Ohio Members Ratify New Contract at AK Steel

Local 1943 President D. Scott Rich answers questions about contract terms during a ratification meeting, where members voted overwhelmingly to approve the three-year accord.

Members of Local 1943 in Middletown, OH, employed by AK Steel ratified a three-year agreement that was set to expire in September of this year.

The accord features across-the-board wage increases, increased contributions to the IAM National Pension Fund and more than $3.5 million in contributions to future retiree health insurance premiums.

The contract also provides a $1,500 signing bonus for each member and establishes a company-funded, jointly-administered Maintenance Training Program with a full-time Union Training Director.

“We made strong gains in seniority provisions and the members were extremely pleased with the language and economic areas of the contract,” said Local 1943 President and Directing Business Representative D. Scott Rich. “Since joining the IAM nearly five years ago, we availed ourselves of the resources, training and experience our Union offers to improve our relationship with AK Steel and help negotiate this contract.”

“This contract stands as a strong example of what collective bargaining can accomplish in difficult economic times,” said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr. “Not only did this negotiating committee secure improvements in economic and non-economic areas, they also prevented the kind of unilateral cuts in health care and pensions that are so common in non-union workplaces. I congratulate the committee and the membership on their achievement.”

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