February 22, 200718 yr Isn't it somewhat odd that a Fortune 500 company is going to be leasing space...I would think that most own their properties. Maybe this is a telling sign that even the WC location may just be temporary as they wait for a buyout. :|
February 23, 200718 yr In Cincy of the fortune 500 companies. Ashland leases, Omnicare leases, Federated owns, 5/3 owns, Cinti Financial owns, Western Southern Owns, American Financial leases. I think it is about half and half. It depends on how old the building is sometimes or what the cost structure of the company is
February 23, 200718 yr Not sure how you can mention Cincy without Procter & Gamble or Kroger...both of which own their headquarters. So 6 own, 3 lease...but it is the smaller guys that lease. The big dogs have their stake!
February 23, 200718 yr Middletown can learn from move OPINION PIECE | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER February 23, 2007 Don't wake up, Middletown. The nightmare is getting worse. AK Steel, coming up on the one-year anniversary of having locked out its 1,800 hourly employees from its Middletown plant, announced Feb. 20 that it will move its corporate headquarters from Middletown to West Chester. Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/02/26/editorial1.html
February 24, 200718 yr Owning or Leasing means absolutely nothing. Well to put it this way, I would much prefer to have my Fortune 500 company owning their property and having a vested interest in the community rather than leasing their space where there is no long-term commitment whatsoever. You HQ could be large or small, but I expect the big guys to own their place...and set up some roots. Just like the home ownership v. rental situation.
February 24, 200718 yr Owning or Leasing means absolutely nothing. Well to put it this way, I would much prefer to have my Fortune 500 company owning their property and having a vested interest in the community rather than leasing their space where there is no long-term commitment whatsoever. You HQ could be large or small, but I expect the big guys to own their place...and set up some roots. Just like the home ownership v. rental situation. I understand your point, and it definitely would give them a more vested influence in the area but it is not like companies who own have never moved their HQ. For Example, US Bank owns their building downtown but they moved the HQ from Cincy years ago. However, to support your point, even though the HQ moved, they did maintain a significant presence in the city.
March 7, 200718 yr Please excuse the posting of some backstory on this topic. I promise that newer developments with AK Steel will be posted in a more timely manner! :-D From the 1/11/07 Middletown Journal: AK Steel modifies contract proposal again By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, January 11, 2007 Representatives from AK Steel Corp. and its locked-out hourly workforce met Thursday for about two hours, when the company presented the union with another modification to a proposal that's been on the table since mid-October. During the first negotiation session in approximately two weeks, AK Steel further changed its Oct. 19 contract proposal, which was offered following the union's second attempt at ratifying a contract. The latest modification to the proposal includes addressing union concerns regarding return-to-work physicals, the company said. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/11/mj011107akweb.html
March 7, 200718 yr From the 1/12/07 Middletown Journal: Union rebuffs offer from AK By Dave Greber Staff Writer Friday, January 12, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Representatives from AK Steel Corp. and its locked-out hourly work force met Thursday for about two hours, during which the company presented the union with another modification to a proposal that's been on the table since mid-October. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/12/mj011207ak.html
March 7, 200718 yr From the 1/20/07 Middletown Journal: Sheriff asks Gov. Strickland to help to end AK lockout By Dave Greber Staff Writer Saturday, January 20, 2007 Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones this week sent letters to Ohio's new governor and senator to intercede in the lockout at AK Steel Corp.'s Middletown Works. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/20/mj012007sheriff.html
March 7, 200718 yr Both from the 1/26/07 Middletown Journal: AK officials snub Ohio's new governor Steelmaker refuses to meet with Strickland and union officials; Gov. requested Saturday meeting in Middletown. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Friday, January 26, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Officials from AK Steel Corp. have refused to meet with Ohio's new Gov. Ted Strickland, city and county leaders and union representatives to discuss the nearly 11-month lockout at Middletown's largest employer. Members of Middletown City Council, Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones and spokesmen from AK Steel and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers confirmed a call from the governor's office Thursday afternoon requesting a meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday in Middletown. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/26/mj012607strickland.html Strickland cancels visit to Middletown to discuss lockout By Dave Greber Staff Writer Friday, January 26, 2007 Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has cancelled his visit to Middletown, where he, City Council members, county officials and representatives from AK Steel Corp. and its hourly work force union were scheduled to discuss the nearly yearlong labor dispute. Councilmen Anthony "Tony" Marconi, David Schiavone and Jim Armbruster, each of whom were planning to attend the Saturday morning meeting, received calls this morning from Strickland's office that said they intended to reschedule the discussion. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/26/mj012607stricklandweb.html
