USW & UAW Contract Negotiations to Impact Steel Industry

I was speaking with the owner of a manufacturing company late last week. He told me his company had a number of union plants and he has negotiated a number of union contracts over the past few years. “People don’t strike anymore,” he said, “unless someone puts a line in the sand and forces the issue.” He went on, “Health care, you have to come up with some viable solution.” He then told us, “The steel mills are not the issue. It is going to be auto where profits are high. What is the perspective of the union worker who gave all kind of concessions to bring the industry back? Michigan is a right to work state….”

“Sept. 7, Labor Day — Always a big day for the UAW and, in a contract year, can be the day the union picks a lead automaker for contract talks. Sept. 14: Four-year contract with GM, Ford and FCA US expires for about 140,000 hourly autoworkers. Oct. 1, 2015: Six-year contract with John Deere expires for 11,000 workers.” Detroit Free Press (article continues below)