The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that an independent arbitrator has ordered AK Steel (NYSE: AKS) to abandon plans to shut down its Ashland, Ky. plant and lay off about 750 workers and instead look at cutting production elsewhere because the USW's contract contains a provision to prevent its members being laid off while other plants are operating.

USW International President Leo W. Gerard said that he's proud to be the leader of a union that fights for its members and added a warning to employers that the USW will continue to enforce its contractual protections, no matter what market conditions are or how difficult economic times become ... more