Timeline of the AK Steel lockout
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Thursday, October 19, 2006
Nov. 30, 2005: Negotiations begin between AK Steel Corp. and representatives of its largest union, Armco Employees Independent Federation.
January 2006: The company begins training salaried and temporary replacement workers for hourly jobs while bargaining sessions continue.
Extras
Feb. 19: AEIF authorizes union leaders to strike if necessary. In voting Friday and Saturday, AEIF members voted 2,368 for strike authorization against 56 opposed to authorization.
Feb. 21: Some 3,500 videotapes are distributed to the homes of hourly and salaried employees — all showcasing a somber James Wainscott, AK's chairman, chief executive and president.
Feb. 24: Middletown Police Chief Mike Bruck invites law enforcement officials from agencies surrounding Middletown to a meeting for an "information update" on what could happen if officials from the AK Steel Corp. and Armco Employees Independent Federation don't reach an agreement.
Feb. 28: Dozens of employees are seen filing out of AK Steel ahead of the 3 p.m. shift change. Many are angry and curious as to why they have been asked to leave before the end of their shift. Third shifters are asked to hold off on coming to work.
March 1, 12:01 a.m.: More than 2,500 AEIF members are locked out of Middletown Works. Dozens are stationed to begin picketing. The first of almost eight months of barrel fires are lit.
March 1: Butler County Job and Family Services is inundated with calls from locked-out AEIF members regarding unemployment. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services begins the process of determining whether the dispute is a lockout.
March 3: The list of people lending a hand to AEIF members grows. Nearly 60 local residents, companies and others help provide AEIF members with services, free or discounted goods and other assistance.
March 4: Negotiators from both sides of the labor dispute come together for the first time since the beginning of the lockout.
March 7: The labor dispute between AK and the AEIF is now the longest of such work stoppages in Middletown Works' history. The company and union also meet for the second time, during which AEIF President Brian Daley offers for his men and women to go back to work while the two sides negotiate.
March 20: The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services holds a public hearing to review the AEIF's bid for jobless payments.
March 30: The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services rules the now 30-day labor dispute is a lockout.
July 25-28: An election is held for AEIF members to decide which union will represent them going forward. There were four choices: The AEIF, the International Association of Machinists, the United Steelworkers of America or no union at all.
July 28: 1,850 AEIF members vote for representation by the Machinists.
Sept. 1: Unemployment benefits begin expiring.
Sept. 6: Butler County Commissioners approve job training program for locked-out workers to learn skills other than those suited for work at Middletown Works.
Sept. 10-14: AK and the IAM/AEIF union meet three times.
Sept. 15: Lockout reaches 200th day.
Sept. 19: Union members march for the second time in as many weeks on City Hall; this time they are asking for city council's support to end the lockout. Council grants their requests, and also gives locked out workers a break on home. foreclosures.
Sept. 20: AK Steel files a preliminary injunction in Butler County Common Pleas Court because of what it calls "dramatically increased" picketing in Middletown.
Sept. 21: Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge Andrew Nastoff grants a temporary restraining order on picketing practices. Restrictions issued by the court include "mass picketing," threats, insults, obscene language or the obstruction of traffic in and out of Middletown Works; picketing within 50 feet of the nine gates around the plant; engaging in violence with AK Steel employees or damaging company property; and throwing debris near AK Steel gates.
Sept. 22, 2 p.m.: AK provides to the union — during a quick bargaining session — its final contract offer. The union now has until midnight Monday to make a decision.
Sept. 22, 3 p.m.: A U.S. Federal Court judge upholds a preliminary injunction freezing AK's ability to change retiree health care benefits on Oct. 1. The company appealed the judge's decision.
Sept. 23: Union members are openly frustrated by the company's final offer and the way it was communicated to them. Some union members are provided with copies of the return-to-work agreement and the final contract offer.
Sept. 25: Workers reject the company's "final" proposal 998-768. The results were not released until three days later. A total of 1,768 members cast ballots in the ratification vote, with two ballots declared invalid. The parties subsequently agree to a one-week "cooling-off" period.
Sept. 27: Union members abandon the plant's Wycoff gate entrance following complaints by the city's fire department that roofing nails placed near the entrance were causing damage to emergency vehicles.
Oct. 2: The company announces that 237 union members filed for retirement in September, 102 more than the second-highest month for retirement of 135 in February. The local union — which numbered nearly 2,700 in January — stands at 1,857 active members.
Oct. 3: The company and union agree to a second week of "cooling off," but come together once informally to discuss the next steps of negotiations.
Oct. 10: AK provides the union with a "clarified final proposal," which includes revisions on work guarantees, security and the union's pension plan.
Oct. 12: After receiving the union's counterproposal, the company sets an expiration date to is latest proposal of 10 a.m. Oct. 19.
Oct. 14: IAM/AEIF representatives announce another ratification vote set for Wednesday.
Oct. 18: Locked-out union members reject the latest AK proposal for a second time in less than a month.
