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Steelworkers Union Says It Will Continue Bargaining With ArcelorMittal
08/31/2015 - With its contract set to expire 1 September, the United Steelworkers union said it will remain at the table with ArcelorMittal and continue negotiating.
"Although we are far apart on a variety of economic and non-economic issues, we are encouraged by the overall direction of our most recent discussions," the Steelworkers said in a statement.
The union has asked the rank-and-file to report to work as scheduled. The union is, however, planning to rally 1 September at ArcelorMittal's corporate headquarters in Burns Harbor, Ind., USA, and at its North American headquarters in Chicago, Ill., USA.
The union also is planning a rally at its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pa., USA, and intends to march to the headquarters of United States Steel Corp. and Allegheny Technologies Inc., both of which are also in Pittsburgh.
Allegheny Technologies locked out about 2,200 Steelworkers after the union allowed a company-mandated deadline to accept what it said was its "last, best and final offer" to pass. The Steelworkers' contract with U. S. Steel expires 1 September.
In a statement, the union said its subcommittees have been meeting regularly with U. S. Steel.
"Unfortunately, the company has continued its attempts to take advantage of the current industry crisis to pursue unrealistic, long-term changes to our contract that would negatively affect active employees, retirees and their families. These would include dramatic increases in active and retiree health care costs as well as changes to contract language covering hours, overtime and contracting out, among other concessions," the union said.
Talks were to have continued through the weekend.
The union has asked the rank-and-file to report to work as scheduled. The union is, however, planning to rally 1 September at ArcelorMittal's corporate headquarters in Burns Harbor, Ind., USA, and at its North American headquarters in Chicago, Ill., USA.
The union also is planning a rally at its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pa., USA, and intends to march to the headquarters of United States Steel Corp. and Allegheny Technologies Inc., both of which are also in Pittsburgh.
Allegheny Technologies locked out about 2,200 Steelworkers after the union allowed a company-mandated deadline to accept what it said was its "last, best and final offer" to pass. The Steelworkers' contract with U. S. Steel expires 1 September.
In a statement, the union said its subcommittees have been meeting regularly with U. S. Steel.
"Unfortunately, the company has continued its attempts to take advantage of the current industry crisis to pursue unrealistic, long-term changes to our contract that would negatively affect active employees, retirees and their families. These would include dramatic increases in active and retiree health care costs as well as changes to contract language covering hours, overtime and contracting out, among other concessions," the union said.
Talks were to have continued through the weekend.
