Toledo Blank workers locked out in dispute

4/19/2003

After being on strike since July, Toledo Blank, Inc.'s, 60 unionized workers have been locked out of the Fearing Boulevard steel processing plant for two weeks.

Members of Teamsters Local 20 accepted a company contract offer extended a month ago, but have been unable to return to work, said Bill Lichtenwald, the union's president. Workers were paid $10 to $11 an hour at the plant.

Toledo Blank referred calls to the company's attorney, who could not be reached for comment yesterday. The plant is operating with a skeleton crew, Mr. Lichtenwald said.

The strike resulted from a dispute over health insurance changes and a company-proposed wage freeze.

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