NEGAUNEE — About 1,000 people showed up Saturday afternoon for a union rally at Miners Park in Negaunee.

The rally was held by members of the United Steelworkers Local 4950 & Local 4974. The contracts for the local unions, which operate at the Empire Mine (4950) and Tilden Mine (4974), are set to expire Oct. 1.

USW officials are currently working on a new contract with officials from Cliffs Natural Resources. No one at the rally would comment about the ongoing talks, but one union member did speak with ABC 10 about holding a rally in the midst of contract negotiations.

“It’s a show of support for our community,” said Mike Grondz, a member of USW Local 4950. “They support us and we support them. It’s just a way for us to say thanks and show some solidarity between not only our community, but our good union members.”

ABC 10 will continue to keep you informed on the contract negotiations as information becomes available.

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