March 7, 200718 yr Both from the 2/1/07 Middletown Journal: Sheriff, U.S. senator meet, talk about AK lockout Jones: Sherrod Brown's involvement 'may include visit to Middletown.' By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, February 01, 2007 Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones made good on an earlier promise Wednesday about keeping a statewide focus on the lockout of hourly employees at AK Steel Corp.'s Middletown Works. Jones, who has remained vocal about ending the nearly yearlong lockout at the city's largest employer, met with U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Wednesday morning while visiting Washington, D.C., to participate in the National Sheriff's Association committee meetings. During his 30-minute meeting with Brown, Jones said the senator committed "to do whatever he can in trying to bring the matter to a successful conclusion," according to a news release from the Butler County Sheriff's Office. Brown also indicated that his level of involvement could include a visit to Middletown, the release stated. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/01/mj020107brown.html Machinists probe forgery, theft allegations at union hall Locked-out AK Steel workers report alleged misuse of defense fund money. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Friday, February 02, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and its local lodge are investigating reports of several thousand dollars in defense fund checks allegedly forged and cashed by locked-out AK Steel Corp. employees during the past five months. The Machinists began its investigation earlier this week when some union members said their tax forms reported dozens of checks that had been cashed, but never received. The Machinists Local 1943, locked out of AK Steel's Middletown Works since March 1, have been receiving $150 each week from the international's defense fund in exchange for picketing the steelmaker's gates and performing various duties at the Crawford Street union hall. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/02/mj020107akweb.html
March 7, 200718 yr Both from the 2/3/07 Middletown Journal: Union pays for damage to AK sign By Dave Greber Staff Writer Saturday, February 03, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — The union representing hourly workers locked out of AK Steel Corp.'s Middletown plant since March 1 paid the company more than $4,000 for damages done to its main entrance sign this fall. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/03/mj020307akgate.html Union hall president: Alleged thefts 'not widespread' By Dave Greber Staff Writer Saturday, February 03, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — As investigations continued Friday into the alleged misuse and possible theft of thousands of dollars in union benefit money to locked-out AK Steel Corp. employees, the leader of the Middletown union hall said incidents are few. "It's not widespread," said Brian Daley, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1943. "We've had a few (members) come in and ask questions and verify a few things." Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/03/mj020307checkfolo.html
March 7, 200718 yr From the 2/18/07 Middletown Journal: Refining the definition of 'Rumor Mill' for AK workers Online community for AK Steel workers a lifeline for many during lockout. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Sunday, February 18, 2007 At a time when their work environment was crumbling around them, and the necessity for communication was growing ever more important, a group of AK Steel Corp. hourly employees created their own community. Three days after being locked out of AK Steel's Middletown Works March 1, 2006, members of the then-Armco Employees Independent Federation designed The Rumor Mill, a virtual community at therumormill.info. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/18/mj021807communication.html
March 7, 200718 yr From the 2/26/07 Dayton Business Journal: Lockout nears one-year mark AK Steel moves headquarters, 300 employees from Middletown Dayton Business Journal - February 23, 2007 by Tracy Kershaw-Staley DBJ Staff Reporter Nearly one year ago, AK Steel Corp. workers picketed all night outside the company's gates, huddling around fires to keep warm in the cold March night. Newly locked out of their plant, most of the hourly workers likely wouldn't have bet the labor dispute would drag out for the next 12 months. Read more: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/02/26/story1.html
March 7, 200718 yr From the 2/27/07 Middletown Journal: Union to hold lockout remembrance event By Dave Greber Staff Writer Tuesday, February 27, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the lockout at AK Steel Corp., union members are asking the community to not forget the plight of the nearly 1,800 steelworkers locked out of Middletown Works. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 is gathering supporters for a remembrance event at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the union's Crawford Street headquarters. "The cost to the community and the families has been devastating," said Butler County Commissioner Michael Fox. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/27/mj022707unioneventprv.html
