Steelworkers and supporters at all 12 illegally locked out sites are holding strong on the picket lines and in their communities as the fight for a fair contract continues. Steelworkers and supporters are rallying on the picket lines, building political support for the struggle, and getting their families involved in the fight.
Rallying on the Picket Lines
Steelworkers and supporters are taking the fight for a fair contract to the streets in Louisville, Ohio and Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of Steelworkers turned out for a plant-gate rally during shift change in Louisville on November 9th. The event was so successful, members of Local 1046 planned another rally just a week later on November 17. Meanwhile, more than 100 Steelworkers and supporters turned out for a rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania on November 18, followed by a community spaghetti dinner.
On November 7th the ATI Solidarity Tour, organized by Fight Back Pittsburgh hit the road bringing dozens of community supporters to visit picket lines in Brackenridge, Natrona Heights, Vandergrift, Latrobe, and Washington, PA.
Political Support Continues to Grow
Political support for the lockout is continuing to grow in communities around the country. City Councils in Midland, PA and Louisville, OH passed resolutions in support of the Steelworkers fight for a fair contract at ATI, joining a long list of communities calling on ATI to end its illegal and unnecessary attack on our communities and end the lockout.
Locked Out Steelworkers Lend a Hand in the Community
While locked out Steelworkers don’t have a lot of money to donate to people in need in our communities, we do have time and labor to donate. Steelworkers in Washington, PA donated their time and services to help the community by replacing the roof and re-wiring a concession stand and storage area for the Canonsburg Youth Baseball Association.
Meanwhile, Members of Local 7150 in Albany, Oregon are going all out to organize a fundraiser for Keelie Curran, a six-year-old girl in their community who has been fighting leukemia most of her life. The fundraiser, organized by the Local 7150 Gives Back campaign is on November 21 at the Calapooia Brewing Company in Albany, OR.
Honoring Our Veterans
Locked out Steelworkers and families at ATI locations around the country took the time to honor our nation’s Veterans on Veterans Day. From thank you support signs on the picket lines, to Local 7150’s float in the Albany, Oregon Veterans Day Parade, Steelworkers recognized the veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country.
Meanwhile, ATI handed out slices of pizza to veterans at Pittsburgh’s Veterans Day Parade. Donna Ansani, a member of USW local 1196 who served two tours in the Middle East as a member of the US Air Force was insulted to receive a post card from ATI inviting her to get a slice of pizza. She said, “As a veteran, I was personally offended that the company felt they could honor my service with free pizza all the while locking veterans like me out of a much needed job. So, ATI, hold the anchovies, and give me back my job!”
Wives of Steel Host Dart, Texas Hold ‘Em Tournaments
The Wives of Steel group in Leechburg, Pennsylvania helped to raise spirits for locked out families with two fun local union activities—Dozens of Steelworkers and community supporters came together for a Dart Tournament on November 7th and a Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament on November 14th. Congratulations to Lou Bonnoni who came in 1st place in the Texas Hold Em Tournament!