Steel Mills

Algoma, USW Local 2251 New Labor Deal Ratified

Written by David Schollaert

August 30, 2022

Canada’s Algoma Steel and the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2251 announced they have agreed on a new labor deal after members successfully ratified the terms of the five-year collective agreement.

AlgomaThe bargaining committee of Local 2251 “unanimously recommended the offer,” encouraging members to vote in favor of the fair agreement.

The two sides had agreed nearly three weeks ago to avoid a strike and lockout through at least September 1, but at the time the Local bargaining committee had recommended its members reject Algoma’s prior labor offer.

Ratification votes for hourly workers at Algoma’s sheet and plate mill in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, took place on Aug. 25 and Aug. 29.

Union members of Local 2251 voted in favor to accept the Memorandum of Agreement, successfully ratifying the new five-year deal. The agreement was approved with a landslide majority, a 93% acceptance vote.

“This agreement will provide stability for our members and community for the next five years,” said Mike DaPrat, president of USW Local 2251, on behalf of the negotiating committee.

“With agreements in place with both our salaried and hourly employees, we can continue our focus on serving our customers and furthering Algoma’s transformation journey to become a leading producer of green steel,” said Michael Garcia, president, and CEO.

Members of USW Local 2724, representing Algoma’s salaried workers – its technical, professional, and front-line supervisory employees – ratified their new labor agreement on July 26.

By David Schollaert, David@SteelMarketUpdate.com

David Schollaert

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

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