Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) voted to ratify a new four-year master agreement that covers about 1,600 production and maintenance workers at five Alcoa facilities in the U.S.
The contract includes annual wage increases of more than 12 percent over the term of the agreement and maintains high-quality, affordable health care coverage. The contract covers USW Local 104 at Alcoa’s Warrick, Indiana, facility; Local 420A at Massena, New York; Local 5073 at Gum Springs, Arkansas; Local 4370 at Point Comfort, Texas; and Local 310A in Wenatchee, Washington.
“This is a challenging time for these workers, with unfair trade and declining prices taking their toll on the U.S. aluminum industry,” said USW International President Thomas M. Conway. “Thanks to their strength and solidarity, they were able to achieve a fair agreement, one that makes sure they can continue to care for their families and also positions the company for future success.”
Bargaining stretched past the previous contract’s expiration date in May. As talks continued, workers voted to authorize the USW bargaining committee to call a strike if necessary, while they stayed on the job under the terms and conditions of the expired collective bargaining agreement.
The new contract, which runs through May 15, 2023, is the first since Alcoa split into two companies in November 2016. Alcoa, which dates to 1888, retained its smelting and refining operations while spinning off a downstream products division now known as Arconic.
Published in the October 2019 Edition