The United Steelworkers union has offered to remain working at United States Steel Corp. after the expiration of its contract if a new deal is not reached by Sept. 1.
In a letter sent to the company Monday, USW International Vice President Thomas Conway said the steelworkers unconditionally offer to continue working at all of its plants covered by the basic labor agreement under the terms and conditions of the contract while both parties continue negotiations.
The union's contract with U.S. Steel (NYSE: X) is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 1. The contract covers 16,500 steelworkers across the U.S.
We urge your acceptance of this proposal, as it will give the parties the fullest possible opportunity to resolve their differences and thereby avoid a work stoppage," Conway wrote in the letter.
The letter goes on to say that if the company accepts the proposal and the USW should later decide to strike, the union will provide U.S. Steel with at least 48 hours notice of its intent to strike. Conway said the 48-hour period, or a longer period, if necessary, is for the purpose of meeting with U.S. Steel representatives to assure arrangements are put in place for an orderly, safe shutdown of U.S. Steel's facilities.
A representative of U.S. Steel was not immediately available to comment.
The USW is planning a series of solidarity events Sept. 1 as more than 30,000 steelworkers across the country are in the process of bargaining new labor agreements. In Pittsburgh, the USW is planning a rally at its headquarters followed by a march to U.S. Steel and Allegheny Technologies Inc.'s respective headquarters.
ATI (NYSE: ATI) locked out more than 2,200 steelworkers Aug. 15 after the company said ongoing labor negotiations stalled. No further negotiations between the company and union have been scheduled to date.
Source: bizjournals.com