The AK Steel plant in Ashland, Ky., is being “idled,” leaving in excess of 600 workers out of a job, a union leader confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

Mike Hewlett, president of the United Steelworkers Union 1865, of Ashland, said AK Steel corporate executives advised him of the development during a 2 p.m. meeting this afternoon.

“They’ve not given a date when they might start it back up,” Hewlett said. “They’re going to keep a minimum work force.”

He said 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.

What created this situation?

“The economy is shot to pieces right now,” Hewlett said. “We’ve got to deal with the leftovers of George W. Bush. We’re hoping there are things we can do. It depends on what they send us.”

Hewlett said 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.

Plant manager Phil Fultz and Alan McCoy, AK Steel vice president of government and community relations, did not return telephone calls about the idling.

AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products, as well as carbon and stainless tubular steel products, for automotive, appliance, construction and manufacturing markets.

The corporation, headquartered in Middletown, has facilities in Ashland, Ky., Middletown and five other cities in Ohio.