USWA give Mittal contract 1'815 thumbs up

USWA give Mittal contract 1’815 thumbs up

The 300 steelworkers at Mittal Steel USA's Minorca Mine and 5'000 at its Indiana Harbor plant in East Chicago have a new contract. United Steelworkers of America (USWA) members approved the new contract by a margin of 1'815 to 1'663. The contract will be valid until September 1, 2008. It keeps pension and health care benefits for both current employees and retired. It also gives workers an immediate raise. Perhaps one of the most notable parts of the contract is elimination of 25 job classes bringing the total number down to five. The move was heralded by a USWA official who said it will give workers a greater definition of duties and bring about more flexibility.