Steel Mills

USW Contract Negotiations Continue, ATI Lockout Ending 2nd Month
Written by Sandy Williams
October 13, 2015
Contract negotiations continue to progress at ArcelorMittal and US Steel but at a very slow rate. The USW reported that the ArcelorMittal bargaining committee reached a “basic understanding with the company on some non-economic issues.”
At US Steel talks are at an impasse with the USW resisting concession demands. The bargaining committee headed home last weekend to provide status reports to local unions.
“Unfortunately, U.S. Steel continues to demand deep concessions, and the company has yet to move away from some of its most onerous proposals,” wrote the USW in an update to members “Also, the company has issued more WARN notices in anticipation of further layoffs, and we are awaiting more details about those decisions.”
“Our committee is well aware of the current crisis in the steel industry, and we are working hard to fight back against the effects of unfair trade, currency manipulation and global overcapacity. However, the changes that U.S. Steel is seeking at the bargaining table are unrelated to the current market crisis.”
“We will not be forced to accept harmful long-term concessions in response to a temporary crisis. Our bargaining committee is ready and willing to engage in meaningful and balanced discussions, but we are not interested in proposals that would gut our agreements and shift heavy costs to our active and retired members and their families.”
Workers at Allegheny Technologies have been on the picket line for two months after being locked out by ATI management on August 15. ATI reports most of its 12 plants are operating at pre-lockout levels using salaried and replacement workers.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills

U.S. Steel sues Algoma over iron pellet shipments
U.S. Steel is suing Algoma over the Canadian flat-rolled producer's rejection of iron pellet shipments, arguing it has breached its contract.

August US mill shipments slip but still higher than last year
The American Iron and Steel Institute reported a decline in the monthly shipments of US mills from July to August.

TransPod, Algoma, Supreme Steel linkup anchors Canadian steel in high-speed transit build
The three Canadian companies have announced a strategic partnership to support the development of an ultra-high-speed transit line from Edmonton to Calgary.

Metallus, USW agree to tentative four-year labor deal
Metallus and the United Steelworkers (USW) have agreed to a tentative four-year labor contract.

ArcelorMittal Dofasco resumes cokemaking after emergency maintenance
The Canadian steelmaker reported on Sept. 30 that “urgent maintenance” was needed in its coke plant off-gas systems. The work required coke oven gas from the No. 2 coke plant to be flared for most of that week.