Tensions High As Steelworkers Protest Outside Bricklayers Union Office
MONROEVILLE (KDKA) -- Tensions were high Thursday outside the local Bricklayers Union office in Monroeville.
Dozens of people from the United Steelworkers union picketed for hours holding signs and calling members of the Bricklayers Union "scabs" as they drove by.
Members of the Bricklayers union have been working at the ATI plant in Brackenridge even though the United Steelworkers have been locked out since August.
"The Number 9 bricklayers have crossed our line since the beginning of the illegal lockout. And they won't stop. They're supposed to be our union brothers and sisters and they are treating it somewhat like a joke," USW Union Worker Sherry Kaleugher said.
A total of 2,200 members of the USW have been locked out of ATI since August of last year.
The company announced this move in a contract dispute that's dragged on since June 30.
"Because these Local 9 bricklayers have chosen to cross our picket line, it has enabled ATI to continue doing business," USW Union Worker Scott Lalibert said.
"They have a little bus that goes in. They laugh at us, show us their paychecks and give us hand gestures," USW Union Worker Bud Olsen said.
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USW workers have been without health insurance since November and are on the brink of losing unemployment this month if a new contract doesn't come to the table soon.
The president of the Bricklayers Union said his guys have to work.
"When we were told we would be issued $50,000 day fines we had to go honor our contract," President of the Bricklayers Local 9 WPA Bucky Donkin said.
"It's going to be six months. They're helping to prolong this. I'm very emotional over this," USW union worker Bob Hendricks said.
If a new contract isn't signed soon, USW workers said ATI will no longer have to deal with the union. They will have to work with the federal government instead, which will take over this case in mid-February by an administrative judge.
