Steel Mills

Contract Negotiations to Resume at U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal

September 24, 2015

Contract negotiations are set to resume again at ArcelorMittal and U.S. Steel. The USW informed its membership on Wednesday that the negotiating committees will be heading back to Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 27 with meetings scheduled for Monday, Sept. 28.

“Although the parties remain far apart on key issues, we are committed to bargaining a fair agreement,” wrote the USW in its website update.

The meetings in the past ten days were said to be well-attended and productive. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” said the USW.

“It is vitally important that everyone understands the issue and ArcelorMittal management’s unfair and unnecessary demands, and we believe that sharing this important information is essential to build membership solidarity within and between our locals,” said the USW. “Our negotiating committee appreciates the visible and vocal support displayed by USW members at all locations throughout this process, and we are counting on your continued unity and solidarity.”

Health care benefits have been a major sticking point in the negotiations along with overtime, profit-sharing, severance, vacation shutdown notice, seniority transfers, and sickness and accident benefits.

“Under U.S. Steel’s proposal, steelworkers could have to pay up to $6,300 a year more in out-of-pocket health care costs, cutting their overall compensation since they would get no raises,” said the USW.

Union members have been working under terms of the previous contract which expired Sept. 1. A solidarity event is planned for Sept. 30.