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(July 10) - USW leaders reported some progress in bargaining with U.S. Steel this week on local issues specific to each site. As the week came to a close, bargaining committee members were working hard to wrap up local discussions and preparing to turn their attention next week to proposals addressing top-table issues including wages, benefits, safety, health care and pensions.
The USW negotiating team has formed a handful of sub-committees, each of which will spend the coming weeks analyzing and developing plans to address those issues. The committee hopes to reach a new master agreement with U.S. Steel to replace the current 3-year contract that expires on Sept. 1.
Solidarity More Important Than Ever
Our first solidarity action – Monday’s sticker day - received huge support from USW members all across the country. Thanks to everyone who helped organize the sticker day and to all who participated!
The need for that kind of solidarity throughout the summer was a point that International President Leo W. Gerard drove home when he visited a joint meeting of the U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal bargaining teams this week. “We are going to fight for every inch of ground that we can,” he said. “We are going to need solidarity like we never have before.”
International Vice President Tom Conway acknowledged that the effects of global overcapacity and unfair trade will make for a difficult round of bargaining, but he repeated his vow not to let the company use the current crisis to force unnecessary concessions on workers and their families.
“We didn’t put the industry in the mess that it’s in,” he said. “We are looking forward to having honest discussions and finding ways that we can work together to find fair solutions.”
The USW: Your Most Trusted Source!
Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for more printed updates, texts, e-mails and other communications. And remember, you might get some unfamiliar messages when you try to open attachments or click on links, but don’t be afraid to do so. Think of the USW as your “trusted source” for information!
In Solidarity,
Your 2015 U.S. Steel Bargaining Committee