Steel maker considering layoffs at Kentucky plant

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – AK Steel is considering idling some operations at an eastern Kentucky plant and laying off hundreds of workers because of competition from imported steel.
The company on Friday said it intends to temporarily shut down the blast furnace and related steelmaking operations at its Ashland plant, which has 940 workers. The company says in a release that foreign imports are hurting sales orders.
The notice, required by federal law 60 days ahead of layoffs, did not say how many workers at the plant would be affected.
Scott Conley, president of the United Steelworkers Local 1865, says more than 600 union workers would be out of work if the shutdown occurs.
Last week, U.S. Steel Corp. proposed layoffs of 2,000 workers at its plant in Granite City in southern Illinois.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.