In March 1998, the ITC will hold a hearing to consider its final ruling on the antidumping portion of the trade suits. Keystone's three-year labor contract with the union runs from May 1996 to May 1999. The contract provides for no increases in wages, pensions, or benefits, although the hourly workers do have a profit-sharing plan. In the early '80s, the workers took a 10-percent pay cut. The mid and rod mills have new work rules and manning requirements.
Workers now run more strands and operate three, rather than two, drawing machines in the mid mill.
Now Keystone operators are expected to maintain their equipment and do housekeeping. Several material-handling departments in the rod mill were combined into one. Keystone employs 1,900 total employees in its several locations, including 300 salaried employees at Peoria. Productivity varies throughout the Peoria mill, from 1 manhour per ton at the rod mill to 5 mpt in the nail-making operation. Keystone is focusing on boosting productivity both by investing in the new equipment and by reducing the number of employees, primarily by attrition.