Ross Expects Wage Increases for Steelworkers

Labor negotiations at ArcelorMittal have slowed after making some progress last week. A United Steelworkers update said the union will hold firm against company demands for concessions from members or retirees.

The USW negotiating committee at U.S. Steel also reported some progress during discussions last week.

Talks are expected to continue this week in Pittsburgh for both companies. The collective bargaining agreements expired on Sept. 1 and USW members are currently working under a contract extension. Strike authorization has been approved by USW locals at U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal.

On Friday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross commented on the ongoing negotiations and said he expects that a wage increase will be a likely outcome for workers.

“In many ways, the current negotiations between the steel companies and the USW (United Steelworkers) probably will be a bellwether,” Ross said in an interview with Reuters. “It wouldn’t be surprising if there are some wage increases coming from that.”