PITTSBURGH, Pa.—As contract talks began here July 9, ArcelorMittal is seeking major concessions from
the United Steelworkers, The union said the company’s initial proposal included forcing workers to choose between “paying expensive premiums to stay in a lesser Preferred Provider Organization plan ($200 per month for a family)” or another plan with $8,000 per year in out-of-pocket expenses, as well as doubling retirees’ monthly health-care contributions. “The company’s initial proposal fails to include any wage or pension increases or specific commitments to invest in the future of our facilities, even though the market for steel and the products we supply has improved dramatically from the historic lows we experienced in 2015,” the Steelworkers said in a statement. “Clearly, our committee has much work to do when bargaining resumes in Pittsburgh on Monday, July 16.” The Luxembourg-based steelmaker’s CEO told the Times of Northwest Indiana that the company needs to bring costs down to compete with increasingly advanced mini-mills. The union agreed to a wage freeze after working more than six months under an expired contract during the 2015-16 talks. That agreement will expire on Sept. 1. Read more
