Steel Mills
USW Waiting With Trepidation for US Steel Formal Contract Proposal
Written by Sandy Williams
July 26, 2015
US Steel wants “to turn back the clock” in contract demands said the United Steelworkers in a statement on the ongoing contract negotiations.
“While we have yet to receive a formal, detailed proposal from the company, it’s clear from this initial outline that U.S. Steel is attempting to use the current industry downturn to gut our contract and weaken our union,” said the USW update.
Contract demands from US Steel include changes to health care that would raise annual deductibles and charge a monthly premium, said the USW in a summary of what is known so far by the negotiating committee. Medical plans would be eliminated for retirees.
New language in the contract would reduce vacation pay and bonuses and increase eligibility requirements. Scheduling and overtime pay would be adjusted as well as modifying hours-worked guarantees to four hours per day and 32 hours per week.
The USW is also concerned about potential changes in the union’s role in health and safety at US Steel facilities.
“These proposals do nothing to address the current climate in the steel industry – they are designed instead to take advantage of that climate to weaken our contract,” said the USW in its statement.
The US Steel labor contract is set to expire September 1, 2015.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills
AISI: April mill shipments fall, sheet down YTD
US steel mills saw a decline in shipments from March to April.
Hybar rolls first rebar, ramping up Arkansas mill commissioning
The startup steelmaker produced its first rebar at its greenfield steel mill in Osceola, Ark., marking a key milestone by completing construction in 22 months.
Goncalves: Despite higher tariffs, two Cliffs mills to remain idled
Cleveland-Cliffs Chairman, President, and CEO Lourenco Goncalves said he would keep one mill idled and still plans to idle another despite increased protections from Section 232 tariffs doubling to 50%.
Trump says Section 232 tariff on steel, aluminum to double to 50% at Pennsylvania rally celebrating Nippon-USS deal
At a rally celebrating a “planned partnership” between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, President Trump announced higher tariffs on steel and aluminum imports into the United States, and revealed few more details on Nippon’s investment in USS’ operations.
CRU: Trump hails a partnership of Nippon with USS
In a social media post, President Donald Trump said a planned partnership between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel will add $14 billion to the US economy and ensure USS remains headquartered in Pittsburgh.