SHELBY — Union workers didn’t let whipping winds stop them Friday morning as they marched through Shelby, chanting for solidarity and a fair contract outside the ArcelorMittal plant.

The march began at the union hall and moved toward the picket line along West Main Street, where striking steelworkers and supporters rallied together.

(Photos from the USW Local 3057 march from Union Hall to the picket line. Tim Burga and Norm Shoemaker speak at march. Credit: Hannah Martin. Story continues below the photos.)

‘One day longer, one day stronger’

About 450 members of United Steelworkers Local 3057 have remained on strike for almost two months. Union leaders from across Ohio joined them Friday to show support.

Tim Burga, president of the Ohio American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), addressed the crowd as picketers gathered near the plant.

“We’re here today to say an attack on one is an attack on all,” Burga said. “There is solidarity behind your stand.”

Burga said the community, labor organizations and workers across the state support their fight. 

“Stick together,” he added. “One day longer, one day stronger.”

“As a third-generation steelworker, I can assure you the Ohio AFL-CIO has your back,” he said.

At one point, Burga led the crowd in a chant echoing down West Main Street: “We are the union, the mighty, mighty union.”

Burga then pointed to the plant and asked a question.

“Who are the ones who make this place behind us go?” he asked.

“We do,” picketers shouted back in unison.

“We are the ones that create the wealth,” Burga said.

Along with Burga, Norm Shoemaker, president of Local 3057 and Mid-Ohio AFL-CIO, thanked everyone for coming out.

“They don’t need this reform, it’s clear – it’s not about money,” Shoemaker said. “This is about your insurance and work schedules.”

We’ll get through this together.

Norm Shoemaker, President of local 3057 and mid-ohio afl-cio

Strike stretches past 50 days

Friday marked 59 days since the strike started at the Shelby facility – officially beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 13, and picketing starting almost immediately afterward.

Steve Ackerman, an international representative for the United Steelworkers, previously told Richland Source the strike already ranks as the longest Local 3057 has had.

Negotiations between the union and ArcelorMittal started Sept. 2, 2025.

Ackerman said in previous reporting several key issues continue to drive negotiations, including proposed language changes in the contract, potential work schedule adjustments and health care coverage.

He highlighted the community support and workers — who he said are the backbone of the company.

“At least it’s good to see the community supporting them the way they are,” Ackerman previously told Richland Source.

While the strike continues, employees in the bargaining unit have lost their regular paychecks.

Their health insurance coverage also ended at the end of January, Ackerman said in previous reporting.

“We’ll get through this together,” Shoemaker said.

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