FOR ALMOST A YEAR, Kaiser Aluminum Corporation has refused to let 3,000 steelworkers in Tacoma and Spokane -- who were part of a foiled eight-month strike that ended in June -- return to their jobs. Mike McIntire, a locked-out employee who worked for Kaiser for 22 years, recently joined forces with other workers to lobby the state legislature. They've camped at the capitol in Olympia in sleeping bags in order to convince lawmakers to give them an extension on their unemployment benefits, which recently ran out. McIntire, interviewed here, says the situation is desperate.

What did Kaiser tell you when they locked you out?

The company just locked us out. We gave an unconditional surrender [from our strike], and said we'd be willing to go back under the old contract and do the job that we've always done. They said, "Sorry. we don't want you."

Do you know any scabs?

Yes, I've talked to quite a few. They're not being treated fairly. I talked to one who was claiming an injury and wanted some union help, but I said, "It's awful hard for me to help you when you're in there taking my members' jobs." I think it's been an education process for those people.

Some union members were actually sleeping in the Olympia statehouse to make their point. Did you do that?

Yes, I was one of the original people in there. I think we're making an impression and giving an opportunity for state representatives and senators to put a face to what we are talking about. It doesn't mean they are listening, but at least we are telling them our side of the story. But they also get the company's side. They have their lobbyists there, too.

What are you going through now financially?

We are being assisted by food banks and trying to keep food on the tables for our members. We try to pool money and we've asked other unions to help support us. Being a [Kaiser] employee for 22 years, I've been trying to save money for retirement, but that's kinda gone by the wayside. I was hoping to have a fairly decent nest egg when retirement time finally came for me, but because of this situation, I've spent a lot of the money.