An Introduction to Master Bargaining with U.S. Steel

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STRONGER TOGETHER

We’re stronger together - that’s why more than 10,000 steelworkers across the country bargain together for a master contract with U.S. Steel. 

These upcoming negotiations will include major issues including pay, healthcare, pension, profit sharing, paid time off, job security and safety. 

Every USW local at U.S. Steel will send representatives to the master negotiations in Pittsburgh. Our local leaders will work together with the USW’s lead bargainers and technical experts to develop proposals and determine our bargaining strategy. 

Local leaders also participate in local issue “tables” where we dig in and negotiate key issues with company counterparts. These tables include safety, benefits and pension, language, contracting out, and office and technical issues. 

LOCAL BARGAINING

In addition to our master contract, each local union bargains a local contract supplement with local management. The local supplement covers site-specific working conditions such as parking, lunch rooms, locker rooms and wash rooms. 

CONTRACT RATIFICATION

Once the union and company reach a preliminary agreement (also referred to as a “tentative agreement” or “TA”), it will be submitted to the union membership for ratification. All union members in good standing in the bargaining units covered by the master agreement are eligible to vote. Members will have an opportunity to review the TA and ask questions before voting. 

After the two sides reach a tentative agreement, the union will send a detailed summary of the proposed agreement by U.S. mail to all union members along with ballots so they can participate in the ratification vote. They will also hold meetings where members can ask questions and get additional information. When members return their ballots, they go to a secure post office box in Pittsburgh, where a teller’s committee made up of local union members will count the votes. 

Ballots are pooled across all master agreement units and locations, and a simple majority determines whether the agreement is ratified. 

Every member has an equal voice in whether or not to ratify a contract. 

USW LOCALS BARGAINING TOGETHER AT U.S. STEEL

Our contract negotiations with U.S. Steel cover workers in production, maintenance, office and technical, plant protection, emergency services, fire and security at 13 locations. 

• Local 1299; Great Lakes Works; Ecorse, Mich.
• Local 1014; Gary Eastside; Gary, Ind.
• Local 1066; Gary Westside; Gary, Ind.
• Local 2695; Gary Works/Midwest; Gary/Portage, Ind.
• Local 6103; Midwest; Portage, Ind.
• Local 1899; Granite City; Granite City, Ill.
• Local 1013; Fairfield Tubular; Fairfield, Ala.
• Local 2122; Fairfield Flat Roll; Fairfield, Ala.
• Local 1219; Edgar Thomson Works; Braddock, Pa.
• Local 1557; Clairton Coke Works; Clairton, Pa. 
• Local 2227; Irvin Works; West Mifflin, Pa.
• Local 2227-1; Mon Valley Works; Mon Valley, Pa.
• Local 4889; Fairless; Fairless Hills, Pa. 
• Local 1938; Minntac; Mt. Iron, Minn. 
• Local 2660; Keetac; Keewatin, Minn. 
• Local 1104; Lorain Tubular; Lorain, Ohio

GET TEXT UPDATES ABOUT CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

Text USS to the phone number 47486.