USW and USS Labor Talks to Continue Past Sept. 1 Deadline

“Our bargaining committee is heading home… even though [we] worked very hard to reach a fair contract, we are very far apart,” the USW said in the Aug. 31 bargaining update. “We’ve agreed to extend our contract.”

Under the extension rules, either party can terminate talks, provided they give a 48-hour notice. In the event the extension is terminated, a lockout or strike would commence, the update said.

Contract negotiations between the USW and the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker have been contentious, and the two sides appear to be far from working out a new labor deal.

“USS is not even in the same ballpark with their offer, and they need to hear from all of us,” the bargaining committee said. “We deserve a fair deal!”

During the extension, union members will continue working under the terms of the current contract for a negotiated period while bargaining continues.

US Steel did not respond to requests for comment at the time this article was filed.

By David Schollaert, David@SteelMarketUpdate.com