Steelworkers Halt ArcelorMittal Talks

The United Steelworkers of America said it has broken off talks with ArcelorMittal USA Inc. after becoming dissatisfied with the progress toward a new contract with the Chicago-based subsidiary of the world’s largest steelmaker.

The union said Monday, August 11, that there was no timetable for returning to the bargaining table after negotiations recessed on Friday, August 8. ArcelorMittal said August 11 that it expected negotiations to resume this week.

“The parties have made a lot of progress and remain committed to the process of concluding an agreement before the September 1 expiration of the current agreement,” a spokesman for the company said.

In a written notice to rank-and-file members, the Pittsburgh-based union described the company’s latest contract offer as being “inferior to our needs and demands.” The union represents more than 10,000 workers at ArcelorMittal mills in Illinois and northwest Indiana.

Filed by Bob Tita of Crain’s Chicago Business, a sister publication of Workforce Management. To comment, e-mail editors@workforce.com.