United Steelworkers Union Accepts Allegheny Technologies Labor Agreement
03/02/2016 - By more than a 5-to-1 margin, members of the United Steelworkers union ratified a new labor deal with specialty metals producer Allegheny Technologies Inc., ending a lockout that began in August.
In a statement, the union said the four-year contract protects retirement benefits and maintains what it said is affordable, quality health insurance for active workers and retirees.
“It protects union jobs against outside contractors, maintains the grievance procedure and other important contract language, and introduces a new profit sharing system that allows USW members a bigger share in ATI's future success,” the union said in a statement.
Approximately 2,200 workers at 12 ATI facilities have been locked out since 15 August. The lockout began when the union let lapse a company-imposed deadline to accept what it called its last, best and final offer.
The National Labor Relations Board has since said the lockout was improper and has filed a formal complaint against the company. The NLRB now must approve the contract.
One of the conditions of the labor deal, however, is that the union withdraws its grievances against the company.
ATI spokesman Dan Greenfield told the (Pittsburgh) Tribune-Review newspaper that the company is pleased that the agreement was ratified, but added that the timing of employees’ return to work depends on when the complaint is withdrawn.
The previous labor agreement between the union and the company expired June 30.
The Tribune-Review earlier reported that the new contract provides for a $3,500 signing bonus and the establishment of a quarterly profit-sharing plan. However, it ends free health insurance. Employees will now have to contribute 10 percent of the cost of their premiums.
“It protects union jobs against outside contractors, maintains the grievance procedure and other important contract language, and introduces a new profit sharing system that allows USW members a bigger share in ATI's future success,” the union said in a statement.
Approximately 2,200 workers at 12 ATI facilities have been locked out since 15 August. The lockout began when the union let lapse a company-imposed deadline to accept what it called its last, best and final offer.
The National Labor Relations Board has since said the lockout was improper and has filed a formal complaint against the company. The NLRB now must approve the contract.
One of the conditions of the labor deal, however, is that the union withdraws its grievances against the company.
ATI spokesman Dan Greenfield told the (Pittsburgh) Tribune-Review newspaper that the company is pleased that the agreement was ratified, but added that the timing of employees’ return to work depends on when the complaint is withdrawn.
The previous labor agreement between the union and the company expired June 30.
The Tribune-Review earlier reported that the new contract provides for a $3,500 signing bonus and the establishment of a quarterly profit-sharing plan. However, it ends free health insurance. Employees will now have to contribute 10 percent of the cost of their premiums.
