Mr Mike Hewlett president of United Steelworkers Union 1865 said that AK Steel plant in Ashland is being idled, leaving in excess of 600 workers out of a job. He added that AK Steel corporate executives advised him of the development during a meeting recently.

Mr Hewlett said that "They have not given a date when they might start it back up. They are going to keep a minimum work force."

He said that he was waiting on paperwork from the corporate office with specifics about the idling and the layoffs. He said he will know more once he gets the official paperwork. He added that "The economy is shot to pieces right now. We have got to deal with the leftovers of George W. Bush. We are hoping there are things we can do. It depends on what they send us."

Mr Hewlett said that various departments within the steel plant have been shut down in the past, as recently as the 1990s, but none of the previous activity was as serious and involved as many people as this latest one.