ArcelorMittal employees mark 16 days on picket line Thursday

SHELBY — Over two weeks — 16 days — ArcelorMittal employees have remained on strike, continuing a labor dispute that began after contract talks stalled earlier this month.

Workers with United Steelworkers Local 3057 confirmed the strike Jan. 13 after negotiations failed to produce an agreement.

Picket lines have stayed active outside the Shelby facility facility as employees continue to call for meaningful discussions with company leadership.

The community support has kept picketers strong through the days and cold weather. The picketers highlighted their appreciation for the constant support and love they have been shown.

“It certainly means a lot,” an ArcelorMittal employee said Thursday.

“This one feels different”

One ArcelorMittal employee on the picket line said he has worked for the company for about 14 years and has experienced previous strikes.

“This one feels different,” he said. “The company actually wanted to talk during the last one. This one it doesn’t seem like they want to talk at all.”

Picketers said they feel the company has not taken their concerns seriously, particularly as the strike has stretched past the two-week mark.

“It’s not about money at all,” another ArcelorMittal employee said. “It’s mostly over insurance and a 12-hour workday, where the company can impose either 12- or 10-hour days and those would be a straight time until you hit 40 hours.”

He said the company had an incentive known as the 19/2. This guaranteed two days off every 19 days.

“That wasn’t in the contract,” he said. “But right before this contract came up, they stopped doing that.”

Union highlights community impact and support

Steve Ackerman, a USW International representative, said union leaders met with ArcelorMittal officials Wednesday, but made no progress.

“Not much was accomplished,” Ackerman said.

He said the company and union dealt with similar issues during a strike four years ago, though he noted the circumstances differ.

“The one they had four years ago was over similar issues, not completely the same, but similar,” Ackerman added. “We’re just trying to find a resolution.”

Ackerman said no one involved want the strike to happen.

“It’s just unfortunate,” he said. “I know what kind of group of hard-workers there are here and no one ever wants to see this happen.”

He said the longer the strike continues, the more damage it could do to the company’s workforce.

“It’s a shame because they are going to lose valuable employees,” Ackerman said. “They probably already have, especially the longer it goes on.”

Ackerman emphasized the role the Shelby facility plays in the community and the importance of its workers.

“This is a good community, and these workers are the backbone of the company,” he said. “They are a big part of the community.”

He said the community support they have seen over the last couple weeks has helped keep the workers encouraged during the strike.

“At least it’s good to see the community is supporting them the way they are,” Ackerman said. “They’ve been insanely supportive, and it’s awesome to see.”

Labor dispute turns into strike

Negotiations between the union and ArcelorMittal began Sept. 2, with employees working under an extension of their previous contract since Oct. 31.

According to Ackerman there are about 450 employees at ArcelorMittal in the bargaining unit. These employees forfeit their pay while on strike.

Ackerman and other union representatives met with company officials Jan. 12, but were unable to reach an agreement. The two parties did not meet the following day. The United Steelworkers Local 3057 officially went on strike Jan. 13 at 11:59 p.m.

“We just want a fair and reasonable contract,” he said.