Steel Mills
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/976ba3360c3eaa3ecef1c8ef1668ecdc.jpg)
USW Continues Talks with US Steel
Written by Sandy Williams
September 12, 2015
US Steel and the USW are continuing efforts to hammer out a deal at the bargaining table. In a Sept 10 update the USW said negotiations were progressing slowing with progress on some significant issues but with “unrealistic and unacceptable demands for concessions” on others.
Unacceptable to the union is a two tier plan that excludes employees hired after Jan. 1, 2016 from the current health plan and substitutes a high deductible plan similar to salaried workers. Current employee would pay deductibles and see higher copays, co-insurance and out-of-pocket maximums.
US Steel has dropped the proposal to eliminate the current retiree medical plan for Medicare-eligible retirees and surviving spouses but still proposes higher premiums and drug copays for Medicare-eligible retirees and surviving spouses and substantial cost shifting for non-Medicare-eligible retirees and surviving spouses.
The USW is also concerned about health and safety issues at the facilities and the practice of contracting out day-to-day maintenance without prior notification. Sickness and accident benefits would be denied to employees with less than three years of services. US Steel proposes changing profit sharing payments from quarterly to annually.
The USW encouraged members to remain strong through negotiations: “Solidarity – it is more than just a word or a song that we sing. It is what helped the generations of union members who came before us build the middle class.”
ATI
USW International Vice President Tom Conway released the following statement on Sept. 11 following a meeting with representatives of Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (ATI).
“The USW met today with ATI with the participation of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and made a proposal in an attempt to end the lockout. ATI failed to respond and maintained its position in its “last, best and final” offer.
“The USW remains ready to continue discussions and we call on ATI once again to come to their senses and settle a fair contract which would put our members back to work making steel.”
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/sandy-williams.jpeg)
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/stelco.png)
Steel Summit 2024: Stelco CEO reflects on strategy, growth, and sale to Cleveland-Cliffs
In a candid fireside chat with SMU Senior Analyst/Editor David Schollert, Stelco’s CEO Alan Kestenbaum opened up about Stelco’s pending sale to Cliffs, his business strategy, outlook for the industry, and plans for the future. The chat took place on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the 2024 SMU Steel Summit in Atlanta.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/AISI.png)
AISI: US steel shipments unchanged in July vs. June, down on-year
Domestic steel shipments remained nearly flat in July month over month but fell from a year earlier.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/white_house.png)
Media reports: Biden could block USS sale on national security concerns
President Joe Biden could block the $15-billion sale of U.S. Steel to Japan's Nippon Steel by citing national security concerns That’s according to reporting in the Washington Post and the Financial Times that was later picked up by the New York Times as well as in wire services.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/US_Steel.png)
USS threatens to cut ‘thousands’ of jobs, move HQ if Nippon sale blocked
U.S. Steel could slash thousands of jobs, shift away from integrated steelmaking, and move its headquarters out of Pittsburgh if its acquisition by Nippon Steel isn’t completed, the company’s top executive said. “We want elected leaders and other key decision makers to recognize the benefits of the deal was well as the unavoidable consequences if the deal fails,” company President and CEO David Burritt said in a statement on Wednesday.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/SSAB.png)
CRU: SSAB to expand Mobile plate mill
SSAB plans to spend $12 million to boost production capacity at its electric-arc furnace (EAF) plate mill in Mobile, Ala. The Sweden-based steelmaker will do that by expanding the existing furnace there. Shot blast equipment will also be upgraded. The expanded capacity is expected to come online late next year. The mill currently has an […]