Steel Mills
ArcelorMittal, USW Begin Contract Negotiations
Written by Sandy Williams
July 10, 2018
Contract negotiations for United Steelworkers at mills in the U.S. are kicking off with an initial proposal on Monday from ArcelorMittal to its USW-represented locations.
According to a USW press release, members will have “much work to do” to counter major economic and non-economic concessions requested by the company, which the USW says would “negatively impact every member.”
The initial proposal does not include any wage or pension increases or commitment to invest in the future of the facilities, despite dramatic improvement in steel market conditions since the last contract was ratified.
Concessions on health care are proposed. ArcelorMittal is offering employees the choice of paying premiums to remain in a PPO health plan or enroll in a Consumer Driven Health Care plan with $8,000 per year out-of-pocket costs.
Retirees would see their contributions for health care coverage double. Workers at former International Steel Group (ISG) locations would lose the $10,000 Pension Enhancement Payment.
ArcelorMittal is also seeking significant changes to incentive and vacation pay, family and medical leave, contracting out, seniority, scheduling, and other areas.
Negotiations are set to resume in Pittsburgh on Monday, July 16.
Sandy Williams
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