USW union asking members how to proceed

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/usw-union-asking-members-how-to-proceed/article_bccf5e17-8742-5a47-9f99-06d33d4f6253.html

Joseph S. Pete

United Steelworkers meetings have been taking place in Burns Harbor, Gary and all across the country as the union looks at what to do next in negotiations with U.S. Steel.

"Members of our USW bargaining committee have been holding meetings with our brothers and sisters at U.S. Steel locations around the country, reviewing the company's and the union's most recent contract proposals, discussing the status of negotiations and getting feedback from members about what our next steps should be," the union said in a recent update to members. "Though there has been no significant progress to report on bargaining in recent days, talks will continue, and we remain committed to bargaining for as long as it takes to reach a fair agreement."

Contract talks with ArcelorMittal are in a similar place after the Luxembourg-based steelmaker, the world’s largest by production volume, walked away from the bargaining table, according to the union. Both the union and company have expressed hopes negotiations can resume as they look to avoid a work stoppage.

Steel jobs pay better than average, and the American Iron and Steel Institute estimates every job in the steel industry supports six more, so any strike or lockout could potentially have a huge ripple effect on the Northwest Indiana economy.

FULL story at link.



Thousands attend a union steelworkers rally in Gary last month. The USW is asking its members how to proceed in negotiations that have dragged on beyond the expiration dates of previous contracts.