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ArcelorMittal Steelworkers Grant Strike Authorization
08/29/2008 - Union members at ArcelorMittal facilities throughout the country vote to give their Bargaining Committee the authority to call a strike against the company should that become necessary, as the Sep. 1 contract expiration nears.
United Steelworkers (USW) union members at ArcelorMittal facilities throughout the country have voted to support their Bargaining Committee by giving them the authority to call a strike against the company should that become necessary. The vote was taken during meetings held by local unions representing over 14,000 hourly production, maintenance, office and technical workers at ArcelorMittal.
The current labor agreement between the USW and ArcelorMittal USA expires Sept. 1, 2008. The two sides have been negotiating since April and will continue to meet through the weekend if necessary.
"Our members and retirees have earned a fair and equitable contract through years of hard work, sacrifice and uncertainty," said USW District 1 Director David McCall, who chairs the USW's ArcelorMittal negotiating committee.
The union said that the major issues still unresolved include concerns related to economic security, employment security and retirement security.
McCall reiterated that the USW committee is dedicated to reaching a fair contract at the bargaining table before the current one expires.
The USW represents 850,000 workers in the United States and Canada employed in the metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and other industries as well as the service and public sectors.
