Our USW-Cliffs bargaining committee held another series of discussions with the company this week as we work toward a new collective bargaining agreement. Our current agreement expires on October 1.
This week we presented the company with a comprehensive economic proposal that addressed issues including real hourly wage increases, forced overtime, active health care coverage and retiree health care coverage, as well as the issue of mine life for Hibbing Taconite. All of our proposals were based on the feedback we received from members when we conducted our surveys earlier this year.
We expect to hear from the company again on Monday, Sept. 17. We will keep everyone posted when we have more information on the company’s response, so please continue to stay in touch with your CAT coordinators for the latest information from the bargaining table.
Solidarity Works!
As bargaining continues and our contract expiration date approaches, your solidarity will be the most important factor in achieving a fair agreement. Please continue to display your USW stickers and participate in our weekly “T-shirt Thursdays” and other solidarity events as they come up to show the company that you stand with our bargaining committee.
Our committee’s goal is to reach an agreement that rewards us fairly for our hard work. We are committed to working with the company for as long as it takes to do that, and we are counting on you to help us make sure that management gets the message.
