MINNEAPOLIS: Tensions are rising on Minnesota’s Iron Range as a deadline approaches in steelworkers’ contract talks. Labor contracts are set to expire for 30,000 American steelworkers. That includes 2,300 on the Iron Range, an area recently hit by 1,400 layoffs.Bargaining in Pittsburgh has turned contentious in recent weeks, creating the possibility of more protests and lockouts or even strikes, the Star Tribune.
Steelworker rallies have been held around the nation, including in Minnesota. Steelworkers plan to form a “practice picket line” on Tuesday at ArcelorMittal Minorca in Virginia, Minnesota.“People are a bit anxious now because it’s coming down to the wire,” said Harold Anderson, an ArcelorMittal electrician who has worked in the 310-employee Minorca taconite plant in Virginia for nearly eight years.
“People are more concerned this time around than ever.”Union officials contend that U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal the world’s largest steelmaker -are asking for too many concessions.Brian Zarn, president of Steelworkers Local 6860 in Eveleth, and other union officials told workers at an Aug. 20 rally in Virginia that U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal are using the temporary downturn in the U.S. steel market “as an excuse to permanently gut workers’ contract language and benefits.
”Both U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal declined to comment to the newspaper. Both have labor contracts with the United Steelworkers that expire Tuesday.Also not commenting are officials at Ohio-based Cliffs Natural Resources, which has 1,250 employees at north-eastern Minnesota operations in Eveleth, Forbes and Hibbing. Cliffs’ steelworker contracts expire Oct. 1. Bargaining begins Sept. 8.