March 7, 200718 yr All from the 2/28/07 Middletown Journal: AK worker sees potential to lose it all By Dave Greber Staff Writer Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Brian Lanier of Franklin Twp. spent more than 16 years working in the temper mill at AK Steel Corp.'s Middletown Works. He spent the past year locked out of the local steel plant — searching for hope and a new job. And he spent Monday afternoon filing for bankruptcy. "This, right here, is the breaking point for me," Brian Lanier said as he and his wife, Charla, filled out paperwork in the waiting room of a Springboro attorney's office in advance of filing Chapter 7. "Short of winning the lottery, we would never catch up without this." Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/27/mj022807unionlanier.html For another locked-out family, bond gets tighter during trying times By Dave Greber Staff Writer Wednesday, February 28, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Sacrifices are as common among locked-out employees of AK Steel Corp. as mud on the picket lines outside Middletown Works. Some are apparent, smudged on the surface like hardened skin. Others are hidden beneath the straw of everyday life, buried by humility. Savannah Geier of Trenton knows about sacrifice. She's 12. But at 12 is there anything larger than things like friends, cheerleading and Christmas? Savannah's father, Jeff, has been locked out of Middletown Works for a year, and after 365 days worth of challenges, she would say with a confident smile: Yes. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/28/mj022807uniongeier.html AK lockout highlights Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Lockout begins — Negotiators for AK Steel Corp. and its hourly work force union fail to come to an agreement by midnight Feb. 28. Locked-out steelworkers take to eight picket lines around Middletown Works. Earlier that same day, the first union members are seen being escorted out of Middletown Works and the mill's blast furnace is shut down for maintenance. First negotiation session — The two sides came together for the first time post-lockout March 4, 2006. Bargaining is brief, and the two sides agree to meet again the following Monday. There have been more than 100 negotiation sessions since. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/27/mj022807akhighlights.html
March 7, 200718 yr All from the 3/1/07 Middletown Journal: Union may end 'growing pains' and financial hardship By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Machinists' lead negotiator James Smith walked into AK Steel Corp.'s general office Tuesday morning holding a lengthy document he hoped would put nearly 2,000 people back to work for the next four and a half years. It was nearing the end of a grueling six-month process for the Machinists — and more than a year for the locked-out employees of Middletown Works. By the time he walked out of the office of James L. Wainscott, AK Steel's president, chairman and chief executive, Smith had a tentative agreement — the closest to a deal the union and company have been since its labor contract expired at midnight Feb. 28, 2006. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107akunions.html AK CEO calls local leaders Many community officials show surprise and relief to news the lockout may soon end. By Ed Richter Staff Writer Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — With a tentative agreement signed between AK Steel Corp. and its locked-out union, the steelmaker's top executive made personal calls to local officials. Middletown Mayor David Schiavone said he received a call from James L. Wainscott, AK's chairman, president and CEO, who told him it was time for the community to recover from events of the past year. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107akreax.html Proposal calls for guaranteed 40-hour work weeks Tentative agreement also prohibits any reference to temporary replacement workers. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — For the first time in more than a year, a unionized hourly work force could be taking the helm at Middletown Works. Should rank-and-file members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 approve the tentative agreement reached Wednesday by AK Steel Corp. and the union, they would begin returning to the plant March 15. It will be the first time in 63 years union members inside the steelworks will not be represented by the Armco Employees Independent Federation. Locked-out workers voted in July for the Machinists representation. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107akreturn.html Locked-out workers await ballots, contract details Tentative agreement is subject to ratification by rank-and-file union members. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — When confronted with questions about the tentative agreement reached between AK Steel Corp. and its locked-out hourly work force's union Tuesday, rank-and-file members had a common response. They wanted to know how close it was to the company's Oct. 10 "final" proposal and how different it was from the company's Oct. 19 offer. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107akanalysis.html Don't celebrate end of lockout yet; consider the cost of the past year By Rick McCrabb Columnist Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — This morning, before you order that "Congratulations for surviving the AK Steel lockout" cake, consider how you're going to pay for it. Steelworkers, the backbone of this community, haven't worked in Middletown Works since they were locked out at midnight on Feb. 28, 2006. On Wednesday — one day shy of the one-year anniversary of the work stoppage — a tentative agreement on a new contract was reached between AK Steel Corp. and its hourly work force union, the company announced. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107mccrabbta.html Timeline of lockout at AK Steel Corp. Staff Report Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Nov. 30, 2005: Negotiations begin between AK Steel Corp. and representatives of its largest union, Armco Employees Independent Federation. January 2006: The company begins training salaried workers for hourly jobs while bargaining sessions continue. Feb. 19: AEIF authorizes union leaders to strike if necessary. In a two-day vote, 2,368 AEIF members voted for strike authorization and 56 opposed authorization. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107aktimelinenew_1.html
