United Steelworkers agree to continue working under expired ATI contract
Members of the United Steelworkers union will continue working at Allegheny Technology Inc. facilities as talks for a new contract continue, an update from the union states.
The last contract, covering about 1,300 workers at nine ATI locations, including the hot rolling and processing facility in Harrison, expired Saturday.
About 75 USW members rallied outside ATI’s Harrison facility Friday ahead of the contract’s end.
During talks Saturday, the union said it made an offer to continue working “as long as progress is being made at the bargaining table.” ATI management accepted the offer, the union said.
“ATI continues to operate as our labor negotiations continue. Both sides are working diligently to reach a fair contract that rewards employees and ensures the long-term sustainability of the company,” said ATI spokeswoman Natalie Gillespie.
The union contends the company cannot make any unilateral changes to the terms and conditions of employment without negotiating them with the union.
Benefits agreements remain in effect until July 31. The company cannot change or discontinue health insurance until they have expired, according to the union.
Outstanding issues include wages and pension security, the union said. Other issues include seniority restrictions, health care coverage, security, restrictions on contracting out, and policies on attendance, substance abuse and Family and Medical Leave.
The union said it is committed to reaching new agreements without a labor dispute and “will do everything we can to avoid a work stoppage.”
“During the past two months of bargaining, we have made progress on some of the items our union brought to the table, but the key elements of a fair and equitable contract have yet to be achieved,” the bargaining update states.
According to the union, representatives of the union and company met several times during the day Saturday. ATI management indicated interest in a union offer Saturday evening, but did not get back to the union before the end of the day.
“We continue to be available and are still waiting on management to respond,” the union said.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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