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Steelworkers: This Contract is the New Standard

08/13/2008 - The USW says its new tentative agreement with U.S. Steel increases wages, improves pensions and benefits, addresses local working conditions, and provides for continued capital investments to keep the company’s facilities competitive.

The United Steelworkers (USW) announced that it has reached a tentative new 4-year agreement with U.S. Steel that provides “very significant wage, substantial bonus and pension increases.” The USW said the new agreement also improves benefit programs for active employees and retirees, and reduces healthcare premiums for retirees.
 

U.S. Steel’s current agreement with the USW covers some 16,000 USW members employed at:
 
·         Fairfield, Ala.
·         Granite City, Ill.
·         Gary, Ind.
·         East Chicago, Ind.
·         Portage, Ind.
·         Ecorse, Mich.
·         Braddock, Pa.
·         Clairton, Pa.
·         West Mifflin, Pa.
·         Fairless Hills, Pa.
·         Lorain, Ohio
·         Keewatin, Minn.
·         Mt. Iron, Minn.
·         Lone Star, Texas.
 
The current contract expires September 1.
"We've gone through some tough times in the steel industry during the last 20 years," said USW International President Leo Gerard. "Our union was instrumental in restructuring the industry and this new contract rewards our members for their hard work, improves the living standards of our retirees and the capital investments that will be made in our mills protects our communities far into the future. This contract is the new standard in the industry."

 
The tentative agreement requires the company to make capital investments to keep the mills at the state of the art so they can continue to compete in the global steel market. The agreement also provides for an "Energy Efficiency and Carbon Emissions Task Force" to protect and benefit the industry and the environment.
 
In addition to addressing economic issues, the new agreement also resolves “many issues involving local working conditions, including the outsourcing of work,” which will now return to the jurisdiction of USW members.
 
“This is an historic agreement,” said USW International Vice President Tom Conway, who served as the union's chief negotiator. “There are only improvements. No steps back. Our members have worked very hard and deserve everything that we've gained in this round of bargaining. Our union is proud of what we've accomplished.”
 
According to the USW, the local union presidents have already approved the tentative agreement, which will now be sent to the rank and file union members for ratification. Detailed contract summaries will be mailed to the membership, and the local unions will hold explanation meetings at each plant location. Ratification will be conducted by mail-in ballot.
 
The current agreement, which expires September 1, covers some 16,000 USW members employed at Granite City, Ill.; Gary, East Chicago, and Portage, Ind.; Ecorse, Mich.; Braddock, Clairton, West Mifflin and Fairless Hills, Pa.; Fairfield, Ala.; Lorain, Ohio; Keewatin and Mt. Iron, Minn.; and Lone Star, Texas.
 
Further details of the new agreement will be unavailable until the membership review is complete.