Too often in labor disputes, we hear employers say that they are disappointed.
Stated by an ATI spokesperson at the onset of the strike: “We are disappointed for this action, especially at such an economically challenging time for ATI.” (“United Steelworkers begin strike at Allegheny Technologies Inc., reject’s ATI’s last-minute counter offer,” March 30, TribLIVE).
Stated again in the article “Steelworkers still sparring with ATI as employees return after months-long strike” (July 19, TribLIVE): “We’re disappointed in the USW’s decision to perpetuate divisions.”
Here’s the thing: Employers have the power to control their own disappointment as their decisions contribute to workplace morale. Showing respect for your employees at the bargaining table is a good place to start. But when you propose a raise that falls short of the cost-of-living adjustment, and is less than the increased out-of-pocket cost those workers will have to pay in health care, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
ATI was able to quickly restore salary reductions for its CEO, CFO and top directors, a sign that this must not be such an economically challenging time for ATI after all. It’s the workers who ensured production to get the CEO his $5.5 million salary.
ATI as the employer should be taking leaps to bridge the divisions it has created between the company and its workers. Anything short of that is the real disappointment.
Annie Briscoe
Washington Township, Westmoreland County