The United Steelworkers (USW) today condemned Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) for locking out approximately 1,600 experienced union members across two bargaining units, calling the move an aggressive escalation that threatens worker safety, undermines labor rights, and disrupts communities across northern Indiana.
The lockout impacts members of USW Local 12775, known as the physical unit, and Local 13796, which represents clerical workers. The affected employees were willing to stay on the job performing critical work to maintain safe and reliable energy services throughout the region, but NIPSCO management chose to lock them out instead.
The company’s actions come amid ongoing disputes over the increased use of outside contractors, a mandatory overtime acceptance rate, and potential limitations on work continuity during outages — all of which present serious safety concerns.
“This lockout is a reckless decision that puts profits ahead of the welfare of our communities,” said USW International President Roxanne Brown. “USW members keep this system running safely and efficiently, but instead of bargaining in good faith, NIPSCO chose to shut them out and double down on proposals that would erode job security and jeopardize safety for workers and the public alike.”
“NIPSCO has pushed to expand contracting out of work that should be done by experienced union members, threatening the jobs that feed our families and power our communities while raising questions about training, oversight, and accountability,” Brown said. “At the same time, the company demands excessive overtime acceptance rates that would further strain workers who already face long hours and unpredictable schedules, which would create dangerous conditions in an already demanding industry.”
USW District 7 Director Mike Millsap said that the union has also raised concerns about the company's dismissive attitude toward union-driven safety proposals, which gives the impression that the negotiations are focused more on profits than on protecting workers and public safety.
The USW is calling on NIPSCO to end the lockout immediately and return to negotiations with a commitment to reach a fair agreement that respects workers, protects safety, and maintains reliable service for Indiana residents.
“Our members want to do their jobs and serve their communities,” Millsap said. “This dispute can be resolved if the company obeys the law, negotiates with us in good faith, and bargains for a fair contract.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply, and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech, and service occupations.
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