USW ALCOA Reach Deal

Pittsburgh based Alcoa says it has reached a tentative deal with the United Steelworkers on a new 4-year labor contract covering 5,400 workers at 10 manufacturing locations in the United States. Union members must still ratify the deal. “We are pleased to have a tentative agreement that is both fair to employees and addresses our cost concerns,” says Mick Wallis, president of Alcoa North American Rolled Products and chair of the Company’s Employee Relations Council. Contract talks began may 17th and strike votes had been taken at the plants. Wallis says, “We have spent the last two weeks working through some tough issues, and feel that this tentative agreement creates a future for good paying jobs at these plants. We hope for a successful outcome after the local unions have had the opportunity to talk to employees.” The previous contract expired last night but an extension kept the workers at their stations today. Union leadership has not commented on the deal. Members are expected to see the contract details soon.