Middleby union claims lock-out

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dailyherald.com/business/story.asp?id=314508

Middleby union claims lock-out

Manufacturer of kitchen ovens denies locking workers out of Elgin plant

By Michael Sean Comerford
[e-mail]
Posted Saturday, May 19, 2007

Union workers at Middleby Corp.’s Elgin plant took a strike vote on Wednesday and picketed with strike signs on Thursday, but on Friday they said “lock-out” is a better way to describe what happened to them.

Teamsters Local 714 members on Friday said they were locked out of the plant on Thursday, so they picketed.

Locked-out workers can apply for unemployment compensation.

A manufacturer of kitchen ovens for chains like McDonald’s, Middleby denies locking workers out of its Elgin headquarters on Thursday morning.

“But they are not telling the truth, we have pictures of chains on the fence,” said Gino Rodriguez, a union representative. “We would go to work Monday morning if they would agree to continue negotiations.”

Middleby maintains it’s a strike.

FULL story at link.