USW members vote to approve ArcelorMittal USA contract
Published on Fri, 24 Jun 2016
NWI Times reported that United Steelworkers members have voted overwhelmingly to approve a new three-year deal with ArcelorMittal, one of Northwest Indiana's largest employers. A total of 5,059 USW members, or 72.9 percent, voted for the contract, while 1,878 workers voted against it. Negotiated for more than a year, the deal covers more than 14,000 hourly workers at ArcelorMittal's 15 U.S. plants, including in East Chicago, Gary, Burns Harbor and Riverdale.
The contract includes no raises but has bonuses if hot-rolled steel prices average over $600 a ton per quarter. The company will close several finishing lines at ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor in East Chicago but will invest $2.5 billion in its American operations. Health care costs will rise, including a 42 percent jump in premiums for retirees.
USW Local 1010 President Tom Hargrove said “I feel we got the best deal we could under the circumstances, each contract negotiation is a snapshot in time and we were bargaining in some real bad times for steel. We will be back at the table in two years. Hopefully conditions will be better."
USW International President Leo W. Gerard said “We have settled our differences with management at the table, so together now we can focus on addressing the industry’s real problems, such as global overcapacity and the unfair and often illegal foreign trade practices that depress prices, close plants and cost jobs. The USW negotiating committee, activists and members at each of the facilities deserve our thanks and credit for staying united throughout the long, difficult process.”
ArcelorMittal said it was pleased to have a new agreement after 10 months of negotiations. Spokeswoman Mary Beth Holdford said “ArcelorMittal extends our appreciation to our employees, customers and community members for their patience and commitment during this process. We are pleased that we were able to negotiate in good faith with the USW to achieve a mutually beneficial agreement while avoiding unnecessary impact on our employees and their families, our customers and our communities."
Source : NWI Times