RMI workers picket Armstrong museum

The workers were banking on Armstrong's noteriety to aid their cause.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- A small group of titanium plant workers picketed a museum named after former astronaut Neil Armstrong and left petitions at his suburban Cincinnati home Thursday because he sits on the board of the company involved in a labor dispute.
Works against them
Experts say companies' practice of naming high-profile people to corporate boards sometimes can work against them by giving critics a way to grab public attention they might not get otherwise.
"The fact that he [Armstrong] is somebody of notoriety is going to bring out techniques like this," said TK Kerstetter, president of the Nashville, Tenn.-based Board Member Inc., which publishes Corporate Board Member magazine. "Doing the same thing with Mr. CFO who nobody knows isn't going to get much public notice or media attention."
Four workers from RMI Titanium Co. in Niles held banners and picketed for about 40 minutes outside the Armstrong Air & amp; Space Museum in Armstrong's hometown of Wapakoneta in western Ohio.
The workers say they have been locked out of their jobs for more than a year during failed contract negotiations.
The group, members of the United Steel Workers Union of America, later went to Armstrong's home in the Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill. When no one answered the door, they left petitions signed by 7,500 people in the Niles area asking that workers be allowed to return to their jobs at RMI while contract negotiations continue.
Armstrong could not be reached to comment. There is no listing for him in the Cincinnati-area telephone directory.
RMI connection
RMI, a subsidiary of RTI International Metals, manufactures titanium and specialty-metal products for commercial and military aerospace, defense, energy, chemical, industrial and consumer use.
Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, has a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Purdue University and a master's in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California.
USW spokesman Mike Zielinski said the 360 union-represented Steelworkers at RMI have been locked out of their jobs since October 2003, when the labor dispute began. He said RMI is seeking $3.5 million in worker concessions.
"The union has been flexible in willing to address some of the company issues, but the company has been inflexible," Zielinski said. "Mr. Armstrong is regarded as an American hero. We want him to know all the facts of what's going on and the hardship this is inflicting on this community. We're calling on him to be a responsible board member and do the right thing and help bring an end to this lockout."
Zielinski denied the action was a publicity stunt. He said workers intend to take similar actions against other members of the board.
RTI spokesman Richard Leone declined to comment. At the time of the work stoppage, RTI said it was offering a contract consistent with the competitive nature of titanium markets. It said operations at the plant were being conducted by nonunion employees.
Rudy Fichtenbaum, a Wright State University professor who specializes in labor economics, said such tactics by unions may become more common, especially in situations where strikes are ineffective.
"Anything that can help them get some attention," he said. "They're taking their case to the court of public opinion. That could help get them some sympathy, and that helps put pressure on parties involved in the dispute."