New details of steelworkers contract revealed

 

Published on 8/30/2008
Written by Scott Harper


Just in time for Labor Day a “tentative” labor agreement has been reached between the United Steelworkers of America and the management of ArcelorMittal, the worlds largest steel manufacturer and owner of Georgetown’s steel plant.
Last week, the union membership gave the contract negotiators permission to call for a strike if the talks failed.
“Strike averted.”
That’s what USA Local 7898 President James Sanderson said Saturday after a new four-year deal was reached.  The two sides have been negotiating a contract for a few months. The current contract expires at 11:59 p.m. tonight.
Sanderson - who was in Pittsburgh for the talks - said the deal was reached at about 5 a.m. Saturday.
Sanderson would not release details about the new contract since it still has to be voted on by USWA members. However, the Associated Press reports the new contract provides a lump sum payment of $6,000 following ratification, plus a $1 hourly increase in the first year and 4% increases in each of the following three years.
It also provides for an increase in the company's contribution to pensions for current workers and increases for retirees; fixed health care contributions through the life of the contract; and a $3 billion capital investment in ArcelorMittal plants.
Sanderson said union members will receive a packet in the mail containing the new labor agreement. A meeting will be scheduled for workers to ask questions and vote on the contract.
“I have no doubt it will be overwhelmingly ratified,” Sanderson predicted. “This is great news, especially here on Labor Day weekend.”
In an email, USW International President Leo W. Gerard wrote: "Our members and retirees at ArcelorMittal now have the opportunity to enjoy the employment security and retirement security they earned through years of hard work and sacrifice."
The new contract will not only cover the more than 300 hourly workers at Georgetown’s mill but also the 14,000-plus ArcelorMittal workers nationwide.

Disappointed is an idiot!!!!

Posted by Accountstud on 9/20/2008

Which Majority of citizens are you refering to Disappointed?I know it can't be the middle class or lower class.If you don't like the plant or the citizens who work there butts off there you can always move.Money does'nt seem to be a problem for you!

Posted by disgusted on 9/1/2008

I guess the gentleman that wishes so hard for the plant to close is so brave to put his comments in that he wouldn't even sign his name. I am the spouse of an employee of Mittal steel and maybe this man has enough money to pay each employee's bills and keep a roof over their heads. Come on you are obviously using your head for something other than thinking or either you are wealthy and don't have to worry about thinks that the middle class families have to worry about such as taking proper care of their families and staying off of the unemplyment lists. People such as this need to get a grip and come down to earth and see the reality of living in the real world and how important job stability is.

Posted by Cynthia Moore on 9/1/2008

I am still amazed at how we let people that are not from our community come in and tell us how to run it. We not only need the jobs that are at the steel mill but the hundreds of jobs that are affected when the plant closes.The mill has been a major part of this town for years and I for one hope it will be here for years to come.

Posted by Mickie Todd on 9/1/2008

I am not sure about the majority of Georgetown. But I know that the workers, contractors, and businesses that benefit from the steel mill are glad things worked out. Hopefully, a decent portion of the $3 billion will be invested at Georgetown and you never see your dream come true. I suppose your lack of appreciation for business is the reason for your unemployment.

Posted by Amazed on 8/31/2008

Tim... I think my thoughts are pretty clear. Yes, I would like to see the plant close and close forever, be dismantled, cleaned up, and land put to use otherwise. Further, as I said, in my conversations over the years, I think the majority of those in Georgetown would like to see the plant close. I've been out of work several times in the past, but I always bounced back and made it.

Posted by Disappointed... on 8/31/2008

I don't understand this gentalmans comment and being disapointed that they came to an agreement. The likelyhood of a plant closing would be guarenteed if they had struck. That would put 300 people out of work there. Unless this gentleman WANTS the plant to close. We had a major plant closing some years ago here. Guess what it does to the tax base and property values. The times are hard enough,, carefull what you ask for.

Posted by Tim Kobat on 8/31/2008

Phooey!! They're not going to strike! Well, just maybe ArcelorMittal will need to cut back somewhere to cover the new contract, and just maybe the Georgetown Mill will appear on the 'close' list. What a relief that would be to the MAJORITY of the citizens of Georgetown.

Posted by Disappointed... on 8/31/2008

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