Steel Markets

UAW, Ford Reach Tentative Labor Agreement
Written by Sandy Williams
October 31, 2019
The United Auto Workers and Ford Motor Co. have announced a tentative agreement just three days after talks began in “earnest” on Monday.
“Our national negotiators elected by their local unions have voted to recommend to the UAW-Ford National Council the proposed tentative agreement,” said UAW Vice President Rory Gamble. “Our negotiating team worked diligently during the General Motors strike to maintain productive negotiations with Ford. The pattern bargaining strategy has been a very effective approach for UAW and its members to secure economic gains around salary, benefits and secured over $6 billion in major product investments in American facilities, creating and retaining over 8,500 jobs for our communities.”
The tentative agreement will be reviewed by the UAW-Ford National Council and, if adopted, will be presented to Ford hourly and salaried members for a ratification vote.
The speed at which negotiators reached terms may indicate that Ford did not object to the pattern laid out in the GM agreement regarding temporary employees and other provisions.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Markets

CRU: Global sheet prices remain under pressure as exporters undermine domestic markets
One cause of this was increased competitiveness from imports that have put pressure on some domestic producers.

CRU: Sheet import demand softens as domestic price gains have slowed
US domestic sheet price gains have begun to slow as previously pulled-forward demand has led to a decline in orders.

CMC looks beyond Arizona micro-mill woes to long-term viability of construction mart
Despite the economic and geopolitical upheaval of the last five years, CMC President and CEO Peter Matt points out that the construction market has been an essential element of the way forward.

US importers face stricter rules under revamped S232 tariffs
“CBP expects full compliance from the trade community for accurate reporting and payment of the additional duties. CBP will take enforcement action on non-compliance," the agency said in a March 7 bulletin.

Steel exports rebound in January
US steel exports recovered to a five-month high in January after having fallen to a two-year low in December. This growth follows four consecutive months of declining exports.