Locked-out unions in St. Louis say they're scapegoats

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission says it will lock out three audio/visual unions until the two sides can reach an agreement on new work rules.

The commission wants to change labor rules to allow more nonunion labor at America's Center, and cut out middlemen that negotiate labor contracts.

It's the latest move in 18 months of sometimes heated negotiations between the commission and the unions.

The commission says it wants to make America's Center more competitive for convention business.

The unions maintain St. Louis' struggle to attract convention business goes far beyond union labor.

----

Information from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, www.stltoday.com