Nanticoke steel workers consider offer

Members of the United Steel Workers local 8782 are meeting in Port Dover to discuss an offer from U.S. Steel that could end the four month lockout at Nanticoke.

They rejected what the company described as its final offer on July 31st.

They have been locked out for four months. Employees reached a tentative five-year collective agreement with the company last week, but reps for Steelworkers union local 8782 say they recommending members reject the deal.

Our Sean Leathong was there and has the story.

As members of local 8782 meet to discuss the latest contract proposal by U.S. Steel, some are hopeful.

“It looks good to me, I’m ready to go back.”

“If this is the best we can do, then we got to go from here.”

The merits of the offer was discussed in three separate, closed door meetings. The offer on the table has positives like a $2,500 signing bonus and a five-year term. But, there are no raises over that five-year term and concessions in areas like the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) which means union heads will not support it.

“We’re not endorsing it. It was not what we were sent to get, there are concessions in the package.”

Back at the Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke, the chains are still there, as are signs of a long labour dispute.

“Many of us feel it’s time, we’re looking for a good contract.”

With 37 years experience, Ken Gilpin is the most senior employee on the line, and has a son attending McMaster in the fall.

“That always comes with obligations of course, and one would be preferring to work to support those obligations.”

“It’s been exactly four months since the lockout began that’s a hundred and twenty-three days and though union leaders aren’t satisfied with the deal, they say it’s the employees who decide if these chains come off, and they go back to work.”

“We’re going to show everybody the contract, were going to give them the facts and at that point, they can vote.”

All say that this is a better offer than the one last month, and that has some members looking for more.

“They’re just trying to see if our members are weak enough to take concession. Still, I think there’s a fair deal out there and this isn’t the one.”

Members will take two days to discuss the offer with their families, and then vote, on Friday.