Braeburn Alloy workers' vote for union representation upheld by National Labor Relations Board

Last month’s vote for a labor union to represent Braeburn Alloy Steel workers in Lower Burrell during contract negotiations has been upheld by the National Labor Relations Board.

The vote Feb. 23 was held by secret ballot. Negotiations have not yet been scheduled.

It was an unusual hoop for employees to have to jump through.

Workers already are represented by United Steelworkers, but the plant’s new owner, G.O. Carlson Inc. of Oil City, hasn’t recognized or bargained with the union, said Tony Montana, a United Steelworkers spokesman.

“USW members at the Braeburn Alloy Steel facility sought an NLRB representation election after their employer refused to acknowledge its obligation,” Montana said.

Calls to G.O. Carlson President and Chief Operating Officer Tracy Rudolph were not returned.

According to the most recent vote, collective bargaining will apply to hourly production employees and maintenance workers.

Foremen, office clerical, confidential employees, guards, professional employees and supervisors are excluded.

There are about 25 workers in the bargaining unit at Braeburn.

The company was purchased last year by G.O. Carlson after falling into bankruptcy.

The United Steelworkers, who have represented Braeburn’s workers since at least 1946, filed unfair labor practice charges in June with the National Labor Review Board.

In October, the NLRB sided with the union and filed a complaint against Braeburn Alloy Steel for breaking the National Labor Relations Act. An NLRB hearing is set for Sept. 18 in Pittsburgh.

Braeburn was founded in 1897 as a producer of ball bearing steel for its parent company, Standard Steel & Bearings. It was acquired by Continental Copper and Steel (CCX) in 1944 and operated as a steel mill until 1987.

Its multi-building plant is situated along the Allegheny River.