USW, AK Steel Reach Tentative Agreement at Ashland, Ky., Plant
08/12/2013 - The United Steelworkers (USW) have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with AK Steel covering 860 workers at the steelmaker's Ashland, Ky., facilities.
The agreement, subject to ratification from the members of USW Local 1865, would be in effect for 18 months, through 1 March 2015. The current agreement is scheduled to expire on 1 September 2013.
"This agreement represents a step forward for the workers at Ashland, and provides some stability for them and their families," said USW international vice president Tom Conway. "It's a short-term agreement, but that approach made sense given the current market conditions."
Specific details of the contract will be withheld until USW members are able to review and vote on the agreement. The union's bargaining committee has voted unanimously to recommend ratification, and members are scheduled to vote by 20 August.
