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Steelworkers Ratify Agreement with ATI Allegheny Ludlum
PITTSBURGH -- Rank-and-file members of United Steelworkers of America have approved new collective-bargaining agreements with Allegheny Technologies Inc. covering operations of ATI Allegheny Ludlum and J&L Specialty Steel by a 62% to 38% margin, USWA officials announced recently.Membership approval in the mail-ballot vote clears the way for the company's acquisition of assets of J&L Specialty Steel, which is expected to be completed on June 1. Ballots, counted here today, totaled 1,853 in favor and 1,126 against."Ratification of this agreement ensures a place for USWA members in a more competitive specialty steel industry in North America," said Andrew V. "Lefty" Palm, USWA vice president of administration and chairman of the union's negotiating committee. There will be no layoffs at any Allegheny Ludlum facility as a result of the J&L Specialty Steel acquisition, he adds.Thomas Conway, secretary of the USWA's Basic Steel Industry Conference and of the union's negotiating committee, says the agreement includes a Transition Assistance Program to enhance voluntary attrition. "TAPs will be offered by seniority to up to 775 workers at Allegheny Ludlum and J&L Specialty Steel operations who decide to retire during the next three years," he said.The new agreement also:Limits the number of non-represented employees at Allegheny Ludlum to no more than one to every four Steelworkers.Requires the company to reinvest at least $150 million at covered facilities and maintain the competitive status of the plants.Mandates new requirements to maintain and return work to the bargaining unit."Our Local Union negotiators worked long hours under difficult conditions to ensure the best possible deal for their membership, their plants and their communities," explained John DeFazio, director of USWA District 10 in Pennsylvania."They recognized that our operations must be in a position to compete globally and also that it's up to us to save our jobs, our retirement security and our industry.," added Bill Pienta, director of USWA District 4 in New York, New Jersey and New England.Visit United Steelworkers of America: www.uswa.org"