In an update, the union said it is continuing to meet with both steelmakers. And in the case of ATI, those meetings have sometimes been without federal mediators present. It also said all of the issues that were on the table at the beginning of the lockout are back on the table, including health insurance for employees and retirees.

“The company has moved on some minor issues, but they continue to argue for some of their more onerous ones. (Heath insurance) premiums are still a topic of discussion, along with schedules and contracting out. The discussions are further complicated by the announced idling of Midland and the (grain-oriented electrical steel) operations,” the union said in a statement.  

However, the union said it is encouraged that discussions are continuing and anticipates that more bargaining sessions will be scheduled with the company.

As for ArcelorMittal, the union said it had hoped that the U. S. Steel deal would prompt the company to change its approach.

“Unfortunately, that is not the case,” the union said.

“While ArcelorMittal has dropped its demand for active employees to pay monthly premiums for medical coverage, the company continues to propose drastic changes to the designs of our active and retiree benefits plans and tripling our retirees’ health care premiums.”

The contract with ArcelorMittal expired 1 September 2015, and the union has continued to work as it tries to hammer out a deal. Meanwhile, union members at ATI plants have been locked out since August 2015, when the union let pass a company deadline to accept its last best and final offer.

Union members at U. S. Steel are casting ballots for the new contract.