Question and Answers

We've received several submissions regarding proposal details. It's important to remember that negotiations can be a dynamic and intensive process - one that formally kicked off the week of January 6. Both parties are engaged and communicating frequently. As a result, we will not be sharing details of initial proposals at this time so that we can continue to engage in productive discussions toward securing a successful contract.

Why not resolve these contracts in advance, like other companies, instead of wait until the last minute?

Some companies may begin negotiations earlier, but it doesn't mean the contract is resolved prior to expiration. In terms of process, we have an annual partnership meeting that takes place every November (including the outlying years). During the years we are facing contract expiration, we view this as the kickoff, and begin exploring and discussing the local issues (an easy way to categorize these is "everything going on in the plant except for wages and benefits"). Typically, we then engage in the main table discussions beginning about two months before contract expiration. Both parties are aligned to this timeline; based on experience, when you conduct negotiations over a longer stretch of time, you end up negotiating against yourselves - especially when there are significant geopolitical events that cause volatility in our marketplace and industries. There are many contract negotiations that go on both in and outside of our industry, and the cadence of each is dictated by the involved parties and influenced by a number of factors including complexity of the issues and the parties' schedules.

When are you going to come up with a “business plan” that keeps production running more than 9 turns 26 weeks per year?

Our product mix has diversified greatly over the past few years as ATI focuses on supplying high-value material to high-performing industries, like aerospace, defense and specialty energy. For Specialty Rolled Products, this means we no longer melt for commodity stainless applications, which is historically where the 8-3 melt shop focused. We continue to grow our business in the grades and materials we are profitable in, and in doing so, our goal is to fill our production schedule and fully deploy our assets. We agree that it’s better for all involved when we’re able to run consistently, without interruption. We continue to work to secure the business that enables us to do so, including developing new alloys like ATI642™ (designed as a concast Nickel alloy for deep sea oil and gas applications) and exploring conversion work to increase utilization.

Why does Ati and The Usw always have a rough time negotiating a contract?

We wouldn't categorize the current experience as "rough" -- both parties are constructively engaged and have been since the beginning. ATI and the USW share the desire to reach an agreement without a work stoppage.

I've worked for ati for a few years now but have never been through a contract. Worked alot of hours and missed a lot of family stuff. Do I have any future to look forward too or should I take my 401k and leave?

We're glad you joined ATI. We believe all ATI employees have a present and a future to be excited about. ATI's is a premier aerospace and defense company, and Specialty Rolled Products is a key part. We're working to reach an agreement that enables ATI's consistent, stable success -- now and in the long-term -- regardless of external factors beyond our control.

Will ATI finally make it possible for its union employees to split or put all of a signing bonus into their 401k? | Does the contract proposal that ATI gave to the union include any quality of life benefits? | Is ATI offering a new contract with work life balance in it? | Can we get Veterans Day added to paid holidays instead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day? | Will COLA be a part of the contract proposal?

We continue to engage with the USW on topics like wages and vacation, and are going to keep those topics confined to our discussions with the USW for now. Again, your union leadership is letting us know what is important to you, and we're discussing when we meet together at the table.

Why can't we ever get a contract like U.S. Steel? | Is your wage increase offer going to be in line with other steel companies that have recently received contracts? For the past few contracts the wage increases have been minimal to none.

ATI is not a steel company: in December 2020, we exited standard stainless sheet products to streamline our production footprint and focus on our highest-value markets, like aerospace and defense. We regularly benchmark our financial performance against our peer companies in the aerospace and defense materials industry. As previously mentioned, we're keeping conversations regarding topics like wages and vacation confined to our discussions with the USW for now. Your union leadership is letting us know what is important to you, and we're discussing when we meet together at the table.

How can you negotiate when the ATI share price is increasing daily?

Although the current increase in our stock price may indicate investors' general optimism about ATI, the day-to-day share price does not influence our strategy or ability to maintain a competitive cost structure. Our focus remains on rewarding our employees while enabling ATI's ability to generate - and sustain - profits and secure our future. ATI is not proposing a concessionary contract. We are proposing a contract that will enable our success, now and for the long-term. This is why we say working together, we win.

Can we give maintenance employees a fixed incentive? | Why are our shift differentials only 35 cents for afternoon and 45 cents for morning shift? | Why don't we get time and a half for Saturday and double time for Sunday? | Can we please get an increase in vacation?

We've received a lot of comments and suggestions regarding specific proposals - including compensation and vacation - and we appreciate these issues are on our employee's minds. As we continue to work with the USW on these topics, union leadership is representing what is important to you, and we're addressing them during the negotiations process.

Can you explain why company/salary employees received emails contradictory to the answer you gave to above question that’s giving them instruction as to what their jobs will be during the work stoppage.

Customer Protection Planning (CPP) is a standard part of the negotiations process that enables us to proactively plan ahead to avoid any disruption to our customers or business at-large. This is not an indication of the status of negotiations.

When is ATI going to answer everyone’s questions? This site has been up for over a week and if the company wants employees and families to engage with them they sure are dropping the ball. We don’t want to hear there isn’t negotiations currently or this is all the information you have. This site was solely created for questions when will they be answered?

We answer questions of general interest, typically on a weekly basis. 

Why has ATI lacked in the safety department on the recent years? We were supposed to be world class safety. Now it seems safety takes a back door to production!

Safety is one of ATI's core values, and we are committed to a workplace culture where everyone goes home the same way they arrived. We actively partner with our employees and the USW on our Safety culture and improvement initiatives. While SRP's recordable rate is still well below industry average, our ultimate goal is zero.

Why are we not negotiating every day until we reach an agreement?

Negotiations is a dynamic and intensive process that can feel slow, especially in the early stages. ATI and the USW have agreed to meet on a weekly basis, with both parties revising and assessing proposals in the "off days" to make the best use of our time together at the table.

I would like to make sure that they take care of the retirees pensions, and their insurance healthcare.

We appreciate the service and experience of our retirees and stand by our obligations to them.

Are you asking for a concessionary contract?

While we are not going to get into specifics about our proposals, we can definitively say that no, we are not seeking a concessionary contract. This means that employees will be net better off each year of the contract term.

Why can we not bring back suggestion awards and service rewards to retain employees and show your appreciation?

We welcome our employees' ideas, especially when it comes to a productive, engaged workforce. Something like this wouldn't necessarily be a topic of negotiations or covered by contract language. We encourage you to raise your ideas with your local manager, plant leadership and/or Human Resources.

Are our customers waiting to purchase steel from Ati Flat Rolled until the contract is ratified? It would only make sense to them since the last 2 contracts were bad labor disputes.

Because of our differentiated, high-performing materials, our customers understand and appreciate the value of a competitive agreement that drives stability in their supply. Like us, they look forward to our reaching a successful agreement.

Does ATI plan on locking out its union employees for the third contract in a row? If not why did ATI wait until end of Dec.2024 to start negotiating for this contract?

Both parties are negotiating diligently, and we look forward to continuing to make progress toward an agreement prior to expiration. We remain committed to working productively, avoiding any work stoppage - lockout or strike.