Vol. 79/No. 36       October 12, 2015

More rallies were held at shift changes throughout the day here, at the mill in nearby Burns Harbor and at company mills and mines across the country in response to the Sept. 28 resumption of negotiations between the USW and ArcelorMittal. The company walked out of negotiations on Sept. 12.

Contracts affecting some 30,000 Steelworkers at ArcelorMittal and U.S. Steel expired Sept. 1. The steel giants are demanding steep concessions, including lower wages and benefits for new hires and increased health care costs for currently employed and retired members.

The bosses claim that deep and lasting concessions are needed due to a contraction in steel production rooted in falling demand in China and elsewhere. Thousands of steelworkers have been laid off, both at iron ore mines and union-organized steel mills.

The initial offer from ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel producer, proposed health care plans for active and retired workers with reduced coverage and increased costs, instituting for the first time monthly premiums of $150 for an individual and $250 for a family, a three-year contract with no wage increase, and major reductions in vacation pay and sickness and accident benefits.

“We are in for a long fight,” Darrell Reed, a member of Local 1010’s grievance committee, told the Militant. “I’m not optimistic that the latest negotiations will get us something we can live with. Both active and retired members have to stand together. Health care is a major issue, especially for retirees. For some of them the company’s offer means not having enough money for food after paying for health care.”

“My dad, who retired from the mill, only gets a pension of $700 a month after 30-plus years,” said Carmen Hernandez, a wrapping machine operator who has worked at ArcelorMittal for 38 years. “The company wants families to pay $250 for health insurance with higher co-pays and deductibles.”

Steelworkers have been picketing 12 Allegheny Technologies Inc. plants in six states since the company locked out its 2,200 union employees Aug. 15. ATI is also demanding steep concessions and is attempting to run production with management and strikebreakers.
 
 
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