Nwitimes reported that about 5 to 15 steelworkers have been huddling around burn barrels in the bitter cold outside Neo Industries in Portage to protest a proposal to lay off 10 union truck drivers.

Picketing worker Duane Bubba Jones said that "All we're trying to do is keep our brothers working."

United Steelworkers Local 2003, which represents workers at 42 different companies across Northwest Indiana, went on strike for the first time in six years after contract negotiations stalled.

Mr Carlos Luna Local president said that the union is willing to make concessions to save 10 of the 22 union jobs at the chrome plating facility but the company has been bargaining in bad faith.

Neo Industries, which has a plant on Willowcreek Road, grinds and puts chrome plating on rolls of steel for local mills, such as ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor. The company and union have been trying to negotiate a new 5 year contract since October and the current contract expired in November.

Mr Luna said that Neo offered minimal raises, but would cut the plant's workforce in half by getting rid of the truck drivers. The company also offered severance packages that were too small. Guys were offered USD 1,500, USD 1,000. That'll pay your bills for maybe a month.

Mr Kevin Walsh president of Neo Industries said that "It's a very unfortunate situation, and I know all the guys on strike. It's not affecting operations, and we're fulfilling our commitments."

Mr Walsh said that he could not comment on the negotiations because the National Labor Relations Board forbids him from doing so. I feel what we offered to the guys was very fair. It's just disappointing and unfortunate.