ArcelorMittal, Steelworkers Union Come to Terms on New Labor Agreement
04/29/2016 - The United Steelworkers union has reached a tentative, three-year labor agreement with ArcelorMittal USA, the union has announced.
The union didn’t offer details of the agreement, but told members in a statement that it would preserve their economic security and other contractual protections. The new agreement would expire 1 September 2018, if ratified.
The previous deal expired 1 September 2015. The union continued to work under its terms as negotiators bargained on a new contract. Theunion represents nearly 14,000 workers at 15 facilities.
“Recognizing the challenges facing our industry -- mainly the result of historic levels of unfairly traded imports and a depressed market for our products -- we committed very early in this process to address the company’s needs while protecting future generations and without burdening current or future retirees with unnecessary expenses,” the union said in a statement.
Union negotiator Pete Trinidad told the Post-Tribune newspaper that the contract freezes wages, but provides for bonuses based on hot rolled band prices. Health insurance benefits for employees will largely remain intact, he told the newspaper.
In a statement, ArcelorMittal USA chief executive John Brett said the company wouldn’t comment on contract specifics out of respect for the ratification process. He, however, called the agreement “fair and equitable.”
“After a lengthy negotiations process, we look forward to working with our represented employees to fight market pressures due to unfairly traded imports and create long-term value for all of our stakeholders,” he said.
The union has not announced a timeline for the ratification vote. It said it will be meeting with the rank-and-file over the next several weeks to discuss the contract.
The previous deal expired 1 September 2015. The union continued to work under its terms as negotiators bargained on a new contract. Theunion represents nearly 14,000 workers at 15 facilities.
“Recognizing the challenges facing our industry -- mainly the result of historic levels of unfairly traded imports and a depressed market for our products -- we committed very early in this process to address the company’s needs while protecting future generations and without burdening current or future retirees with unnecessary expenses,” the union said in a statement.
Union negotiator Pete Trinidad told the Post-Tribune newspaper that the contract freezes wages, but provides for bonuses based on hot rolled band prices. Health insurance benefits for employees will largely remain intact, he told the newspaper.
In a statement, ArcelorMittal USA chief executive John Brett said the company wouldn’t comment on contract specifics out of respect for the ratification process. He, however, called the agreement “fair and equitable.”
“After a lengthy negotiations process, we look forward to working with our represented employees to fight market pressures due to unfairly traded imports and create long-term value for all of our stakeholders,” he said.
The union has not announced a timeline for the ratification vote. It said it will be meeting with the rank-and-file over the next several weeks to discuss the contract.
