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                                                                   Exhibit 10.26

April 15, 1999

Mr. Jack Hockema
30041 Saddleridge Drive
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Dear Jack:

This letter will extend your current Employment Agreement for two years beyond
the current expiration date of December 31, 1998 to December 31, 2000. Also,
your Employment Agreement will be modified as outlined below:

-        Your annual base salary will be raised to two hundred sixty-five
         thousand dollars ($265,000) effective January 1, 1999.

-        You will participate in the Engineered Products Business Unit 1999 and
         2000 annual incentive plans with an annual target incentive opportunity
         of one hundred thirty-five thousand dollars ($135,000) and will not
         participate in the EVA incentive compensation arrangement set forth in
         your Employment Agreement.

-        You will participate in the Engineered Products 1997-1999 and 1998-2000
         Long-Term incentive plans, with an incentive target opportunity of two
         hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) and will not participate in the EVA
         incentive compensation arrangement set forth in your Employment
         Agreement.

-        For both the annual and long-term incentive plans the Engineered
         Products plan multiplier will be used to calculate your award, however
         your target will not affect the award pool as it applies to other
         participants.

-        Your automobile allowance will be increased to nine hundred dollars
         ($900) per month, effective January 1, 1999.

-        The "Growing the Business Bonus" will be modified per Attachment I to
         provide a method for calculating a lump sum payment in the event of a
         transfer or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
         Engineered Products to a party not controlled by MAXXAM, Kaiser
         Aluminum Corporation or Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation. In
         cases other than a sale or transfer, the "Growing the Business Bonus"
         will be applied as set forth in your Employment Agreement.

-        For clarification purposes in calculating the "Growing the Business
         Bonus" as it pertains to Attachment I and your Employment Agreement,
         Engineered Products Ebit and net assets will be the reported Ebit and
         net assets adjusted as follows:

                  (a)      Certain 1997 AKW and restructuring adjustments
                  (b)      Amortization of Newark strike costs from 8/15/98
                           through 8/15/2001

-        You will participate in the "Enhanced Severance Protection and Change
         of Control Benefits Program" as described in the letter set forth in
         Attachment II.

Except for the above modifications, all other conditions of your Employment
Agreement remain unchanged.

Sincerely,                               Agreed To and Accepted By:


/s/ Raymond J. Milchovich                /s/ Jack A. Hockema
Raymond J. Milchovich                    Printed Name  Jack A. Hockema
President and Chief Operating Officer    Title Vice President, President EP
                                         Date 4-18-99

                                  ATTACHMENT I

If during the period January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2000 all or
substantially all of the assets of the Engineered Products Business Unit are
sold to a party not controlled by MAXXAM, Kaiser Aluminum Corporation or Kaiser
Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, the "Growing the Business Bonus" will be
calculated as follows:

-        The performance through the date of the sale or transfer shall be
         determined as follows. Note that the "plan" amounts are the specific
         threshold, target and maximum amounts or percentages, for both
         Engineered Products and KAC, as agreed to in the original 1996
         agreement. Refer to Example I.

-        If the sale or transfer is in the year 1999, performance will be
         determined based on the ratio of actual year to date 1999 performance
         to plan for Engineered Products (EP) EBIT, EP EBIT RONA and KAC EBIT
         RONA, and applied to the remainder of the 1999 and 2000 year periods.
         The average multiple is determined after applying such ratio to the
         plan for each of the components, for each of the years.

-        If the sale or transfer is in the year 2000, performance will be
         determined as: (a) for the year 1999, the actual performance against




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         plan for EP EBIT, EP EBIT RONA and KAC EBIT RONA; (b) for the year 2000
         the ratio of actual year to date EP EBIT, EP EBIT RONA and KAC EBIT
         RONA, is applied to the remainder of the 2000 year. The average
         multiple is determined based on the actual performance against the plan
         for the year 1999 and the applied performance against the plan for the
         year 2000.