March 7, 200718 yr All from the 3/2/07 Middletown Journal: Machinists send out contract ballots By Dave Greber Staff Writer Friday, March 02, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — In the next few days, members of the International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 1943 will begin receiving documents that could put them back into Middletown Works by mid-month. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/02/mj030207akvoting2.html Tentative AK pact will not affect current retirees CARE President Michael Bailey says retirees group not taking a position on contract. By Ed Richter Staff Writer Friday, March 02, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — The announcement of a tentative agreement being reached between AK Steel Corp. and its largest union at the Middletown Works Wednesday was welcome news for the city and the nearly 1,800 locked-out workers. However, the agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers won't affect current retirees, according to company and union representatives. The Rev. Michael Bailey, president of the Concerned Armco Retired Employees, said its lawsuit against AK Steel remains pending in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/02/mj030207akretirees.html AK Steel stock jumps on reports of tentative contract Stock climbs to $23.38 Thursday but closes down 32 cents at $22.81. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Friday, March 02, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — AK Steel Corp.'s stock price leapt nearly $3 Wednesday, the same day the company reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with its largest union. The Curtis Street-based steelmaker's stock closed Wednesday at $23.13 after reaching a high of $23.83 during day trading on the New York Stock Exchange, and opening at $20.16. On Thursday, after hitting a daytime high of $23.38, the stock closed at $22.81, or down 32 cents. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/02/mj030207akstock.html AK worker: 'People are hungry' By Rick McCrabb Columnist Friday, March 02, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Many of the locked-out AK Steel Corp. workers haven't read the company's proposal or received their ratification ballots. That didn't stop one employee from predicting a landslide. "No way in hell this won't pass," locked-out AK Steel worker Will Chambers, 30, said Thursday afternoon while sitting in an enclosed shelter near the coke plant entrance. "People are hungry." Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/02/mj030207mccrabbak.html
March 7, 200718 yr Both from the 3/4/07 Middletown Journal: AK Steel unlocked What are lockout's lasting effects? By Ed Richter Staff Writer Sunday, March 04, 2007 As AK Steel Corp. becomes a leaner company with fewer employees, the city of Middletown will have to find more ways to stretch tax dollars and look for ways to enhance revenues or cut services and employees. Recently, Middletown City Council discussed how it would balance the projected shortfall in the 2007 budget, which may include making cuts proposed last year to the Division of Fire. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/04/mj030407akcity.html AK meetings draw questions, ire from union officials By Dave Greber Staff Writer Sunday, March 04, 2007 The president of the local union representing locked-out employees of AK Steel's Middletown Works declined to answer questions Saturday regarding whether he or the group's executive board would endorse the tentative agreement on a new contract. When prompted with the same question Wednesday when the union announced the tentative agreement on a new 54-month deal with AK Steel, President Brian Daley said he would leave it up to the membership to make their own decisions. During at least one of the three informational meetings held Saturday to discuss particulars of the proposal Daley was asked the same question from the rank-and-file. "He did not want to commit on anything," said Todd Frazier, a locked-out union member present at the 2 p.m. meeting Saturday. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/04/mj030407akmeeting.html
March 7, 200718 yr From the 3/4/07 Middletown Journal: AK's corporate departure reflects a larger trend Dayton economist: 'In terms of the tax base, it's an even more pronounced loss.' By Thomas Gnau Staff Writer Sunday, March 04, 2007 Even as the community hails a hoped-for end to the yearlong AK Steel lockout, another reality is beginning to sink in. Middletown has lost the base of its sole Fortune 500 company. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/04/mj030407traumasII.html
