Work, Join, Win Together: U.S. Steel

Click here to download this as a PDF.

For generations, USW members at U.S. Steel have fought for safe, secure jobs, fair wages and benefits, and a level playing field for our industry. These achievements came through the power of solidarity, and through decades of tireless dedication and sacrifice.

Because of our hard work, training and experience, the U.S. Steel facilities where we work are the most efficient, safest steel-producing facilities in the world, and we have achieved contracts that provide workers with fair treatment, safe conditions on the job, and dignity on the shop floor.

As in the past, we expect U.S. Steel to come to the bargaining table seeking to reduce its financial obligations to USW members and retirees – in 2018 and beyond – and to demand greater commitment and flexibility from its hourly work force.

In our negotiations this year, the company will try to turn back the clock on decades of progress we have made at the bargaining table. We have relied on these jobs to care for our families and sustain our communities. That’s why we intend to fight back against these short-sighted ideas and to focus on fair treatment, safe conditions, and longterm sustainability for our industry.

Any success we achieve at the bargaining table – now and always – depends on the unity and solidarity of every Steelworker in every plant throughout the country.

Since winning our first steel industry contracts in the 1930s and 1940s, USW members have turned jobs that were once looked upon with scorn into dignified careers at facilities that form the backbone of countless communities.

Between 1998 and 2002, when 50 North American companies went bankrupt as a result of unfair and illegal foreign trade, combined with questionable management decisions, USW members led the fight to save our plants, our communities, and our jobs – and to restore some health care benefits to tens of thousands of retirees who had lost them in bankruptcy court.

Our innovative contracts made possible the resurgence of the industry prior to the global economic crisis of 2008. The flexibility of our contracts and the productivity of our members allowed the industry to survive the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

The USW members at U.S. Steel have worked hard and deserve to be paid fairly for what we do. We have made sacrifices in the past to put our industry on a path to a more sustainable future.

Through our solidarity and commitment to building a sustainable future, we have made our industry a world leader in safety, productivity, and environmental responsibility. We fight for our jobs because they are jobs worth fighting for. That has never been more important than it is now.

Steel negotiations are never easy, but through the strength and solidarity of our membership, the USW bargaining committee is determined to meet whatever challenges U.S. Steel puts before us in these contract talks.

By standing up, building power, and mobilizing together, we have and will continue to achieve fair contracts that ensure a future for ourselves and our families. When we stand together, we win!

Master Contract Locations

Clairton Plant
Locals 1557 & 2227

East Chicago Tin
Locals 5133 & 2695

Fairfield, Works
Locals 1013, 2122 & 2210

Fairless Hills
Locals 4889 & 4889-37

Gary Works
Locals 1014, 1066 & 2695

Granite City Works
Locals 1899, 68 & 50

Great Lakes Works
Local 1299

Keetac
Local 2660

Lorain Tubular
Locals 1104 & 2354

Midwest Plant
Local 6103

Minntac
Locals 1938 & 9115

Mon Valley Works
Locals 1219 & 2227

Lone Star Tubular
Local 4134

Fairfield Southern
Local 1013

Steel Industry Milestones

1937: The Steelworkers Organizing Committee (SWOC) signs first contract with U.S. Steel, securing wage increases, overtime, seniority, vacation and paid holidays 1938 Despite a recession, SWOC agrees to new contract with U.S. Steel that contains no wage cuts

1942: SWOC members vote to create the United Steelworkers of America (USWA)

1945: USWA contract with U.S. Steel establishes grievance and arbitration procedures

1949: Nationwide strike results in first pension agreement, sick and accident benefits, life insurance 1951 Union wins first victory against contracting out of union work at U.S. Steel

1956: Union members win the right to refuse unsafe work

1962: Contract prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religious creed or national origin

1965: Contract establishes right to union representation during meetings with management

1968: USWA establishes $25 million Strike and Defense Fund

1974: New contract raises wages and pensions and expands health coverage

1984: Facing layoffs due to a recession and unfair trade, USWA members agree to wage concessions in exchange for steel plant investments

1986: Newly named USX initiates six-month lockout of 22,000 USWA members; dispute results in modern limits on contracting out

1992: USWA leads fight for fair trade, working with industry to bring anti-dumping cases against foreign steel producers

1997-2002: Union leads successful fight for steel tariffs to stop import dumping and save the industry

2008-2012: Strong contracts prevent steel companies from slashing wages to the bone during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression

2012: USW fights company attempts to turn back the clock on decades of collective bargaining progress, forcing management to respect our past and secure our future

2015: Hard-fought negotiations result in strong contract to protect low-cost, high-quality health care for active members and retirees

2018: The future is ours!