Steelworkers Sued

Thu., May 11, 2000

From Staff

An Ohio-based steel company contends the United Steelworkers of America union violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

In its lawsuit, which AK Steel Holding of Middletown, Ohio, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Ohio, the company says the USWA and AFL-CIO and some of their members have carried out, condoned or tolerated arson, bombings, acts of attempted murder and threats of rape against AK Steel employees and their families. The suit also lists Kaiser Aluminum in Spokane as one of several companies against which similar RICO violations occurred.

Scott Lamb, spokesman for Kaiser, said the company had no comment on the suit.

Steelworkers union spokesmen could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

AK Steel claims the USWA’s unlawful activity has caused millions of dollars in damages. Steelworkers who belonged to the local at the Armco Inc. plant in Ohio were locked out by the company on Sept. 1, 1999. That month, AK Steel acquired the plant and continued running it with the help of replacement workers.

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Steelworkers Sued

Jesse Tinsley

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