According to a union update, members of Local 2251 were ready to walk off the job, having voted 91% in favor of calling a strike. However, a resolution on an issue related to cost-of-living adjustments allowed negotiations to continue, the union said. 

“We are urging all of our members to report to work as scheduled as we have an extension to our collective agreement,” the union said. 

Algoma president and chief executive Michael Garcia said the extension is a positive development. 

“This extension demonstrates the willingness of the parties to work towards an agreement that provides fair and equitable improvements to wages and benefits and supports our collective future under the electric arc transformation,” he said. 

The old agreement expired just after midnight.  

In a statement Saturday, Algoma said it had submitted what it called its best and final offer. That offer included wage and cost-of-living increases totaling at least 12.6% over three years, pension contribution increases of 45 cents per hour over three years, and improvements to medical, vision and dental benefits. 

“Algoma believes its offer to 2251 provides a compensation package that is superior to many of the Company’s peers in the industry, and includes numerous health and wellness benefit enhancements and protections offered by the Company in an effort to reach an agreement,” the company said. 

Added Garcia:

“We have been working in good faith to come to an agreement that is highly equitable to the members of the 2251 local, provides assurances of no job redundancies related to the electric arc transition during the term of this (collective bargaining agreement) and supports our collective future under the electric arc transformation.”