NORTH JACKSON, Ohio - Local union contract workers and Valley lawmakers are putting the pressure on First Energy with a "job action" demonstration.

The company is being criticized for hiring a majority of out-of-state workers for a new facility and storage building in North Jackson -- and has reportedly accepted just three bids for labor from local workers.

FirstEnergy addressed the criticism with a statement, saying "FirstEnergy utilizes a competitive bidding process that carefully considers contractor pricing, among other factors, in order to help keep electric bills manageable for its customers. FirstEnergy did not receive any incentives for the project."

FirstEnergy declined to provide further comment.

"The competitive bidding process should involve local contractors, using area workers at area standard of living wages and benefits, keeping money here and supporting the valley. The fact that First Energy is hiring out of state companies [and] workers means that those dollars are going out of state to support other communities" Jimmy Taylor, VP of Western Reserve Building Trades Construction Union said in response to the FirstEnergy statement.

Sen. Mike Rulli (R-OH District 33) told 21News "We're going to continue lobbying [FirstEnergy}. We're going to let them know that they have to hire Ohio, we have to have prevailing wage, and it has to be right here in Youngstown."