March 13, 200718 yr From the 3/13/07 Middletown Journal: Deadline to receive AK ballots today Union representatives will tally votes Wednesday, with results to be released as soon as they are finished. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Tuesday, March 13, 2007 CINCINNATI — Federal labor officials today are receiving the last of more than 1,700 ratification ballots from members of AK Steel's locked-out union. A spokesman for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943, whose members have been locked out of Middletown Works since March 1, 2006, said the number of submitted ballots has been high. After more than a year of failed negotiations — and little progress during the past two months — a tentative agreement between AK Steel and the Machinists was inked Feb. 28. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/13/mj031307voteprv.html
March 15, 200718 yr Both from the 3/14/07 Middletown Journal: NEW: Lockout ends, steelworkers going back to work Machinists spokesman: "We have a deal!" By Dave Greber, Ed Richter Staff Writers Wednesday, March 14, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — After more than a year on the picket line, nearly 1,800 locked-out steelworkers at Middletown's AK Steel Corp. will be returning to work. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 overwhelmingly approved a 54-month deal with AK Steel by a vote of 1,275 to 226. Forty-four votes were excluded because they were deemed void or challenged by vote counters. The contract is en route from Cincinnati, where the vote counting took place, to Middletown where it will be signed this afternoon by union president Brian Daley and AK Steel officials. The contract, which goes into effect Thursday and runs through Sept. 15, 2011, will put all eligible union members back inside Middletown Works within 90 days. Recall letters will be going out to union members Thursday and workers could be called in for physicals and drug testing as early as Tuesday. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/14/mj031407akweb.html Will locked-out AK union return to work? By Dave Greber Staff Writer Wednesday, March 14, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — AK Steel Corp. and its union locked out from the Middletown Works should know today whether the yearlong labor dispute is over. Vote counting begins at 10 a.m. today for ballots mailed by the 4 p.m. Tuesday deadline in the third contract ratification vote after a tentative agreement was announced Feb. 28 — the eve of the lockout's one-year anniversary. Despite the mostly positive response from union voters — as heard from the picket lines and seen on membership Web sites during the past two weeks — both sides are not saying much — at least not until the vote results are in this afternoon. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/14/mj031407akfallout.html
March 15, 200718 yr All from the 3/15/07 Middletown Journal: Steelworkers start transition to work Contract calls for all eligible members to be back in the mill by June 12. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, March 15, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Starting today, members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 will begin the process of returning to Middletown Works after more than a year of being locked out by AK Steel Corp. Via mail or phone calls, the first group of eligible rank-and-file members should receive word to report to the local steel plant for physicals and training. It's not known how often, how many or in which departments union members will be returning to the mill. While Machinists officials said Wednesday the pace of recall could be 300 employees per phase, company officials were not specific. "It's going to occur in the safest and most efficient manner possible," said AK Steel spokesman Alan McCoy. "It's going to happen in a way that's going to accomplish our goal." Read more here: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/15/mj031507akreturn.html What people are saying about the Middletown Works deal Thursday, March 15, 2007 Here's what people are saying about the 54-month agreement between AK Steel Corp. and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943. Mark Sanders, locked-out worker: "I'm just so happy it's over. We've been waiting for this. We are ready to go back to work. It's been a long year." Shane Clayton, locked-out worker: "I'm happy, but disappointed at the same time because it's what we were forced to accept. I don't know what I'm going back to." Brian Daley, President of Machinists local lodge 1943: "This lockout left a wide path of destruction." Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/15/mj031507akquotes.html Commentary It's time to let the sun shine in By Rick McCrabb Columnist Thursday, March 15, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Three hundred and seventy-nine days ago — on a chilly night much different than Wednesday afternoon — AK Steel workers were locked out when their contract expired. From midnight Feb. 28, 2006, until 3:45 p.m. Wednesday when union president Brian Daley announced an agreement was ratified, may be remembered as the darkest period in this city's 216-year history. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/15/mj031507mccrabbak.html
March 17, 200718 yr Bottom line: They didn't want to be in Middletown. If they did, they would have worked with the city on an office complex at the east end, where there is plenty of land available. As for reuse? Well close to 600 employees will remain in the office complex. Not sure if in the new addition or in the older building. Could several of Middletown's smaller companies rent office space out of there? Cohen Brothers? Could MUM use portions of the building for classroom space? There is plenty of land in front of it. Could the whole complex somehow tie into the Middletown PaperBoard redevelopment?
