Here's a link to Courier-Observer reporter Brian Hayden's story on the dispute between union workers and Alcoa in Massena.

In sum, the political part of the story is thus: Mr. Owens thinks the federal government has a role to play, and he sides with the union workers; Mr. Doheny doesn't think the federal government should get involved in the dispute.

Mr. Owens said he had requested Alcoa utilize as much local labor as possible to complete repairs soon after the fire and has since expressed his concerns about the CCC Group to the company.

“One of the principal issues facing the region is job creation,” Mr. Owens said. “If this is going to create jobs, it’s clearly something we should be involved in.”

Mr. Owens’ Republican challenger, Matthew A. Doheny, who was visiting Massena Thursday, said he did not feel it was appropriate for a congressman to intervene on such an issue.

“The last thing you want is the federal government wading in and telling productive businesses what to do,” he said. “It’s not in the long run the best way to go.”

But Mr. Owens disagreed, and said he sided with the ironworkers who wanted more local laborers on site.

“I would hope any elected official would do this for his constituency,” he said.

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