(Pittsburgh, Pa) - Trade Union activists from across the United States, Canada and Sweden today energized locked out Steelworkers at seven ATI locations across Western Pennsylvania.
“ATI should end the lock out immediately and put our members back to work,” said USW member Alonzo Scott from Petersburg, Va. who was among the 50 activists who engaged in today’s action. “Being forced out is not beneficial to either side.”
ATI locked out 2,200 members on Aug 15 in 12 locations and six states. The Steelworkers were working under the terms of their old agreement, but ATI shut down bargaining and forced them out. ATI is attempting to run the mills with management personnel and temporary replacement workers brought in from outside the impacted communities.
“The fact that ATI has brought in replacement workers to do the Steelworkers’ jobs hoping that they would give in to the company’s demands is really frightening to me because that is something that is almost unheard of in Sweden in modern times,” said Emma Akesson who is a Swedish auto worker and serves on the national bargaining committee there.
“That is why it is so important for union activists from all over the world to come and show you, as well as your community, that we support your fight,” Akesson said while supporting picketing workers at the Midland site.
The Global Solidarity Tour made stops at the following ATI locations: Brackenridge (100 River Rd), Natrona Heights (1300 Pacific Ave), Bagdad (585 Silicon Dr), Vandergrift (130 Lincoln Ave), Latrobe (242 Allvac Ave), Midland (950 Tenth St) and Washington (500 Green St).
The United Steelworkers represents 850,000 workers in the North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information: www.usw.org
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