Milbank Manufacturing Co. on Monday locked out its employee members of United Steel Workers Local 13-07 from its Kansas City facility.

The lockout affected 194 union members whose contract expired at 12:01 a.m.

The company, which makes electrical metering devices, circuit boxes and electrical panels, generally runs two shifts a day. During the lockout, management said, supervisors, salaried and temporary employees will fill production roles.

“We are very disappointed with the union’s failure to ratify a fair contract and have contacted federal mediation to assist the parties with the dispute,” Lavon Winkler, Milbank president, said in a release.

A session with a federal mediator was set.

John Wiseman, subdistrict director for the steelworkers, said the union has filed unfair labor practice charges, including unlawful lockout charges.

“We want to make it clear that this is not a strike,” Wiseman said. “This is a lockout. We offered on Friday to continue working under the terms of the expiring agreement.”

The company said the proposed contract “offered competitive raises and benefits.”

Wiseman disagreed, saying a proposed increase in health care coverage costs was a major sticking point.

Management said the workers could avoid the first-year premium increase by signing up for a preventive health program.