Steel Mills

USW and U.S. Steel Square Off for Negotiations
Written by Sandy Williams
July 12, 2018
Contract negotiations between the United Steelworkers and U.S. Steel Corp. began this week in Pittsburgh, Pa. The current-three year contract is set to expire on Sept. 1.
“We told USS we expect a fair agreement that rewards our sacrifice,” the union texted its members.
The steel market has dramatically improved from the bargaining environment in 2015 when U.S. Steel was posting billion-dollar losses and idling facilities.
U.S. Steel restarted the B furnace at its Granite City Works in March, bringing back 500 new and former employees. Furnace A will be operational in the beginning of October, adding another 300 new workers. First-quarter 2018 results saw improvement in all three of its reporting segments and reported net earnings of $18 million and sales of $3.1 billion.
With current steel demand strong and hot- and cold-rolled pricing averaging around $1,000 per ton, steelworkers are looking for an increase in wages this year and little to no concessions to benefits.
“As with previous contract negotiations, we hope to come to a mutually agreeable conclusion,” U.S. Steel spokeswoman Meghan Cox told the NWI Times.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills

AISI: US steel shipments rise in December
Domestic steel shipments increased month over month and year on year in December, according to the latest data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). US steel mills shipped 7,145,016 short tons (st) in December, up 0.9% from 7,082,921 st in December 2023 and 6.6% higher than 6,702,557 st in November 2024. For the full-year […]

Cliffs, USW cite First Amendment in USS/Nippon litigation; seek case dismissal
The union says the suit is "a frivolous and unsubstantiated attack on our union simply for exercising our First Amendment rights."

AISI: Weekly raw steel output ticks higher
The volume of raw steel produced by US mills slightly increased last week, according to American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. Last week’s production rate represents the second-highest level recorded this year.

Opening briefs filed in Nippon/USS lawsuit vs. US government
Together, Nippon Steel, Nippon Steel North America, and U.S. Steel announced the filing of their opening brief in their litigation to invalidate the government’s decision to block their announced merger. The brief lays out “how President Biden made a predetermined decision for political reasons, not national security, causing CFIUS to engage in a sham review […]

Cliffs blames muted auto demand for steep losses in 2024
Muted demand from the auto industry took a particular toll later in the year.