                                    EXAMPLE I
J. Hockema - 1999 Agreement - "Growing the Business Bonus" Example For
Illustration Only

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       EP         EP EBIT       KAC EBIT
                                      EBIT         RONA           RONA        Totals
<S>                               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Plan - 1999                       $    65.0          20.0%           8.0%
Plan - 2000                       $    85.0          20.0%          11.0%
Net Assets                                      $   240.0     $  1,600.0

SCENARIO 1 - SELL 6/30/99
Estimated Actual to 6/30/99       $    25.0          10.4%           3.0%
Plan at 6/30/99                   $    32.5          10.0%           4.0%
Ratio Actual to Plan                   76.9%        104.0%          75.0%

"Applied" Performance 1999        $    50.0          20.8%           6.0%     ratio x plan
"Applied" Performance 2000        $    65.4          20.8%           8.3%     ratio x plan
Award multiple 1999                   0.750         1.080          0.461         (1)
Award multiple 2000                   0.778         1.080          0.666         (1)

Average multiple 1999 - 2000          0.764          1.08          0.564
Weighting                                25%           25%            50%
Total weighted multiple               0.191          0.27          0.282            0.743
Target                                                                      $       600.0
Total Award                                                                 $       445.8

SCENARIO 2 - SELL 6/30/00
Estimated Actual 1999             $    50.0          20.8%           6.0%    assume same as above
Award multiple 1999                   0.833         1.080          0.461         (1)

Estimated Actual to 6/30/00       $    34.0          14.2%           4.0%
Plan at 6/30/00                   $    42.5          10.0%           5.5%
Ratio Actual to Plan                   80.0%        142.0%          72.7%
"Applied" Performance 2000        $    68.0          28.4%           8.0%     ratio x plan
Award multiple 2000                   0.811         1.925          0.666         (1)

Average multiple 1999 - 2000          0.822         1.503          0.564
Weighting                                25%           25%            50%
Total weighted multiple               0.206         0.376          0.282            0.864
Target                                                                      $       600.0
Total Award                                                                 $       518.4
</TABLE>



(1)      As per original agreement - plan EP EBIT RONA 1999 is $65 million, and
         2000 is $85 million. EP EBIT RONA plan target is 20%. KAC EBIT RONA
         scale based on award matrix C from original Corporate Lti programs
         (with 15% as plan target), and multiple based on actual performance
         against that year's plan performance.



                                  ATTACHMENT II

                                  April 15,1999

Mr. Jack Hockema
30041 Saddleridge Drive
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Dear Jack:

I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected for coverage under the
Enhanced Severance Protection and Change of Control Benefits Program ("Plan")
for selected corporate officers.

As you know, Kaiser Aluminum is pursuing a strategy that could lead to various
forms of corporate restructuring. In that connection, the Plan was developed and
is being made available to selected key officers. The purposes of the Plan
include all of the following:

        -         Retention of top-performers and those with critical skills
                  both pre and post restructuring;

        -         Provision of appropriate protection to business unit
                  management in the event of job loss and/or a change of
                  control, 1 and

        -         Maintenance of focus by management on key goals and
                  maintenance of overall energy level through a potentially
                  distracting period.
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This letter sets forth the basic provisions of the Plan which, subject to the
limits explained below, is being offered to you in conjunction with other
benefits that otherwise may be payable to you under the Kaiser Aluminum
Termination Payment and Benefits Plan Continuation Policy ("Policy"). For
example, if you become eligible for 6 months under the enhanced severance part
of the Plan and you already have earned 3 months severance under the Policy, you
would receive 3 months severance from the Policy and 3 months severance from the
Plan.

The Plan will be in effect through the end of the 2000 calendar year, unless
earlier amended or terminated by the Compensation Committees or Boards of
Directors of Kaiser Aluminum Corporation and Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical
Corporation. No amendment or termination of the Plan will adversely affect your
right to receive benefits provided under the Plan without your written consent.
After the year 2000, management will determine the need for any other protection
or enhanced severance programs.

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(1)  See page 3 for definition of "change of control".


