(PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA) – Despite a now-expired contract, United Steelworkers (USW)-represented Allegany Technologies Incorporated (ATI) Employees will continue working at the company’s plants, including one in the Western New York City of Lockport.

The decision was announced over the weekend by USW Officials, who said ATI had “indicated an interest” in the Union’s latest offer.  The 1,600 USW-represented ATI Workers - including 50 employed in the Niagara County City of Lockport, will continue to work under the terms and conditions of now expired contract until a time when a further decision is made by the Union. 

The USW also said it is waiting for ATI to respond to that offer. 

As such, the USW - which is holding negotiations with ATI management in Pittsburgh, said it had made an “unconditional offer to continue working as long as progress is being made at the bargaining table.”  The current contract expired at midnight on Saturday (February 29th), but the USW said ATI remains insistent on “inadequate wages,” which are said to be 6% below industry standards, “a refusal to provide” pension security that many other Workers in the Steel Industry already enjoy, as well as a number of other issues.  The exceptions, USW Officials said, are Non-Strike/No Lockout, arbitration, Union Security and management rights provisions of the contract, which only apply when there is an agreement in place.

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.

On Friday (February 27th), USW-represented Workers at ATI Plants rallied outside each of the facility’s gates in 14 cities - including Lockport’s Ohio Street Plant, publicly voicing their frustration over the lack of a deal as the midnight Saturday contract expiration date loomed.

In postings on the Internet on Sunday (March 1st), the USW said: “This is a challenging time for us and our families.  The uncertainty of the bargaining process, especially in the face of concessionary proposals from ATI, can be stressful.  Our Union has faced serious fights throughout its history and we’ve always fought back.  We have won by standing together, supporting each other and remaining disciplined.  Stay strong, stay safe and keep up the fight for a fair contract.  Solidarity is our strength!”

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: For More On This Labor News Story, Read Your On-Line Labor Newspaper’s February 28th Report, Headlined: USW-Represented ATI Workers Rally In Niagara County City Of Lockport As New Contract Talks Continue - All The While Shadowed By A Midnight Saturday Expiration Date.