Labor Board Agreement Prohibits Picketing By Local 169

20 January 2000

Labor Board Agreement Prohibits Picketing By Local 169

    MIDDLETOWN, Ohio--Jan. 19, 2000--AK Steel said today that the USWA and its Local 169 have signed a settlement agreement in a National Labor Relations Board case that prohibits the union from attempting, by picketing or other illegal activity, to force Mansfield, Ohio area hotels and other businesses or persons from conducting business with AK Steel.
    The agreement is a result of an unfair labor practice charge brought by AK Steel against the union last fall, which caused the Labor Board to issue a formal complaint against the USWA and Local 169. Some of the picketing activity occurred at Mansfield area businesses including the Holiday Inn and Comfort Inn.
    The agreement, signed January 18 by the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO, states in part:
    "We will not, by picketing or threats of picketing, threaten, coerce, or restrain any person engaged in commerce or in an industry affecting commerce, where an object thereof is to force or require Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, County Security, Inc., M.A.D.I. Inc. or any other person engaged in commerce, to cease doing business with AK Steel Corporation or any other person."
    As part of the agreement with the Labor Board, the union must notify the Regional Director of the NLRB within five days of signing what steps the union has taken to comply with the agreement.