ENHANCED SEVERANCE PROTECTION

Under the enhanced severance protection features of the Plan, you will qualify
for such severance benefits if you are terminated for any reason except for the
following exclusions:

         1.       You voluntarily resign or retire.

         2.       You are discharged for serious cause or other reason
                  prejudicial to Kaiser Aluminum.

         3.       You are eligible for sick leave, LTD or KRP full early
                  disability benefits. Or, you were eligible for sick leave or
                  LTD benefits and (i) you did not report back to work
                  immediately after your eligibility for such benefits ceased,
                  or (ii) you were not medically released to work at the time
                  such benefits ceased.

         4.       You refuse to accept another suitable position with Kaiser
                  Aluminum. Suitability is determined in accordance with
                  guidelines established from time to time by the personnel
                  policy committee.

         5.       You terminate employment on account of death.

In the event that your employment terminates and you qualify for enhanced
severance protection under the Plan, such benefits will be as follows:

         -        12 months base salary,

         -        Prorated incentive awards (prorated incentive target for all
                  short and long term incentive programs in progress at
                  termination).

         -        Continuation of your coverage under medical, dental, life and
                  AD&D coverage by Kaiser Aluminum(2) as if your employment had
                  continued uninterrupted for up to 12 months. You must continue
                  to pay your monthly medical and life insurance contributions
                  (if any) for this coverage to remain in effect.

         -        Payment of your automobile allowance for the number of the
                  severance months.

CHANGE OF CONTROL

In the event that your employment terminates or constructively terminates
(described below), due to a change of control or significant restructuring,
during a period which commences ninety (90) days prior to a change of control or
significant restructuring and ends on the first anniversary of such change of
control or significant restructuring, in lieu of the enhanced severance
protection benefits described above, you will qualify for change of control
benefits.


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(2) As you will not actually be an active employee, your coverage under the
cafeteria plan, spending accounts for medical and dependent care expense
reimbursement and the LTD Plan will cease. Your eligibility for COBRA coverage
will commence after the medical continuation benefits cease, and the medical
continuation period is subtracted from your COBRA eligibility period.

Change of control or significant restructuring is defined as: The transfer of
all or part of the assets of, or the merger, consolidation or reorganization of,
Kaiser Aluminum to or with another organization or the transfer of all or part
of the stock of Kaiser Aluminum to another organization.

These benefits are payable as described below, if you are terminated or
constructively terminated due to a change of control or significant
restructuring, except for the following exclusions:

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         1.       The purchaser or new controlling entity or Kaiser Aluminum
                  offers you suitable employment in substantially the same
                  capacity and at your current level of compensation. This
                  exception will apply regardless of whether you accept or
                  reject the suitable position.

         2.       You voluntarily resign or retire.

         3.       You are discharged for serious cause or other reason
                  prejudicial to Kaiser Aluminum.

         4.       You are eligible, within the 90 days prior to a change of
                  control, for sick leave, LTD or KRP full early disability
                  benefits. Or, you were eligible for sick leave or LTD benefits
                  and (i) you did not report back to work immediately after your
                  eligibility for such benefits ceased, or (ii) you were not
                  medically released to work at the time such benefits ceased.

         5.       You terminate employment on account of death.

The change of control benefits under the Plan will be as follows:

         -        24 months base salary,

         -        Prorated incentive awards (prorated incentive target for all
                  short and long term incentive programs in progress at
                  termination).

         -        Continuation of your coverage under medical, dental, life and
                  AD&D coverage by Kaiser Aluminum(3) as if your employment had
                  continued uninterrupted for up to 24 months. You must continue
                  to pay your monthly medical and life insurance contributions
                  (if any) for this coverage to remain in effect.

         -        Payment of your automobile allowance for the number of the
                  severance months.

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(3) As you will not actually be an active employee, your coverage under the
cafeteria plan, spending accounts for medical and dependent care expense
reimbursement and the LTD Plan will cease. Your eligibility for COBRA coverage
will commence after the medical continuation benefits cease, and the medical
continuation period is subtracted from your COBRA eligibility period.

