Steel of West Virginia and union reach tentative deal

A tentative agreement for a new labor contract has been reached between the United Steelworkers Union Local 37 and Steel of West Virginia. A strike was planned for Tuesday at 11 p.m. but was put on hold after a last-minute deal was reached between the union and Steel of West Virginia late Tuesday. Details of the agreement have not been released yet. Friday, union workers will vote on the new contract, which, if ratified, will be valid for three years. If an agreement cannot be made, the union reserves the right to strike at 11 p.m. Friday. Steel of West Virginia workers have been working since Sunday without a contract. Union officials have been trying to negotiate a new contract since April, but one has yet to be agreed upon. Some major sticking points for union workers are rising insurance premiums and non-guaranteed pension commitments.