Negotiations Break; Contract Terms and Conditions Remain in Effect

Click here to download a PDF of this flyer to distribute at your facility.

Negotiations with ArcelorMittal management will break this week and resume on November 29th. We want to remind everyone that the terms and conditions of our agreements remain unchanged and in effect as we continue to bargain for a new contract.

We are thankful for the support we have received from ArcelorMittal Steelworkers and retirees, our community allies and our union brothers and sisters throughout North America and around the world during this long process.

As we have reported in previous updates and discussed at membership meetings during these negotiations, our committee so far has resisted ArcelorMittal management’s concessionary proposals, but we must continue to fend off the company’s unfair and unnecessary demand to dramatically increase the premiums for retirees and their demands for premiums from active Steelworkers and reduced coverages.

It is especially frustrating because our proposals on these and other issues would save the company tens of millions in short-term expenses and long-term liabilities without negatively impacting or disrupting our lives or our standards of living.

We look forward to resuming face-to-face negotiations in Pittsburgh after Thanksgiving and continue to trust that we will achieve the fair contract we have earned and deserve through the collective bargaining process.

In the meantime, the market for steel in the U.S. and elsewhere continues to suffer the effects of unfair and often illegal foreign trade. Earlier this month, the USW joined 17 steel unions from 10 countries calling for aggressive government action against China’s illegal trading practices. We encourage everyone to visit https://actionnetwork.org/forms/its-time-for-global-fair-trade-policies and sign the petition.

As always, we urge your continued vigilance to keep our workplaces safe and your continued unity and solidarity as we face the challenges ahead together. Please stay in touch with your CAT representative and plan to attend any scheduled union meetings at your location.