Steel Mills

USW Ratifies 4-Year Contract at ArcelorMittal mine ops in Canada

June 10, 2021

United Steelworkers at ArcelorMittal Mines and Infrastructure Canada have ended their strike and ratified a new four-year labor contract with the company.

ArcelorMittal “We are happy to turn the page on this conflict. The past few weeks have been a time to pause and start anew. We look forward to welcoming back our employees, and I personally assure them of my commitment, as well as that of all managers and executives, to a safe and healthy work environment where respect must prevail,” said Mapi Mobwano, president and CEO of ArcelorMittal Mining Canada and chairman of the management committee of ArcelorMittal Infrastructure Canada.

Members of the five union locals covered by the agreement voted overwhelmingly to approve the new deal. The new contract provides for average salary increases of more than 3% per year, as well as average annual increases in pension benefits of 3.75%. Existing retirees will also see their pensions indexed between 1% and 3%, the USW said.

“We estimate the contract will generate economic benefits to the region of $178 million over the next four years – an average annual increase of 14%,” said Nicolas Lapierre, Steelworkers’ union coordinator for the North Shore region of Quebec. “Through this fight for better working conditions, our members also fought for economic benefits for the North Shore and for Quebec. Today we can be proud of their struggle!”

By Sandy Williams, By Sandy@SteelMarketUpdate.com