Locked-out ATI workers return to work
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Some 2,200 United Steelworkers who were locked out over a contract dispute with Allegheny Technologies returned to work Monday for the first time in almost seven months.
The union voted this month to approve a four-year contract with the Pittsburgh-based specialty steelmaker, which has 12 plants in Pennsylvania, including Canton Township, and five other states. The company locked out the workers Aug. 15 after contract talks stalled.
About 1,500 of those locked out work at six plants in the Pittsburgh suburbs, including two plants the company said will remain idled until they can turn a profit.
The National Labor Relations Board had to approve the contract because it filed unfair labor practice allegations against the company during the lockout.
The workers Monday began returning to work gradually as production ramps up.