Face-to-Face Talks Resume Between USW and Cliffs, US Steel

Cleveland-Cliffs Update

In an Aug. 19 bargaining update, the USW signaled continued positivity and optimism in its talks with Cleveland-Cliffs.

“At the table, negotiations continued this week, and we have resolved many local issues and issues related to contract language. However, we still have significant work to do on profit-sharing issues, pension issues and other economic issues,” the update reads.

A list of the locations covered by the master contract negotiations with the Cleveland-based steelmaker can be found here.

While not discussing specifics on negotiations out of respect for the bargaining process, “Cleveland-Cliffs and the USW have successfully negotiated agreements for decades based on our shared commitment to the middle class and our common goals,” a spokeswoman said in an email to SMU on Friday afternoon. “We are confident that our bargaining process will result in a fair and equitable agreement,” she said.

US Steel Update

Not as much optimism was expressed in an update on talks with US Steel.

“Many of the sub-committees report some progress,” the USW said in an Aug. 19 bargaining update. “While this is a positive development, most major issues are still being discussed, and we have a lot of work ahead of us.”

Negotiations with the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker cover all of its locations except its Big River Steel Works, a non-union EAF sheet mill in Osceola, Ark.

“We’re optimistic about the progress made in bargaining thus far, and we look forward to continued conversations with USW as we work to reach an agreement,” a spokeswoman for US Steel said in an email to SMU.

Canadian Steelmakers Update

Strikes have thus far been averted at Canadian flat-rolled steelmakers Algoma and Stelco, although some ratification votes on potential labor deals are still pending.

USW Local 8782, representing workers at Stelco’s Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke, Ontario, was scheduled to vote on potential labor deal on Friday, Aug. 19.

Stelco’s Hamilton, Ontario, steelworkers represented by USW Local 1005 ratified a new, five-year labor deal on Wed., Aug. 17.

USW Local 2251 representing hourly workers at Algoma’s mill in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has scheduled a ratification vote on a pending labor agreement from Aug. 29–31.

Algoma’s salaried workers, represented by USW Local 2724, ratified their new labor pact late in July.

By Laura Miller, Laura@SteelMarketUpdate.com