Steelworkers, US Steel reach tentative agreement [Duluth News Tribune, Minn.]

Nov. 8—DULUTH — After months of tense negotiations, union members at two mines and taconite plants on the Iron Range have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract.

The United Steelworkers and U.S. Steel announced a new four-year contact Tuesday. If ratified, the contract would cover employees at the Minntac and Keetac iron ore mines and pellet plants in Mountain Iron and Keewatin, respectively, as well as thousands of other USW-represented employees at the company's domestic steelmaking facilities.

In total, the contract would cover approximately 11,000 USW-represented employees working for U.S. Steel.

According to U.S. Steel's website on negotiation updates, workers will see a 20% increase in base wages over four years, no change to current health insurance coverage and $1 billion investment in USW-represented facilities,

among other items.

The USW bargaining committee unanimously recommends approval of the contract, USW said in a text message to union members Tuesday.

In the message, USW said it the contract includes "wage increases, improvements to healthcare with no premiums, improved retirement benefits, an additional holiday, improved vacation, new parental leave and a $4,000 bonus."

In a news release, U.S. Steel President and CEO David Burritt said the company was "pleased" to reach an agreement "that supports our unionized workforce while balancing the interests of all our stakeholders."

"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' well being 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," Burritt said.

The tentative agreement likely marks the end of a tense months-long negotiation process between the union and company.

USW members and supporters

held a demonstration outside of Keetac last month

when Burritt and Gov. Tim Walz were there to celebrate the direct-reduced iron plant under construction. USW also held a march and rally in Virginia the following weekend.

USW

has already ratified new four-year contracts with Cleveland-Cliffs

, which operates the other mines and plants on the Iron Range.

The contract with Cliffs led to an increase in base wages by 20% over four years, improvements in insurance benefits

and $4 billion in investment to USW-represented facilities,

USW said.

That contract was being held up as an example for U.S. Steel to follow. USW members will still need to vote on ratifying the new contract.

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