United Steelworkers go on strike at nine ATI facilities over unfair labor practices

PITTSBURGH — Members of the United Steelworkers went on strike Tuesday against Allegheny Technologies Incorporated over what they say are unfair labor practices.

The strike started at 7 a.m. at nine ATI facilities.

United Steelworkers (USW) said contract negotiations started in early January for roughly 1,300 union members who have not had a wage increase since 2014.

Todd Baribiaux, USW Local 1196 president, started working at ATI’s Brackenridge facility 33 years ago. He said workers just want a fair contract with protected health benefits.

“Everybody wants to get a pension and retirement. They want to break it down into tiers. New hires don’t get the same things that we had, the benefits. Health care is always an issue. That’s a touchy subject for everybody,” Lance Jablonski, a steelworker of 20 years, said.

USW and ATI continued negotiations Monday night.

“We are willing to meet with management all day, every day, but ATI needs to engage with us to resolve the outstanding issues,” USW International Vice President David McCall, who chairs the union’s negotiations with ATI, said in a statement. “We will continue to bargain in good faith, and we strongly urge ATI to do start doing the same.”

ATI officials said they’ll continue negotiating in order to reach a competitive agreement that rewards hardworking employees.

ATI released the following statement:

“Last night, ATI further improved our proposal in hopes of averting a work stoppage. With such a generous offer on the table -- including 9% wage increases and premium-free health care -- we are disappointed for this action, especially at such an economically challenging time for ATI.”

RAW: Steelworkers go on strike at ATI Brackenridge

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