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Benefits may boost picket presence
Locked-out workers now eligible for $150 per week.
By Dave Greber
Staff Writer
The union representing about 2,100 hourly workers locked out of AK Steel Corp.’s Middletown Works plant hopes new weekly benefits will increase its presence on picket lines.
The Armco Employees Independent Federation/International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1943 international status will allow them to pay union members $150 per week for their participation in picketing the company’s nine entrances.
In addition to forming a new picket committee, the union has formed a new election committee.
The new committees were formed because some former members also participated in bargaining sessions, and “they need to be focused on negotiations,” Tyler said.
Since the recent announcement, “we have been inundated with people coming in (to the union hall) to sign up for picket duty,” said Jim Tyler, spokesman for the AEIF/IAM.
In the past month, pickets, especially along Yankee Road and Roosevelt Boulevard, have been getting sparse. Tyler attributed the recent drop in numbers to a lack of contract talks between the union and the company and members finding other employment.
Union members are eligible for picket duty benefits if they sign up at the Crawford Street hall between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Assignments will be made on a first-come first-serve basis.
Negotiations update
Following a week hiatus from contract talks — during which the company said it was awaiting certification of the former independent union’s international status — both sides have said negotiations could resume this week. As of Monday night, no talks had been set.
What else?
The AEIF/IAM Local 1943 has scheduled a membership meeting for 4 p.m. Thursday at the Disabled American Veterans hall, 4610 Trenton-Franklin Road. Carpooling is suggested because parking is limited.
The lockout of 2,134 hourly workers at AK Steel’s Middletown Works plant is in its sixth month. AK officials said Monday 66 union members retired in July.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2840 or dgreber@coxohio.com.
