Tentative labor agreement reached between USW and U.S. Steel

After some tense months of back and forth negotiations, there is now a tentative labor agreement in place between the United Steelworkers and U.S. Steel.

Union leaders left Monday for Pittsburgh, and met with the company on Tuesday.

Before noon on Tuesday, the union updated members saying the deal has been reached.

It includes wage increases, improvements to healthcare, improved retirement benefits, new parental leave, and a $4000 bonus, according to the update. And it is four years in length.

Local 1938 president Steve Bonach told us, “It’s a great tentative agreement. We weren’t 100% sure we’d get the things we were working for, but we did. I won’t say it’s pattern bargaining, but we did get things that Cleveland-Cliffs got that we wanted as well.” Local 1938 is out of Minntac.

The bargaining committee is now headed home to provide more details to the members. The USW said thanks to the solidarity of the union, they were able to reach this agreement.

U.S. Steel owns Minntac and Keetac.

The company sent out a statement. CEO Dave Burritt said, “The tentative agreement reflects our core belief that when U. S. Steel does well, employees do well. Strong base wage increases and benefit enhancements to support our employees’ wellbeing are key parts of this tentative agreement because we know their hard work is essential to delivering sustainable steel solutions for people and planet and enhancing our customer satisfaction.”

Cleveland-Cliffs has a ratified labor contract with all of its steel and mining facilities.