AMU
January 16, 2026
AMU: Labor agreement timelines converge in US aluminum
Written by Nicholas Bell
This piece was first published by SMU’s nonferrous sister publication, Aluminum Market Update. To learn about AMU, visit their website or sign up for a free trial.
A number of collective bargaining agreements across different aluminum producers either expire this year, have recently expired, or are entering bargaining cycles. As those timelines converge, 2026 may be a year when labor negotiations play a larger role in operational planning at a time when trade issues and high prices also are playing a big factor.