MINERAL RIDGE RMI workers continue vigil during holiday

Union workers have manned the informational pickets since Oct. 26.
THE VINDICATOR
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
MINERAL RIDGE -- For almost two months, the workers at RMI Titanium have held their vigil outside the company's gates in Weathersfield Township.
As motorists drive by, waving and honking in support, and while the rumblings of giant machinery can be heard coming from the buildings behind them, the members of United Steelworkers of America Locals 2155 and 2155-7 sit.
Each day, 10 to 12 people huddle around fires to keep warm and dry for four hours at a time, manning the informational pickets. And Christmas Day will be no exception.
"We decided to have sign-ups and make Christmas Day completely voluntary," said Frank Reno, a member of the union's negotiating team and a 24-year employee of the company. "It really surprised us how many people signed up. We don't want to be here, but we will be here for as long as it takes."
RMI workers would normally have this week off to spend time with family and to prepare for the holidays, Reno said, but instead they take turns every four days or so manning the pickets.
Making ends meet
Workers have sat outside the company's gates since Oct. 26, when company officials declined to let them into the buildings after the union rejected the company's last contract offer.
While company leaders called the situation a work stoppage, the state department of Job and Family Services ruled the situation a lockout, making about 400 employees eligible for unemployment benefits.
Reno said while the unemployment money helps some, not all workers have been able to make ends meet for the past two months.
"We do have an assistance committee that is helping a few people here," Reno said. "And some of our workers had to go out and find other jobs in order to provide for their families."
Despite not being able to collect their full salaries during the holidays, though, Reno said most workers continue to remain upbeat.
"Everything's going pretty good actually," he said. "We've got a lot of community support this time, and other [union] locals are really helping out as much as they can."
Reno said the union had its annual holiday party for children of workers last week, and while the turnout was a little lower than past years, the mood was still festive.
Workers will remain outside the company through the holidays and until company and union officials meet for a contract negotiating session Jan. 7, Reno said.
"We want to go back to work," Reno said. "We are ready."
slshaulis@vindy.com