USW Local 1011: No strike this weekend
BY Teresa Auch Schultz tauch@post-trib.com August 31, 2012 1:20PM
Updated: October 2, 2012 6:06AM
United Steelworkers Local 1011 ArcelorMittal employees will not go on strike, despite not having reached an agreement with the company as their contract nears its expiration on Sunday.
An update from the United Steelworkers union stated the negotiating committee had decided it would be best for employees to keep working.
“Whether the company will agree to our offer to continue to work while we continue to bargain in good faith or instead choose to lock us out remains unknown at this time,” the update states.
ArcelorMittal General Manager Bill Steers said negotiations are still ongoing.
“The company remains optimistic that a fair and equitable settlement will be reached before the contract expires at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1,” he said.
Citing the sensitivity of the negotiations, Steers did not comment as to whether the company is planning for a lockout.
The union’s update says a strike is still possible but that the union won’t move for one right now.
Another update from the union said the company has backed off a proposal not to pay pensions to new hires but that the two sides are still far apart. Some of the issues in dispute are creation of a two-tier wage and benefit system and changes to seniority, according to the update.
Meanwhile, U.S. Steel continues to negotiate with United Steelworkers on its own contract, according to a blog entry on USW Local 1013’s website.
The website said employees should continue to work as normal unless told differently. The U.S. Steel contract, which covers Gary Works, is also set to expire Sunday morning.
Disputes in the Local 1013 contract negotiations with U.S. Steel have been over rising health care costs.
