Steel Mills

Algoma, USW Local 2251 Reach Tentative Labor Deal

Written by Laura Miller

August 23, 2022

Canada’s Algoma Steel and the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2251 announced they have reached a new, tentative five-year labor deal.

Algoma

The bargaining committee of Local 2251 is “unanimously recommending the offer,” encouraging membership to vote in favor of the fair agreement during the ratification vote scheduled for Aug. 25 and Aug. 29. The Local represents hourly workers at Algoma’s sheet and plate mill in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

The two sides had agreed just weeks ago to avoid a strike and lockout through at least September 1, but at the time the Local bargaining committee had recommended its members reject Algoma’s prior labor offer.

Now, “We are pleased to inform our membership that we have been able to negotiate a fair agreement with Algoma Steel,” stated USW Local 2251 president Mike DaPrat. “We believe that this agreement will serve our needs for the next five years. The negotiating committee wishes to thank its members for their continued support throughout the process.”

“This agreement avoids disruption to our operations and directs our attention to continuing the exciting momentum we have generated together on course to becoming a leading provider of green steel in North America,” commented Algoma president and CEO Michael Garcia.

Members of USW Local 2724, representing Algoma’s salaried workers, ratified their new labor agreement on July 26.

By Laura Miller, Laura@SteelMarketUpdate.com

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held a variety of positions within the steel industry since 2007, including reporting and editing for Steel Business Briefing/Platts, the Association for Iron and Steel Technology, and Kallanish Commodities, as well as marketing for what was then known as ThyssenKrupp Steel USA (now AM/NS Calvert). After a five-year hiatus working across other industries, she returned to steel in 2021 and has covered the flat rolled, tubular, and trade areas of the industry. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at laura@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7869.

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