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ArcelorMittal Dofasco, USW to Explore Potential for Certification

03/20/2008 - ArcelorMittal Dofasco and the United Steelworkers agree to a unique process that will allow employees to interact with and evaluate the suitability of a union to the company’s unique working culture. Later, employees will choose whether or not they wish to be part of the global partnership between ArcelorMittal and its union partners.

ArcelorMittal Dofasco and the United Steelworkers have reached an understanding on a unique process that will allow ArcelorMittal Dofasco employees to interact with the union and then evaluate the suitability of a union to the company’s unique working culture. Employees would ultimately have the opportunity to choose whether or not they wish to be part of the global partnership between ArcelorMittal and its union partners.
 
Under the agreed-upon arrangement, USW would be allowed to caucus informally with ArcelorMittal Dofasco employees to determine their interest in having union representation. "Dofasco employees will have the space to interact with the union, to talk openly with USW representatives without opposition from ArcelorMittal," said Wayne Fraser, USW Ontario/Atlantic Director. "If there is support for moving forward, they will then be able to democratically elect a bargaining committee and negotiate with the company.
 
Following the consultation period, if sufficient employee interest is demonstrated, a bargaining committee comprised of elected ArcelorMittal Dofasco employees would be formed and would commence negotiation of a tentative first collective agreement with the company.
 
If consensus is achieved on the content of a tentative first collective agreement, it will be presented to the employees. If the vote on the agreement is affirmative ArcelorMittal Dofasco would also recognize the United Steelworkers as the bargaining agent for the hourly rated workforce.
 
"In the spirit of neutrality, and recognizing the uniqueness of our culture at ArcelorMittal Dofasco, we will ask our employees to participate in a transparent and democratic process to allow them to decide whether or not to be part of this partnership," said ArcelorMittal Dofasco Vice President Manufacturing, Andy Harshaw. "Our employees will weigh the benefits and risks and the will of the majority of our employees will govern the final outcome."
 
"This initiative is rooted in our union's firmly-established collective bargaining relations with ArcelorMittal across Canada and the U.S.," said Fraser. He said that the USW and ArcelorMittal have developed a successful global relationship built on extensive collective bargaining and mutual respect.
 
ArcelorMittal is the world's largest steel company with 320,000 employees in 60 countries. ArcelorMittal Dofasco is a leading North American steel producer and supplier of high-quality flat rolled steels.