An impasse in contract talks between the United Steelworkers and Arcelor-Mittal is about "major economic issues," according to union leaders. News reports say health benefits are a major sticking point.
If no deal is in place by the midnight Sunday deadline, a strike could halt work by the union's 14,000 members nationwide. Some fear a strike would further restrict a tight product supply and push already-high steel prices higher. Today's voting is not to strike but to authorize one if union leaders determine that's necessary. The rank and file rarely turns down this preliminary step.
GRANAKIS: In all of them, there has not been one dissenting vote.
Mark Granakis is President of Steelworkers Local 979 in Cleveland. He says neither side wants a work stoppage.
GRANAKIS: I won't say I'm optimistic or not optimistic. I can tell you I'm continuing to work. I'm going back to Pittsburgh tomorrow, and I'll work right up until the deadline, trying to get the labor agreement done. I haven't given up hope.
In a written statement steel-maker Arcelor Mittal says the two sides have reached agreement on dozens of key subjects, and that a "handful" of issues remain unresolved.
