Parish in steel town tries to stay neutral in labor dispute

Published: 2006-03-28

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (CNS) -- The scene is an unfamiliar one in this southwestern Ohio steel town: Members of the Armco Employees Independent Federation stand around fire barrels with picket signs, protesting a lockout by AK Steel, the largest employer in Middletown. Since early March, when AK Steel management locked out 2,700 workers following the expiration of its labor contract, all eyes in Middletown ultimately come to rest at the site of the plant, formerly known as Armco International, acquired by AK Steel in 1999. While one other strike -- and lockout -- did take place in this city just north of Cincinnati about 20 years ago, that action lasted only five days. That lockout and the action this year mark the only time the steel plant has been involved in such labor disputes since its founding in 1901. Concern now is that the dispute between management and labor at AK Steel will last for a long time, according to Father John Civille, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Middletown.

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