March 22, 200718 yr From the 3/20/07 Middletown Journal: County commissioner urging AK to give $900K to city Middletown officials say that they have already lost about $600,000 from the lockout; company's move to West Chester to cost city at least $300K a year. By Candice Brooks Higgins Staff Writer Tuesday, March 20, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — If AK Steel Corp. can give $750,000 to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, it can spare $900,000 for the struggling city it is leaving behind after a yearlong lockout, said Butler County Commission President Gregory Jolivette. "If they've got that kind of money to throw around then they can help the city of Middletown during this time of transition," said Jolivette, a former mayor of Hamilton. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/20/mj032007akjolivette.html
March 23, 200718 yr "I'd rather work out of the old classical building myself " I totally agree. I used to clean that old classic building on college breaks back in the early 1980s. I'm from Middletown, and the rest of the family still lives there.
March 27, 200718 yr From the 3/23/07 Middletown Journal: Union receives profit sharing from steelmaker By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, March 22, 2007 For the first time in two years, members of the hourly work force at AK Steel's Middletown Works are receiving profit sharing checks from the company. The nearly $3 million profit sharing agreement is part of the $7.7 million in settlements included in the contract adopted last week by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/22/mj032307akprofitshare.html
April 6, 200718 yr From the AP, 4/5/07: Union workers returning to Middletown mill First 250 people who had been locked out by AK Steel back on the job; no problems yet with replacement workers. By Terry Kinney Associated Press Thursday, April 05, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Production and maintenance workers who were locked out of AK Steel's Middletown Works for more than a year are returning to the mill in a smooth and trouble-free transition, union and company officials said Wednesday. "The only problem I really have is we've had people who were union people that crossed our line or retirees that have gone back in there and worked while we were locked out, and I don't really want to shake any of their hands," Jeff Blevins, a Machinists union member and an 18-year mill employee, said Wednesday. "I was trying to protect their benefits, and they were making money keeping me out." Read more: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/04/04/ddn040507aksteel.html
April 8, 200718 yr From the 4/8/07 Middletown Journal: Hunting and hoping for a happier year Families gather together for first time since lockout ended By Dave Greber Staff Writer Sunday, April 08, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Temperatures were below freezing Saturday afternoon when the children of AK Steel Corp.'s formerly locked-out union scoured Smith Park for the group's annual Easter egg hunt — at least the snow had stopped. Five thousand pastel-colored plastic eggs peppered the park's green grass, which had been made stiff after four days of April winter weather. It's the first time families of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 had gathered together in such a setting since a mid-March vote ended the yearlong lockout. And, although it was clearly time for fun on a brisk Saturday in the park, the lockout's lingering effects were still evident. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/08/mj040807unioneaster.html
May 8, 200718 yr "Shares of AK Steel rose 15 percent this morning this morning amid new speculation the Middletown steelmaker could be the target of an acquisition by Arcelor Mittal, the world’s largest steel maker. AK shares were trading at more than $37 each this morning after closing Monday at $32.06. The trading surge was sparked by an unattributed report on the Financial Times Web site Alphaville that Arcelor Mittal was planning to offer $40 a share, or about $4.5 billion for AK Steel. Spokesmen for AK Steel and Arcelor Mittal declined comment." http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070508/BIZ01/305080027/1076
July 14, 200717 yr From the 5/8/07 DDN: Analyst skeptical of bid for AK By Dave Greber Staff Writer Tuesday, May 08, 2007 Shares of Curtis Street-based AK Steel Corp. surged above 10 percent during mid-day trading today on the New York Stock Exchange amid an unattributed report the local company would be bought out by ArcelorMittal. According to the report from the Financial Times Web site, Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal — the world's largest steelmaker — has offered a $40-per-share bid for what some believe to be its U.S. rival. Such a bid would place the local steelmaker's worth at $4.5 billion. But some analysts weren't buying the report. "There's a lot of money out there chasing companies and AK is one of the ones that's attractive," said longtime steel analyst Charles Bradford of Bradford-Soleil Research this afternoon. Read more: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/05/08/mj050807akweb.html
