The agreement, which would take effect 1 September, applies to workers at a number of Cleveland-Cliffs mills and facilities in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota and West Virginia. 

“Our employees are the heart and soul of Cleveland-Cliffs. The USW is a partner and an ally, and we look forward to sharing in our future success together. This agreement allows us to do just that, while keeping our cost structure highly competitive,” said Cleveland-Cliffs chairman and chief executive Lourenco Goncalves. 

The company declined to provide details about the contract, but union officials said it improves current wages, bolsters existing health insurance provisions for workers and retirees without increasing costs, and includes a commitment for Cliffs to invest US$4 billion in USW-represented facilities over its term.

“The proposed contract provides important economic and contract language improvements that will improve working conditions along with the standard of living for USW members and their families,” said USW International vice president David McCall, who chairs the union bargaining committee. 

“Our plants will continue to be safer and our jobs and benefits more secure under the proposed agreement,” McCall said. “Cliffs has committed to a plan to invest in its USW facilities that will improve production, create sustainable jobs for USW members and ensure success for the company,” he said.