United Steelworkers, US Steel Reach Tentative Deal in 8-Month Lockout

Union members to hold ratification vote Thursday

NANTICOKE, ON, April 8 /CNW/ - A tentative agreement has been reached between negotiating teams for United Steelworkers Local 8782 and US Steel Canada's Lake Erie Works facility in Nanticoke.

Details of the tentative agreement cannot be disclosed until they are presented to union members and a ratification vote is held, said USW Local 8782 President Bill Ferguson.

The agreement will be presented to members at a meeting Monday, April 12, at the Port Dover Community Centre, beginning at 6 p.m. Union members will vote on the proposed contract Thursday, April 15. The location and times for the vote have yet to be determined.

Lake Erie Works employees were locked out by US Steel on August 3, 2009. The lockout followed the layoff of about 800 workers from the same facility in March 2009.

Meanwhile, the federal government continues its court case against US Steel, alleging the company violated production and employment commitments made under the Investment Canada Act when it purchased the former Stelco operations in Canada.

For further information: Bill Ferguson, President, USW Local 8782, [phone], ext. 221, [phone]