Steel Products
USW and U.S. Steel Reach Tentative Agreement
Written by Sandy Williams
October 15, 2018
United Steelworkers at U.S. Steel have reached a tentative agreement on a four-year labor contract with the mill, avoiding a potential strike. USW officials said the contract will allow workers and management to move forward in a way “that allows us to share in the company’s success.”
“The company came to the bargaining table this summer intent on forcing us all to accept a bad agreement,” wrote the USW in a member update.” What they failed to consider was that the members of this union never back down from a fight. Thanks to all of you, we were able to reach a tentative agreement that includes none of the regressive, concessionary demands the company was prepared to shove down our throats. That is solidarity in action.”
“We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the USW we believe is fair and in the best long-term interests of our employees and their families, as well as U.S. Steel’s customers, stockholders and other stakeholders,” said David B. Burritt, President and CEO of U.S. Steel. “Together, we’ve agreed on terms that will create certainty and stability for our many stakeholders, enable our company to implement our long-term business strategy, which includes continued, responsible investments in our people and plants, and position U. S. Steel to remain a leader in the highly competitive global steel industry.”
{loadposition reserved_message}
“U.S. Steel began this process insisting upon deep concessions from a group of workers who had already made major sacrifices to help the company through a very difficult time,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. “It’s a testament to the power of solidarity that these workers were able to stand up with one voice and demand fair treatment.”
The agreement covers more than 16,000 workers at U.S. Steel’s domestic flat-rolled and iron ore mining facilities and the company’s tubular operations in Fairfield, Ala., Lorain, Ohio and Lone Star, Texas.
A summary of the agreement will be released in the next few days for review by union members before a ratification vote.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Products
HR Futures: Market finds footing on supply-side mechanics
As Labor Day marks the transition into fall, the steel market enters September with a similar sense of change. Supply-side fundamentals are beginning to show signs of restraint: imports are limited, outages loom, and production is capped, setting the stage for a market that feels steady on the surface but still unsettled underneath.
Beige Book: US markets remain cautious amidst volatile pricing environment
Sluggish economic activity across the US was largely attributed to uncertainty caused by tariff policies and growing cost pressures, according to the US Federal Reserve’s (The Fed) latest Beige Book report. The Fed’s latest economic report, posted on Sept. 3, consists of economic findings from the six weeks preceding Aug. 25 throughout 12 districts. Economic […]
Rig count dips again in both US and Canada
Oil and gas drilling activity waned in the US and Canada this past week. Ticking own for the second straight week in both regions.
Steel caucus pushes US trade officials to maintain strong S232 program
The bipartisan Congressional Steel Caucus is pushing for US officials to maintain a robust Section 232 program as they negotiate trade deals with America's trading partners.
Active rig count declines in US, Canada
Oil and gas drilling activity slowed in the US and Canada this past week. An unfamiliar trend after both regions saw repeated gains of late.