Steelworkers and US Steel reach tentative agreement [Duluth News Tribune, Minn.] – InsuranceNewsNet

November 8—DULUTH — After months of tense negotiations, union members at two taconite mines and mills on the Iron range reached an agreement in principle on a new contract.

The United Steelworkers and WE Steel announced a new four-year-old contact on Tuesday. If ratified, the contract will cover workers at Minntac and Keetac iron ore mines and pellet plants in mountain iron and Keewatinrespectively, along with thousands of other USW-represented employees at the company’s national steel facilities.

In total, the contract would cover approximately 11,000 USW-represented employees working for WE Steel.

According WE Steel’s website on bargaining updates, workers will see a 20% increase in base pay over four years, no changes to current health insurance coverage and $1 billion investment in facilities represented by the USW,

among other items.

The USW bargaining committee unanimously recommends approval of the contract, the USW said in a text message to union members on Tuesday.

In the message, the USW said the contract includes “wage increases, premium-free health care improvements, enhanced retirement benefits, additional vacations, improved vacations, new parental leave and a $4,000 prime.”

In a press release, WE President and CEO of Steel David Burritt said the company was “pleased” to reach an agreement “that supports our unionized workforce while balancing the interests of all our stakeholders.”

“The tentative agreement reflects our fundamental belief that when US Steel does well, employees do well. Strong base salary increases and benefits enhancements to support the well-being of our employees are key elements of this agreement. of principle, as we know their hard work is essential to delivering sustainable steel solutions for people and planet and improving our customer satisfaction,” said Burritt.

The tentative agreement likely marks the end of a months-long tense negotiation process between the union and the company.

USW Members and Supporters

staged a protest outside Keetac last month

when Burritt and Gov. Tim Walz were there to celebrate the DRI plant under construction. The USW also held a march and rally in Virginia the following weekend.

USW

has already ratified new four-year contracts with Cleveland Cliffs

which operates the other mines and factories in the Iron range.

The contract with Cliffs resulted in a 20% increase in base salaries over four years, improvements in insurance benefits

and $4 billion in investment in the facilities represented by the USW,

said the USW.

This contract was presented as an example for WE Steel to follow. USW members will still have to vote on whether to ratify the new contract.

___

(c)2022 the Duluth News Tribune (Duluth, Minnesota)

Visit the Duluth News Tribune (Duluth, Minnesota) at www.duluthnewstribune.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.