NIPSCO locked out more than 1,600 people in the union after their contract expired and talks broke down.

The shutdown started Thursday, two days after the contract ended, leaving United Steelworkers workers off the job.

The company says workers won’t return until the union accepts its final offer and a new deal is in place. Union leaders say the move blocks people from working and comes after ongoing fights over outside contractors, forced overtime, and safety during outages.

They also say the company has brushed off safety concerns raised by workers.

People in the union have held rallies across northern Indiana and say they’re ready to keep talking if the company ends the lockout.