MiddletownJournal.com

AK STEEL: LOCKOUT DAY 188

FACES OF LABOR

Finding a place during the lockout

MIDDLETOWN | Today marks 124 years of labor in the United States.

It also marks 188 days of no labor for Middletown and Butler County's largest workforce.

On this holiday, more than 2,100 people are locked out of AK Steel. That number has dwindled from the more than 2,700 workers when the lock out began March 1.

Roughly 151 million people make the up the nation's workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nationwide 15.5 million people belong to a labor union, according to the Census Bureau.

And, today some local union members stay on the picket line.

It's an oxymoron, said Ed Russell, a locked-out worker, who said he plans to be picketing today in front of one of Middletown Works' entrances.

As time wears on, locked-out workers are taking retirement and seeking other employment.

So today, while many in Middletown enjoy picnics, fireworks and barbecue, some locked-out workers said they will be working another job and be happy about it.

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Benjy Diesbach

Years at AK Steel: 17

Job at AK: No. 3 Blast Furnace Repairman

Current job: Owner of Yardbirds restaurant in Trenton

Benjy Diesbach has gone from steel to sauce, serving up his own special brand of homemade sauce. Diesbach opened his own restaurant in July. Yardbirds Southern BBQ, 932 W. State St., was an idea he had for more than a year prior to being locked out. "It's something I've always wanted to do, and it seemed like the time was right," he said. After 17 years with AK, he wasted no time kicking his plan to open his restaurant into high gear. "The night I got locked out, I was in here the next day working," he said. Diesbach said he will be laboring this Labor Day, as his restaurant will be open.

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James Stewart

Years at AK Steel: 11

Job at AK: Cold Strip Maintenance

Current Job: owner of C&C Garage Doors

When James Stewart said AK Steel shut the door on his job, a garage door opened. Just three months after being locked out, Stewart purchased C&C Garage Doors, a local company providing sales and service to Middletown and the surrounding areas. After 11 years with AK, Stewart said he left the company for "freedom." "So I can be in charge of my own destiny," he said. When the chance came to purchase the 11-year-old company from its original founder, he said he went for it. Stewart said he enjoys working for himself. He has no definite plans for Labor Day, but may be working "in case of emergency service."

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Lonnie Foster

Years at AK Steel: 32

Job at AK: Welding Instructor

Current Job: Instructor at Butler Technology and Career Development Schools.

In the last six months, Lonnie Foster's career has changed slightly. Foster went from instructing inside AK Steel, to teaching skills that are helping locked-out workers find jobs outside AK. Foster retired at the end of March. Now he instructs the Pre-Employment Construction Training Program, a 12-week program at Butler Tech. He credited Middletown businessman and native, Steve Hightower, with helping him land his new job. Foster said he feels lucky to have his new position. "I love my new job. I was very fortunate to get a new position after I left AK," he said. Of his Labor Day plans, Foster said, "I plan on being with family and friends."

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Jeff Shiflett

Years at AK Steel: 10

Job at AK: Crop Sheer in Hot Strip Mill

Current Job: Stocker at Kroger on Oxford State Road

Jeff Shiflett has been working in factories since he was 21. But, last week he donned a new uniform and worked his first shift at Kroger as a stocker. "It was a change of pace from the mill. Not as stressful as the environment I've been working in the last 20 years," he said. Shiflett said he is fortunate to work at Kroger, since he does not plan to leave AK Steel, where he has 10 years of experience. "After hearing all these guys talk about not being able to find a job, you feel fortunate to have any job," he said. As for Labor Day, he is used to working holidays. "You just work around your jobs," he said.