Short-Term agreement reached in contract talks

The United Steelworkers Union and Cliffs Natural Resources have come to a short-term agreement on a labor contract.

The short-term extension of the labor contract is in lieu of a new agreement. The parties have agreed that the Union will not strike and the Company will not lock out until 48 hours after providing written notice to the other party of their intent to be released from this no strike/no lockout commitment.

The contract extension covers approximately 2,400 USW-represented workers at Cliffs’ Empire and Tilden mines IN Marquette County and its United Taconite and Hibbing Taconite mines in Minnesota. The extension will keep the mines operating while negotiations continue.  Employees of the facilities are to report to work as scheduled.

According to a press release from company officials, Cliffs began this round of collective bargaining with the United Steelworkers in early May with the objective of reaching a new labor agreement.  Cliffs stated that the company remains committed to the negotiation process and intends to reach a fair and equitable agreement.  Additional information is available at: http://www.cliffsnaturalresources.com and at www.local4974.org.