Committee Heads Home, Talks Will Continue
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(September 14) – Our USW bargaining committee members are on their way back to their home locals this week to meet with members and discuss the status of our ongoing negotiations with U.S. Steel.
While we have made some significant progress this summer on some important issues, we remain far apart on many others. The company is still insisting on unacceptable and unnecessary concessions that could cost our members and their families thousands of dollars per year and turn back the clock on decades of progress.
Still, 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.
Still Far Apart
U.S Steel continues to propose concessions on a number of issues, including modifications to contracting out language, S & A benefits, overtime, profit sharing, SUB pay, severance, vacation shutdown notice and seniority transfers.
On active health care, the company has proposed high premiums as well as increases to deductibles, copays, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums. As a whole, these changes would cost members and their families thousands of dollars more each year. In addition, the company has proposed a two-tier benefit structure for new hires that would make it harder for us to bargain benefits and could create division within our bargaining units.
Retiree Health Care
U.S. Steel continues to propose higher premiums and drug copays for Medicare-eligible retirees and surviving spouses and substantial cost shifting for non-Medicare-eligible retirees and surviving spouses.
Stay Strong Together
Solidarity and communication have never been more important, so please contact your local bargaining committee members or your CAT coordinators for updates on the status of bargaining, and keep in touch for more information about our upcoming mobilization events.
In Solidarity,
Your 2015 U.S. Steel Bargaining Committee
