SHELBY, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—United Steelworkers Local 3057 has announced plans to strike at ArcelorMittal in Shelby, effective at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, following unsuccessful negotiations with company officials.
This announcement was made by Steve Ackerman, a representative from the USW International.
In a statement, Ackerman confirmed that Local 3057 has formally notified ArcelorMittal of their intentions to initiate a strike but expressed the union’s willingness to continue negotiations in hopes of reaching an agreement.
On Monday morning, Ackerman met with ArcelorMittal representatives to discuss outstanding issues, but he stated that there was still no resolution.
If parties don’t come to an agreement by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, then the plant will officially be on strike.
Negotiations between the union and ArcelorMittal commenced on September 2, with employees currently working under an extension of their previous contract that expired on October 31.
The impending strike will be a work stoppage.
The central issue remains labor conditions.
The bargaining unit consists of approximately 450 ArcelorMittal employees, all of whom will forfeit their pay during the strike.
Regarding potential picketing, Ackerman indicated that if a strike occurs, picketing is likely to start at the Union Hall. “We’re willing to keep meeting and negotiating. I don’t know if the company will be or not — I hope so. Hopefully, we can reach an agreement before tomorrow,” he said.
Ackerman stressed that workers want a fair contract never want to have a strike.
As tensions rise, both workers and company officials are watching closely to see if a last-minute deal can be struck to avert the strike.