WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today issued the following statement on news that United Steelworkers (USW) and Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI) reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, which could mean an end to the six-month lockout.
“The men and women who make up Ohio’s steel industry have shown great strength and earnestness during this six-month lockout, and their perseverance is why we can celebrate this tentative agreement today,” said Brown. “These workers have been unemployed for months and it’s time for the workers and company to move forward. I spent time with these workers last month in Louisville, and am thrilled they are one step closer to returning to work so they can provide for their families.”
In January, Brown, along with U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Edward Markey (D-MA), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), wrote to ATI urging CEO Richard Harshman to work with USW to reach an agreement and end the lockout. He also sent a letter to ATI management in December 2015 calling on the company to end the then five-month lockout.
The contract between ATI and USW ended on June 30, 2015 and the parties have not reached an agreement to renew the contract. ATI locked out employees at facilities in Ohio, Oregon, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania.
###
