Steelworkers' Latest Contract Proposals Find No Footing
09/14/2015 - ArcelorMittal negotiators walked away from the bargaining table on 11 September, and representatives of the United Steelworkers union are returning home to discuss the situation with the rank-and-file.
According to the Steelworkers (USW), the company left the table after the union presented it with a comprehensive proposal, one that it said would maintain benefits for active and retired members while saving the company millions of dollars.
“The company’s response was not what we hoped,” the union said in an update to the membership. “We are disappointed but not surprised, since management has drawn out the process every step of the way.”
The union said ArcelorMittal is continuing to seek concessions on vacation pay, sick pay and incentive pay. And it refuses to consider any health benefits proposals that don’t require active members to contribute to their monthly premiums.
In a statement to The Times newspaper of northwest Indiana, ArcelorMittal said it remains committed to the “productive dialogue” that it has had so far.
"Throughout our negotiations with the USW, ArcelorMittal has and will continue to stress the importance of achieving labor cost parity with our key competitors both in and outside of the steel industry so that we are not at an inherent cost disadvantage when competing in our core markets. ArcelorMittal looks forward to returning to the bargaining table with the USW soon so that we can achieve a new bargaining agreement that provides a path toward ensuring the collective future of all our stakeholders," the company said.
The contract between the union and ArcelorMittal expired 1 September, as did a deal with United States Steel Corporation. The union is continuing to work under the terms of the previous deal.
Meanwhile, the union has been trying to negotiate a new contract with specialty steelmaker Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI), which locked out workers on 15 August.
The two sides met with a mediator at the end of last week, but no progress was made, according to the union.
The union said it made a proposal, hoping to end the lockout. The company, however, did not respond, sticking to what it has called its last, best and final offer.
"The USW remains ready to continue discussions and we call on ATI once again to come to their senses and settle a fair contract which would put our members back to work making steel," USW International vice president Tom Conway said in a statement.
“The company’s response was not what we hoped,” the union said in an update to the membership. “We are disappointed but not surprised, since management has drawn out the process every step of the way.”
The union said ArcelorMittal is continuing to seek concessions on vacation pay, sick pay and incentive pay. And it refuses to consider any health benefits proposals that don’t require active members to contribute to their monthly premiums.
In a statement to The Times newspaper of northwest Indiana, ArcelorMittal said it remains committed to the “productive dialogue” that it has had so far.
"Throughout our negotiations with the USW, ArcelorMittal has and will continue to stress the importance of achieving labor cost parity with our key competitors both in and outside of the steel industry so that we are not at an inherent cost disadvantage when competing in our core markets. ArcelorMittal looks forward to returning to the bargaining table with the USW soon so that we can achieve a new bargaining agreement that provides a path toward ensuring the collective future of all our stakeholders," the company said.
The contract between the union and ArcelorMittal expired 1 September, as did a deal with United States Steel Corporation. The union is continuing to work under the terms of the previous deal.
Meanwhile, the union has been trying to negotiate a new contract with specialty steelmaker Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI), which locked out workers on 15 August.
The two sides met with a mediator at the end of last week, but no progress was made, according to the union.
The union said it made a proposal, hoping to end the lockout. The company, however, did not respond, sticking to what it has called its last, best and final offer.
"The USW remains ready to continue discussions and we call on ATI once again to come to their senses and settle a fair contract which would put our members back to work making steel," USW International vice president Tom Conway said in a statement.
