ATI, Steelworkers return to bargaining table as strike continues
Apr. 19—Negotiators for Allegheny Technologies Inc. and the United Steelworkers union returned to the bargaining table Monday.
About 1,300 USW members have been on strike at nine ATI facilities since March 30.
On Friday, the union said it had proposed returning to in-person negotiations with ATI to resolve the outstanding issues that led to the strike.
ATI and the union agreed that their bargaining committees would begin meeting in-person at 8 a.m. Monday in Pittsburgh, according to ATI spokeswoman Natalie Gillespie.
"The company has committed to remaining at the table for so long as the discussions remain productive and are moving the parties closer to an agreement," she said in a statement Monday morning.
In a release issued Friday, USW international Vice President David McCall, who chairs the union's negotiations with ATI, said progress "has been hindered at every step by the company dragging its feet and violating labor law."
"It's up to ATI to act responsibly and bargain in good faith with us for a fair agreement," he said.
ATI maintains it has made a "generous" four-year contract offer that includes wage increases and "continued, affordable health care."
The company said its offer includes $4,000 lump sum payments in the first year and 3% pay increases in the second, third and fourth year.
On health care, ATI said it has accepted union proposals on deductibles, copays, out-of-pocket maximums and wellness. It is asking employees to begin paying premiums in the fourth year of the contract, like ATI employees represented by the USW in other bargaining units and at its competitors.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@triblive.com or via Twitter .
