Steel Mills

USW/Cliffs Master Negotiations Begin with Promise
Written by David Schollaert
July 14, 2022
The United Steelworkers (USW) and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. both seem eager to get a new labor pact done quickly, with potentially few hurdles along the way, statements by both parties indicate.
The USW provided members with an upbeat report following an initial round of master contract bargaining with the Cleveland-based steelmaker. Meetings were held in Pittsburgh earlier this week.
The union said that Cliffs understands that its plants run best when “management and our union work together to solve problems for the benefit of everyone.”
Talks focused on pay, healthcare, pensions, profit sharing, and job security, among other things, the union said.
The union’s report also noted that Cliffs chairman, president, and CEO Lourenco Goncalves is “committed to invest in its USW facilities” by improving production and shortening supply chains, a move that supports “long-term sustainable employment and success” of the USW workforce.
The update potentially signals a swift and peaceful negotiation between the steelworkers’ union and Cliffs. The USW anticipates that a “good faith collective bargaining will result in a fair contract,” the update said.
Cliffs echoed that sentiment.
“We have the same view as the USW. Cleveland-Cliffs and the USW have successfully negotiated agreements for decades based on our shared commitment to the middle class and our common goals,” a company spokeswoman said.
“We are confident that our bargaining process will result in a fair and equitable agreement,” she added.
The spokeswoman declined to discuss specifics of the talks “out of respect for the bargaining process”.
The USW’s current labor pact with the Cleveland-based steelmaker expires on Sept. 1.
The master contract negotiations cover the following locations. Also listed are the products those operations make:
- Local 6787: Burns Harbor, Ind. – sheet and plate mill
- Local 979: Cleveland, Ohio – sheet mill
- Local 1165: Coatesville, Pa. – plate mill
- Local 9462: Conshohocken, Pa. – plate finishing
- Local 1010: Indiana Harbor East, East Chicago, Ind. – sheet mill
- Local 1011: Indiana Harbor West, East Chicago, Ind. – sheet mill
- Local 1010: Riverdale, Ill. – compact hot strip mill
- Local 1688L Steelton, Pa. – rail mill
- Local 6115: Minorca Mines, Minn. – iron ore
- Local 1375: Warren Coke, Ohio – coke
- Local 2911: Weirton, W.Va. – tinplate
Not included under this master contract negotiation are Cliffs’ Dearborn Works in Michigan and Rockport Works in Indiana, both represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW).
By David Schollaert, David@SteelMarketUpdate.com

David Schollaert
Read more from David SchollaertLatest in Steel Mills

Nippon could up investment in USS facilities to $7B: Report
It's the latest twist as the proxy battle heats up for Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel.

Hybar expansion still on the table as Arkansas mill startup nears
As Hybar nears the completion of its $700-million rebar mill in Arkansas, the company said it is still “actively considering” building other steel facilities in the southern US.

Global steel production edges lower in February
February’s global raw steel output is tied with last December's for the fourth-lowest monthly production rate recorded over the past two years.

Fate of U.S. Steel hangs in the balance
The future of U.S. Steel remains unclear, but the proxy fight for control of the company is heating up. Shareholders will cast their votes on the company's future at the annual meeting in May.

Cliffs to idle Dearborn blast furnace, restart Cleveland furnace by July
Cleveland-Cliffs has decided to idle the steelmaking operations at its Dearborn Works in Michigan due to weak automotive demand.