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Latrobe Specialty Steel Offers 90-Day Contract Extension
07/11/2008 - Latrobe Specialty Steel reiterates its offer for a 90-day extension to its labor contract with the United Steelworkers — again.
Latrobe Specialty Steel has reiterated its offer for a 90-day extension to its labor contract with the United Steelworkers. In fact, says the company, it has been making that offer at every bargaining session.
The company first made the offer for the union to continue working under a 90-day extension back in May when the union decided to strike. The union refused the company’s offer then and has continued to refuse it ever since.
“Since May first, we have made several fair offers to the union in an effort to reach agreement,” said Hans J. Sack, President and CEO. “None of these offers has been presented to the union members for a vote. Despite this, we continue to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement. We think it's time that the union members get a chance to vote on these offers.”
The company said it has demonstrated its commitment to the Latrobe community in many ways, including an approximately $60 million investment in the current expansion of its vacuum melting facility, an expansion that is continuing on schedule.
Historically, Latrobe Specialty Steel has avoided lay-offs or workforce reductions even in the face of bad economic times. The company, an ongoing participant in community affairs and local charities, says it never sought bankruptcy protection during tough times. It did not pass its liabilities on to employees, communities, government agencies or the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, as a number of its competitors have done.
Latrobe Specialty Steel's two-tier contract proposal addresses those long-term competitive issues, is consistent with agreements the USW signed with Latrobe's competitors, and does not impact current employees. "Our two-tier offer is still substantially above starting wages of our competitors,” said Sack. “New workers will receive market competitive wages and benefits. Union statements to the contrary are not factual.”
Headquartered in Latrobe, Pa., Latrobe Specialty Steel Co. manufactures and distributes precision-engineered specialty alloys for customers globally. Airframe and defense systems manufacturers specify Latrobe's high-performance, vacuum melted and vacuum remelted alloys for many critical components. In business continuously since 1913, the company employs approximately 900 people in ten locations throughout North America and Europe.
