(LOCKPORT, NEW YORK) – In what could only be described as déjà vu, United Steelworkers (USW)-represented Employees of Allegany Technologies Incorporated’s (ATI) Niagara County Plant in Lockport will participate in a rally held outside its main gates this afternoon (Friday, February 28th) to show their solidarity as USW Reps continue to meet with company management in Pittsburgh to negotiate a new contract.

From August 2015 to March 2016 - a span of 218 days, the ATI Workers walked the picket line after being locked out by management after their last contract expired. 

Now, almost four years later, the USW-represented Employees will once again be out in front of the Ohio Street Plant to publicly voice their frustration over the lack of a deal with a midnight Saturday (February 29th) contract expiration date staring them in the face.

“They’re ‘frustrated and there are still a lot of grudges’ (from the last time).  The company’s ‘acting like they won that’ (fight),” USW Local 9436-7 Unit President Mike Swan told WNYLaborToday.com in a telephone interview from Pittsburgh, where USW Reps and ATI company officials are meeting to negotiate a new deal.  “The company had told us they ‘wanted a deal in four weeks and here it is, eight weeks later since we started talking.’”

In August 2015, ATI locked out more than 2,200 USW Members who were employed at 12 plants - including Lockport, that are located in six states.  A new contract agreement was finally reached in mid-March 2016 - 218 days after the Union Workers were initially locked out.

Today, there are 1,600 USW-represented ATI Employees covered under the soon-to-expire contract, including 50 in Lockport, Swan said.

“We’ll have our people out in front of the (Lockport) plant on during shift change (Friday afternoon) and we’ve ‘put out word’ to the local Labor Movement ‘with the hope they will once again come out and support us ‘during this rally,” said Swan, who is also taking part in the Pittsburgh negotiations.

As was the situation back in 2015, health care appears to be a sticking point, according to Valerie Mueller-Thomas, a USW District 4 Staff Rep - who is also participating in the ATI negotiations, told Your On-Line Labor Newspaper via phone from Pittsburgh.

“It’s been a ‘slow’ two months (of negotiations),” she said.  “The company is taking ‘a long time’ to respond (to individual issues).  ‘Just like last time around, it’s about’ health care - but ‘other than that, there do not appear to be any major sticking points.’”

“Basically we’re looking for a ‘fair’ contract, ‘basic’ steel language - ‘industry standard,’” Mueller-Thomas said. “On Friday, the rallies (that will take place out in front of ATI plants located in six states) will show our ‘solidarity is intact.’  We’re keeping all our Locals and Units ‘updated and in the loop.’  ‘Our plan is to reach an agreement’ (before the current contract’s expiration date).  ‘If not by then, a decision will be made (by USW Officials) what the next step will be.’”

In postings on the Internet, the USW said the Union had been “encouraged” by their ongoing discussions with ATI management in Pittsburgh, but also underscored the fact to its USW-represented Members employed at ATI “to stand together to ensure ATI gets the message that we are united for the fair contract we have earned and deserve.”

ATI is said to be a world leader in the production of nickel-based and cobalt-based super-alloys, titanium-based alloys and specialty steels for the Aerospace, Oil and Gas, and Medical Industries.  The company’s alloys offer exceptional wear resistance, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and toughness – which exceed requirements and solving customer's problems, according to information posted on ATI’s website.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor's Note: Photo Of A Number Of USW-ATI Rallies That Appears Above That Took Place Today Is Courtesy Of The USW.