July 14, 200717 yr Link contains a photo. From the 5/12/07 Middletown Journal: Union leader endured plenty AK Steel union chief says his relationship with Machinists' leaders isn't why he's stepping down. By Dave Greber, Ed Richter Staff Writers Saturday, May 12, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — A 13-month lockout at AK Steel Corp.'s Middletown Works from which less than half the original members emerged, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor into reported fraud and theft and as much accolades and support as criticism. That was 2006 — and a small portion of 2007 — for Brian Daley, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/05/12/mj051207daleyfolo.html
July 14, 200717 yr From the AP, 5/21/07: Unions open to takeover of AK Steel By Terry Kinney Associated Press Monday, May 21, 2007 CINCINNATI — With several years of labor peace nearly assured, AK Steel is an attractive takeover target in an industry where global giants keep gobbling up independent steelmakers, analysts say. Despite their affiliation with three different international unions — Machinists, Autoworkers and Steelworkers — some local presidents say they would work together to help facilitate a takeover. "On a local basis, we meet monthly, and we have the ability to speak as one voice," said Brian Daley, president of Machinists Local 1943. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/05/21/mj052107AKSteelUnion.html
August 15, 200717 yr I saw the sign on their new HQ building. Looks like all the rest in that area. AK Steel corporate staff's move to West Chester Twp. begins No plans have been revealed for the former headquarters, but the company has said it will stay involved in the city. By Tim Tresslar Staff Writer Saturday, August 11, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — AK Steel Corp. has begun moving 300 of its corporate staff from Middletown to West Chester Twp., according to Alan McCoy, vice president of government and public relations. The move, announced in February, to a newly constructed office tower at Centre Pointe Office Park in Union Centre should be completed within a week, McCoy said Friday. Full article link unavailable.
August 29, 200717 yr I guess it's time to change the name of this thread to "West Chester: AK Steel" AK Steel completes move to West Chester August 29, 2007 | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER WEST CHESTER TWP. - AK Steel Corp. said Wednesday that it has completed its headquarters move from Middletown to a new building in West Chester.
August 29, 200717 yr I guess it's time to change the name of this thread to "West Chester: AK Steel" :whip:
January 22, 200817 yr AK Steel income up $57 million in quarter Staff Report Tuesday, January 22, 2008 WEST CHESTER, Butler County — AK Steel reported Tuesday a $57 million increase in 2007 fourth quarter net income compared to the same reporting period in 2006. AK saw a 2007 fourth quarter net income of $106.7 million, or 95 cents per diluted share of common stock, compared to a net loss of $49.3 million, or 45 cents per diluted share, in the 2006 fourth quarter. Read more: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/01/22/ddn012208akearnsweb.html
January 22, 200817 yr And some more... AK Steel to pay $75M to pension fund early Staff Report Tuesday, January 22, 2008 AK Steel Corp. said Tuesday that its board of directors authorized the company to make an early $75 million contribution to its pension trust fund. Read more: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/01/22/ddn012208akweb.html
March 25, 200817 yr Coal plant meeting set Some Monroe residents fighting factory BY MIKE BOYER | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER March 25, 2008 MIDDLETOWN - A rezoning request that could pave the way for a controversial $300 million coke-making plant will come before a special meeting of the city's planning commission at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
May 8, 200817 yr So AK wants a Coke plant built in a residential neighborhood. It let's the city know it is considering moving 75 jobs out of the city... and next think you know... the city council votes unanimously to rezone the coke plant land over the objections of 300+ local residents.
May 21, 200817 yr From the Middletown Journal: City responds to Garden Manor lawsuit By Jessica Lander-Heffner and Denise Wilson MIDDLETOWN — The city's law director said Middletown was within its rights to rezone land to make way for a new $340 million coke plant and plans to file a response to Garden Manor Retirement Village's lawsuit. "The city believes it took all the correct procedural steps and was in all its rights to rezone the property at the last city council meeting," said Les Landen, city law director. Read more here: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/05/20/mj052108lawsuitreax.html
June 4, 200817 yr A good deal all around! From the Middletown Journal: Warren County to buy Armco Park from AK Steel Warren will foot $1.4M of $4.4 million sale price. By Justin McClelland TURTLECREEK TWP. — Warren County commissioners agreed to purchase Armco Park for $4.4 million from AK Steel Corp. "We're very pleased to be able to keep this beautiful piece of property as a park and to make it available to all residents, free of charge," said Warren County Commissioner Pat South. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/06/03/mj060408armcopark.html
June 4, 200817 yr Oh cool! Ashland has an Armco Park as well, and it was deeded over to the county decades ago. I wonder how many other cities have these?
