Cliffs-USW reach tentative agreement

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and the United Steelworkers Union, after only three days of talks this week, reached a tentative agreement Wednesday.

The company says the new 37 month labor contract offer will cover approximately 2,400 USW-represented workers at Cliffs’ Empire and Tilden mines in Michigan, and its United Taconite and Hibbing Taconite mines in Minnesota.

David Blake, Senior Vice President, North America Iron Ore Operations, commented, “We are pleased to reach a new tentative labor contract that is fair and equitable to both parties, and provides Cliffs a competitive cost structure for future success.  Cliffs’ most valuable resource is our employees, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership.”

The agreement is pending ratification by USW local union memberships.