AK Steel Lockout Continues, Company Wants a "New Era" Labor Agreement

Calling for "fewer employees, fewer job classes, defined-contribution pensions and active and retiree health care cost sharing," AK Steel CEO James Wainscott continued to insist on locking out the Armco Employees Independent Federation (AEIF) union after its contract expired on March 1st in Middletown, Ohio. The union contends the lockout is seriously curtailing AK Steel's production and safety, and tried to influence stockholders on Wednesday to pressure the company back into negotiations.