With contract expiring, USW workers gather for rally

Union workers at U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal agreed to continue working under a temporary extension of their contract, which also will allow bargaining to continue. Our contract will expire tomorrow at midnight.

Union leaders have been meeting with the companies in Pittsburgh since July.

“We’re continuing to bargain, we’ve been making some small steps forward”, said United Steelworkers district director John Rebrovich, of Eveleth.

An ArcelorMittal spokeswoman said the company appreciates and shares the United Steelworkers’ commitment to averting a work stoppage, and is pleased to have secured a “continue to work agreement” with the union while negotiations continue.

Thousands of workers and supporters are planning to hold rallies Tuesday at ArcelorMittal offices in Chicago and northern Indiana.

Union workers got the same message over U.S. Steel contract talks.

All USW members should continue reporting for work as scheduled.

An estimated 2,000 showed up for a two-hour rally in Pittsburgh, which included speeches at the union’s headquarters on the Boulevard of the Allies, followed by marches to the Downtown headquarters of ATI and U.S. Steel, where there were more speeches. “We’re all together. We’re a union; what effects one effects us all”, she said.

The companies say low global prices and a gush of cheap steel imports require significant changes for the steel producers to survive.

“We’re ready and willing to keep talking and keep working for as long as it takes to reach a fair agreement”, said USW global Vice President Tom Conway, who is leading negotiations with U.S. Steel, in a statement.

In all, some 4,500 Iron Range employees at five taconite plants are affected by the contract talks.

Steelworker rallies have been held around the nation, including in Minnesota.