June 4, 200817 yr I wonder if it will stay a park for very long. I was at a meeting last summer where the county planners were discussing road usage in the area, and had Armco park painted over as residential. I think the county will keep it recreational, however. They are looking for 2 spots right now - one for a Performing Arts building, and one for a sports complex (soccer fields, etc). I think the Armco Park site will become the sports complex. However, the county's first choice for the PerfArts building, a 500 acre site south of the the prison that was deeded to the Cincinnati Zoo, is now in doubt. The deed (actually, the Will) to the Zoo specified that the land be used in a certain way. So far the Zoo has not done that, and the heirs are contesting it in court. The first ruling went the zoo's way. The county was positioning itself to acquire the land from the heirs had the ruling gone the other way. With that possibility blocked, the county could put the Performing Arts building at Armco park. They have opening postulated that.
June 4, 200817 yr The county is vigorously pursuing all large land tracks near I-75 at this time. I suspect they will buy (directly or thru the Port Authority) every 80+ acre farm that comes on the market. Then they will sell it to the developers of their choice. That seems to be their modus-operandi right now, and they have all but said so. With the ODNR involved, can the county still build a performing arts center on the site? Turtlecreek township has a park directly across the street from the Armco Park. It's the town's only park, and is about 10-15 acres. I wonder if Turtlecreek township will sell its park to the county now, to be turned over to developers? Or maybe the county will purchase it for the P-Arts center.
June 4, 200817 yr Is Warren cty that anti-park? It seems like something that a growing cty should be investing in.
June 4, 200817 yr Apparently you have not sat thru the meetings of the Warren County Planning board. They are taking a very dictitorial approach to the area. Together with Butler county, they have identified the land on either side of I-75, for a distance of approx 5 miles, and labeled it the I-75 Corridor Project. Several studies have been commissioned to see how best to commercialize this area. Their intent, basically stated at their meetings, is to allow only commerical development in that area. Residential and non-commercial will be reserved for the land further from I-75. They have gone so far as to create a Commercial Overlay for zoning purposes, which will allow a developer to flip the land from non-commercial to commercial without have to go thru a formal zoning request process. Basically, they are setting things up so that developers can buy all the farm land, and all the housing in the area, and immediately designate it as commercial zoning. This commercial zone extends away from I-75 as far as Armco Park (sr 741 is the tentative border, with Armco Park just inside it). This process by the county is being done over the loud objections of the residents of the area. When I mentioned to a planning board member that they were selling us (the residents) out, he shrugged his shoulders and said "well, yea, if you want to look at it that way". Those were his actual words. I protested further and he said the Young, the newest county commisionar, ran on a pro-jobs platform and that's what he is going to deliver, apparently over the objections of the residents of the area. This is strong central planning ala Soviet Union style, going on in Warren County right now. This thread is not the place to discuss this, but central planning has pros and cons. The pros are that you get a coordinated effort so there is some consistancy to the area. But a big con is that the central planners can act like Dictators, and dictate what is going to be done with the land, over the objections of the nearby residents. This is what is happening in Warren county at the moment. Residents protest and protest, but the county will not listen. Residents are not anti-development, but want to know how the county plans to protect them in the commercialization process, how it will buffer them. The county, meanwhile, producesses 10 year plans that show all current housing removed and replaced with businesses. So I'm not paranoid, as many of you are concluding. The commissioners of the county, and the planing board they have hired (in many cases, hired away from Butler county and are the same people who put together the Union Road area of Westchester) have made it perfectly clear that they don't give a damn about the residents near the interstates, and wish they would just go away. That is why the people of Turtlecreek township petitioned the township to take zoning back fromthe county and to create their own zoning plan. The petition was successfull, and the zoning plan is underway.
June 4, 200817 yr If Armco Park is just inside their commercial zone then it could act as a buffer from residential to commercial. Sounds like a decent plan as far as the 5 mile I-75 commercial zone, but well established neighborhoods should not be disturbed as long as they are well maintained. Develop the undeveloped land before removing the residential.
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