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
Nucor moves to stop HRC price slide with $10/ton hike
Nucor is attempting to halt the decline in hot-rolled coil prices with the announcement of a $10-per-short-ton increase in its weekly consumer spot price on Monday.
Explosion rocks ArcelorMittal’s DR plant in Mexico
ArcelorMittal reported a "strong" explosion at the direct reduction part of its massive Lazaro Cardenas mill in Mexico.
SDI to acquire remaining stake in New Process Steel
Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) announced that it has agreed to acquire the remaining 55% equity interest in New Process Steel.
North Star results improve despite buyer caution as tariffs drive prices higher
North Star BlueScope said it is optimistic that US tariffs will bolster selling prices and tighten the spread the Australia-based steel maker suffered in 2025.
AISI: Domestic steel production edges down
US raw steel production declined last week, according to the latest data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).