s Titusville facility are represented by Local 7312-03 of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO – CLC.

Headquartered in Bridgeville, Pa., Universal Stainless & Alloy Products manufactures and markets a broad line of semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, tool steel and other alloyed steels. The company's products are sold to original equipment manufacturers, service centers, forgers, rerollers and wire redrawers.