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Steelworkers Union Takes a Break From U. S. Steel Negotiations
09/15/2015 - The United Steelworkers union said its bargaining committee is pausing negotiations with United States Steel Corporation as committee members return home to meet with the rank-and-file.
“While we have gone home for now, our team continues to be in contact with each other and with the company. Negotiations will continue, and we remain committed to bargaining for as long as necessary to achieve a fair agreement,” the union said in a statement.
The union has been trying to come to terms with U. S. Steel and with ArcelorMittal on new agreements. The previous deals expired 1 September, and the union is continuing to work under the terms of the old contracts.
Last week, ArcelorMittal walked away from the bargaining table after the union presented it with an offer that it said would save the company millions of dollars while preserving benefits for workers. Separately, the Steelworkers also were rebuffed by specialty steelmaker Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI), which declined to respond to a union proposal that it hoped would end the company's lockout.
The most recent contract between ATI and the union expired at the end of June. ATI locked out the union on Aug. 15 after the union let lapse a company deadline to act on what it said would be its last, bets and final offer.
The union said that while it has made “significant progress” with U. S. Steel on some important issues, they remain apart on others.
It said the company continues to seek concessions on contracting-out terms, overtime, profit sharing and seniority transfers, among other things. The two sides also remain apart on health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, the union said.
The union has been trying to come to terms with U. S. Steel and with ArcelorMittal on new agreements. The previous deals expired 1 September, and the union is continuing to work under the terms of the old contracts.
Last week, ArcelorMittal walked away from the bargaining table after the union presented it with an offer that it said would save the company millions of dollars while preserving benefits for workers. Separately, the Steelworkers also were rebuffed by specialty steelmaker Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI), which declined to respond to a union proposal that it hoped would end the company's lockout.
The most recent contract between ATI and the union expired at the end of June. ATI locked out the union on Aug. 15 after the union let lapse a company deadline to act on what it said would be its last, bets and final offer.
The union said that while it has made “significant progress” with U. S. Steel on some important issues, they remain apart on others.
It said the company continues to seek concessions on contracting-out terms, overtime, profit sharing and seniority transfers, among other things. The two sides also remain apart on health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, the union said.
