ATI LOCKOUT – Why and How the Progressive Movement Must Support the Steelworkers

photo by Bette McDevitt

The lockout of 2,200 steelworkers by ATI (Allegheny Technologies, Inc.) is entering its 6th month and at a critical stage for workers and their families. On November 30th, 2015, the Company eliminated health care benefits for all employees, and as of mid-February, workers will run out of unemployment benefits. Because of their ‘locked out’ status, workers are having and will have extreme difficulty getting any temporary employment elsewhere. Now more than ever, the public and especially the economic justice community need to step up to the plate and support these workers.

The Issues behind the Lockout

Here is what ATI’s most recent offer looks like:

ATI is demanding massive cuts in healthcare benefits, which will end up costing each worker between $3,000-$6,000 annually. In addition, employees hired after July 1st, healthcare deductibles will be five times those of existing workers, out-of-pocket maximums more than twice as much, and co-pays even higher.

ATI is demanding the elimination of pensions and retiree health care for new hires – a move which will bankrupt the existing pension plan in the long run. ATI wants to eliminate overtime pay after 8 hours and extend the work day to 12 hours, with the right to extend the work day up to 16 hours if “business needs” warrant.

ATI wants work rule changes that would allow it to contract out at least 40% of the jobs to non-union entities, a pure union-busting measure.

What’s at Stake

During the 1980s and ‘90s, close to 90% of the unionized steel industry in this area was eliminated. With the massive drop in commodity prices for oil and gas the past 2 years and the corresponding drop in demand for steel tubular products, the remaining 10% and what’s left is on the verge of extinction. While every country around the world supports their steel industry and workers to some degree with tariffs, buying excess steel production, wage subsidies and some form of industrial policy, U.S. steelworkers are left helpless to swim in the sea of laissez- faire, free-for-all global capitalism. If ATI is successful with this attempt to wring these massive concessions and essentially bust the union, it will further grease the skids for the continued downward spiral for wages and working conditions for ALL workers, union and non-union alike.

In late December, the Regional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) told ATI and the USW it will issue a formal complaint alleging the lockout is illegal, citing the Company for bargaining in bad faith, and could potentially force the Company to pay back all lost wages and benefits to the workers- a sum currently exceeding $60 million and mounting. While this is obviously a victory and step forward for the union, the case must now be presented before an administrative judge. If either side doesn’t agree with the judge’s decision, it can then be appealed to Federal Court. This process could take months, even years. With their benefits expiring, ATI steelworkers need other unions, workers, progressives and retirees to step up to the plate – NOW! We need to do more than just stand on the sidelines cheering them on in support. These workers need our active support.

Our Answer: SOLIDARITY

Community solidarity is a crucial element for organized labor and the survival of working class towns and boroughs. Locked-out workers and their local unions need material support. As individuals we can donate money and supplies such as food and firewood to locals. Also, show support to the workers through the attendance of rallies or events organized by the union, and by writing Letters to the Editor to newspapers such as the Post-Gazette. Additionally, you can stay up-to-date by reading news sources and texting “ATI” to 47486 to receive messages and alerts from the USW. Lastly, harangue your friends, relatives and neighbors to do all of the above.

As organizations, groups like the Thomas Merton Center, PIIN and other Unions should: issue strong statements of solidarity to the public through every means available, and to ATI in particular. Also these groups should take up collections and organize fundraisers such as benefit concerts, spaghetti dinners, and the like for the locals. Finally, send email blasts to their membership urging them to do all of the above.

Solidarity Unionism Our Only Solution

Lastly, we are long-past due for a Union-spring in Western PA. As long as locked-out workers at ATI, union drives at Three Rivers Casino, UPMC, the university adjuncts, fights by the postal and transit unions to save services and jobs, the fight for a $15 an hour living wage at fast food places – as long as these fights stay isolated, we will all lose. If 20,000 workers can come together for a Labor Day Parade, why not in the spring to put all these demands on the same table? In August, 1986, organized labor shut down downtown Pittsburgh for a half a day, when 45,000 came out to stop the use of non-union labor to remodel the train station on Grant Street. Why can’t we do it again?

Mike Stout is a long-time union and community activist, retired steelworker, songwriter and performing member of Pgh. Musicians' Union local 60-471.

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