CONTACT: Tony Montana (412) 562-2592
PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that members of Local 0639 at Eramet’s manganese plant in Marietta, Ohio, have ratified a new, three-year contract that covers about 110 workers.
The agreement improves wages and benefits and demonstrates both parties’ commitment to the long-term future of the plant without concessions from the hourly workforce. Notably, the contract strengthens seniority language and protects jobs by maintaining limits on the company’s use of outside contractors.
USW District 1 Director David McCall praised the members of Local 0639 for standing together during the process, as well as the USW negotiating committee and their management counterparts for their work at the bargaining table.
“The solidarity of our membership gives us the strength we need to negotiate fair contracts and ensure that we are treated with respect and dignity on the job,” McCall said. “When we work in partnership with management to achieve our common goals, we can accomplish truly great results.”
USW District 1 Staff Representative John Saunders, who chairs negotiations with Eramet, said that the union and management will work together to improve productivity in Marietta as well as to address trade and environmental issues.
“Ratifying this agreement with Eramet is important to our union because the company supplies high quality manganese for many American steel producers,” Saunders said. “Even more importantly, at a time when good jobs with fair pay and benefits are disappearing at an astonishing rate, this contract provides much needed economic security and stability for our members, their families and community.”
The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector and service occupations.