Indiana AK Steel Workers Join UAW

DETROIT, March 6 -- By a margin of 118-88, workers at AK Steel's finished rolled steel plant in Rockport, Indiana have voted to the join the UAW. The vote took place on February 25 and was certified by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on March 5.

In September 2002, a majority of the more than 450 workers at the AK Steel mill in Coshocton, Ohio also voted in favor of UAW representation.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger welcomed the Indiana AK Steel workers into the UAW, but said it was unfortunate that both campaigns were characterized by intense pressure against union supporters on the part of company management.

"Despite management attempts to persuade them otherwise, workers at AK Steel have spoken loud and clear: They want a voice in the decisions that affect their lives," said Gettelfinger. "We're ready to write a new chapter in the history of labor relations at AK Steel, by working with management to negotiate a contract that is fair for workers and the company."

The organizing victory, said Gettelfinger, was a total team effort involving UAW members from all across the state of Indiana, with strong support from Terry Thurman, Director of UAW Region 3, which includes the states of Indiana and Kentucky.

"Voting yes for a union is a good choice any day of the week, no matter where you work," said Thurman. "AK Steel workers decided that given what is going on in their industry right now, they definitely wanted a say in helping their employer be more successful, and making their own jobs more secure."

"AK Steel workers in Indiana and Ohio demonstrated courage and creativity in overcoming very heavy-handed anti-union campaigns," said UAW Vice President Bob King, who directs the UAW National Organizing Department. "These workers are as tough as the steel they make."

UAW organizing campaigns at AK Steel, said King, received strong backing from unionized workers at other plants owned by AK Steel, including the Armco Employees Independent Federation (AEIF) and the Butler Armco Independent Union (BAIU) in Butler, Pennsylvania.

"The support we received during these two campaigns from Ed Shelley, president of AEIF, and Jim Gallagher, president of BAIU, was really tremendous," said King. "We look forward to working with them to keep AK Steel strong and win good contracts that help workers, families, and communities."