Hundreds Attend Basic Steel Industry Conference

Hundreds of USW members from steel locals across North America kicked off their effort to bargain new contracts in the steel industry with the Basic Steel Industry Conference on June 27^th in Pittsburgh.

In addition to the conference, the week included individual meetings of the bargaining committees from major steel companies including ArcelorMittal and U.S. Steel, where members discussed bargaining goals and developed a tentative schedule and agenda for negotiating sessions coming up later this summer.

The conference also included discussions of the union’s ongoing fight for fair trade, the problem of steel overcapacity, workplace health and safety, the Steelworkers Pension Trust, and other issues.

Despite the White House’s decision earlier this year to institute tariffs on foreign steel under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the fight for fair trade is far from over, International President Leo W. Gerard told the attendees.

“Where we are now in this fight is a result of our union,” Gerard said. “For the past 15 years, it’s been the United Steelworkers who have carried the ball on the issue of trade.”

USW members must continue to fight for contracts that provide fair wages and benefits, secure retirements, job security and safe workplaces for all, he said.

The USW’s contracts covering a total of about 30,000 members at ArcelorMittal and U.S. Steel expire on Sept. 1. The USW will begin bargaining new contracts with ArcelorMittal on July 16 and with U.S. Steel on July 23.

“Nobody has fought harder than us,” Gerard said. “It’s time for progress.”