Layoffs to begin Christmas Week at AK Steel Ashland Works

AK Steel plans to begin layoffs at its plant in Ashland, Ky., during the week of Christmas.

Scott Conley, President of USW Local 1865 said 615 to 620 people will be laid off and everyone should be out of the hot end of the plant by December 31.

AK Steel executives blame the layoffs on unfairly traded imports of carbon steel that have reduced order rates, production rates, shipment volumes and selling prices. Production will resume when market conditions improve, but that could be as long as six months.

Ashland Works employs 940 workers and not all will be laid off. In its initial announcement of the production cuts, AK Steel said it did not intend to idle the hot-dip galvanizing line that services automotive customers.