For purposes of the Plan, you will be deemed to be constructively terminated if:

         -        You are demoted, suffer a substantial reduction of position
                  responsibilities or a substantial change in reporting
                  responsibilities or reporting level;

         -        You are relocated more than fifty (50) miles from your present
                  office location, except for a promotion and / or mutually
                  agreed transfer; or

         -        You suffer a reduction of your base salary and / or total
                  incentive opportunity.

Payments of base salary and prorated incentive awards under the Plan shall be
made (net of withholding for federal, state and local taxes) in a single sum in
cash within thirty (30) days following your termination or constructive
termination of employment. You will be responsible for timely payment of any
additional taxes that may be due on the benefits received under the Plan. Should
you feel that you have reason to contest any settlement under the Plan, you may
do so by following the same procedures as apply to the Company's other severance
pay plans, as such claims procedures are incorporated in the Plan by this
reference.

Kaiser Aluminum shall have the sole discretion to determine which employees
shall participate in the Plan and their level of participation. Kaiser Aluminum
also has the authority to construe, interpret and implement the Plan (including
the right to make factual determinations) and to make rules and otherwise
administer the Plan, and its determination on any matter relating to the Plan
shall be conclusive and binding on all interested persons. To the extent not
preempted by federal law, the Plan shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Texas.

As part of your enhanced severance and benefit eligibility under the Plan for
the one year period following the termination of your employment, you shall not,
without prior written consent of Kaiser Aluminum, directly or indirectly engage
in the business of developing products competitive with Kaiser Aluminum within
the United States of America or any other geographical area served by Kaiser
Aluminum. Nor will you engage, within this geographical area, in the design,
development, distribution, manufacture, assembly or sale of a product or service
in competition with any product or service currently marketed or planned by
Kaiser Aluminum to the extent such activity would reveal the plans, designs or
specifications disclosed to you by Kaiser Aluminum. This paragraph does not
restrict your ownership of securities in any enterprise or participation in the
management of any non-Kaiser competitive aspect of any enterprise. By signing



<PAGE>   5


this letter in the space provided, you acknowledge that these prohibitions are
both reasonable as to time, geographical area and scope of activity and do not
impose a restriction greater than is necessary to protect Kaiser Aluminum's good
will, proprietary information and business interests. Additionally, your
signature below acknowledges your continued commitment to abide by the terms of
paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of your Employment Agreement as well as the
Corporate Code of Business conduct and Accompanying Compliance Manuals. If you
have any questions concerning your obligations under either of these documents,
please let me know.

Participation in the Plan will not give rise to any right to continued
employment, shall not in any way prohibit changes in the terms of your
employment and shall not in any way limit the right of Kaiser Aluminum to
terminate your employment at any time for any reason with or without stating a
reason.

Kaiser Aluminum may assign its rights and obligations hereunder. In such event,
such rights and obligations shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding
upon the successors and assigns of Kaiser Aluminum. Your rights and obligations
hereunder are personal, and such rights and obligations shall not be subject to
voluntary or involuntary assignment or other transfer by you and any attempted
alienation, assignment or other transfer of your rights or obligations hereunder
shall be void and without effect.

I congratulate you on your selection to participate in the Plan. It indicates
your importance to the performance of Kaiser Aluminum. I would also like to
thank you for your dedicated service and contribution to the past success of
Kaiser Aluminum, and look forward to your continued contribution.

If you have any questions regarding the Plan, please feel free to discuss them
with me, or call Bill Edgley, Director, Corporate Human Resources. If the
foregoing is acceptable, please indicate your acceptance by signing the
duplicate copy of this letter and returning the signed copy to the attention of
Bill Edgley at Kaiser Aluminum, 6177 Sunol Blvd., Pleasanton, CA 94566.

Sincerely,


/s/ Raymond J. Milchovich
Raymond J. Milchovich
President and Chief Operating Officer


AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:

/s/ Jack A. Hockema
Printed Name:  Jack A. Hockema
Title:  Vice President, President EP
Dated:  4-18-99