Dayton Daily News reported that employment levels are back to normal at Middletown Works as union officials report that AK Steel Corp. has recalled its final batch of workers on layoff. The recalls are attributed to the restart of the blast furnace as well as an increase in orders.

As per report “The company recalled the remaining 55 workers still idled last week. Those employees are going through a mandatory physical and orientation before re entering the plant.”

Mr Scott Rich president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943, which represents hourly works at Middletown Works, said that “In about two weeks, all workers should be back on the job.”

Mr Rich added that “We are not running what we are capable of running if we were going full out, but we have seen an increase in orders so we are headed in the right direction.”

Mr Rich said in May, close to 370 workers were on layoff locally.

A decrease in demand for AK’s steel products and a subsequent decrease in orders has affected employee levels at the plant for the majority of 2009.

There are 1,652 hourly workers represented by the Machinists at Middletown Works.

(Sourced from www.daytondailynews.com)