USW Looks Forward to Continuing Negotiations
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Although we are currently taking a brief break from the bargaining table, we thought it would be helpful to make sure all of our brothers and sisters are up to speed on where things stand in our negotiations with U.S. Steel.
Our committee looks forward to continuing our discussions soon, we remain committed to reaching a fair agreement, and we are determined to continue bargaining for as long as it takes to achieve that goal.
Our hope is that U.S. Steel uses this time away from the table to re-evaluate its positions and re-think some of its most drastic demands for concessions. Here is a look at some of the company’s demands:
Health Care
The company continues to demand major changes to our health care benefits that, taken as a whole, would amount to thousands of dollars per year in added costs, both for active workers and retirees.
Contract Language
U.S. Steel has demanded changes to contract provisions on overtime, contracting out, transfers, SUB pay, severance and other issues.
Health & Safety
The company also has continued to demand control over the union’s health and safety representatives.
Strength & Solidarity
Our committee is well aware that the steel industry is in the midst of a crisis, but these drastic proposals do nothing to address that. We will keep you updated as soon as any new developments occur.
Remember, we are not alone in this fight. Our brothers and sisters at ArcelorMittal have resumed bargaining this week in the face of similar draconian demands. At Cliffs Natural Resources, USW members are continuing to bargain after agreeing to a one-month extension of their agreement. At Allegheny Technologies Inc., 2,200 of our brothers and sisters are standing strong on the picket lines after being locked out of their jobs for more than two months.
We appreciate the strong support we have gotten from our brothers and sisters in our plants and in our communities. That solidarity that has helped our committee make the progress that we have been able to make in the face of these demands. Stay strong and keep working safely!
In Solidarity,
Your 2015 U.S. Steel Bargaining Committee
