Republic Announces Steelworkers' Ratification of New Contract

FAIRLAWN, Ohio (September 27, 2007) -- Republic Engineered Products, Inc., North America’s largest producer of special bar quality (SBQ) steel, today announced members of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers Union have ratified a new five-year labor contract.

The new labor contract, which runs through Aug. 15, 2012, covers nearly 2,000 workers at Republic’s Canton, Lorain and Massillon, Ohio; Gary, Ind.; and Lackawanna, N.Y. operations.

This agreement is based on a new partnership between Republic and the Union and provides our employees with improved wages and benefits while maintaining the flexibility to address changing market conditions.

“We’re pleased that our employees have ratified this new contract, and look forward to a positive new partnership with the Union in order to improve quality, eliminate waste and satisfy our customers,” said Jaime Vigil, president and CEO.

“We have the most experienced and skilled employees in the industry, and they are key to our continued success. We are now well-positioned to continue moving forward with our strategic initiatives to maintain our leadership position in the SBQ industry.”

Union and company negotiators reached a tentative agreement Aug. 16. Negotiations began in May 2007.

Republic Engineered Products, Inc., is North America’s leading supplier of special bar quality (SBQ) steel, a highly engineered product used in axles, drive trains, suspensions, fasteners, and other critical components of automobiles, off-highway vehicles and industrial equipment. With headquarters in Fairlawn, Ohio, the company operates steelmaking centers in Canton and Lorain, Ohio, and value-added rolling and finishing facilities in Canton, Lorain and Massillon, Ohio; Lackawanna, N.Y.; Gary, Ind.; and Hamilton, Ontario. Republic employs approximately 2,500 people.

Published on 2007-09-27

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