Sparrows Point Steelworkers Weigh Vote on Tentative Contract

In mid-March, the United Steelworkers negotiating committee unanimously approved a tentative agreement with RG Steel, covering roughly 6,000 USW-represented workers at mills at Sparrows Point, Wheeling, WV and Warren, OH.

Now, local steelworkers are getting ready to vote on that contract.

Last week, union rank and file members received a summary of the tentative contract and ballot in the mail. Thursday, at the union hall on Dundalk Avenue, United Steelworkers Local 9477 members met with David McCall, chief negotiator for the United Steelworkers, to learn more about the contract and ask questions about the tentative deal.

In an informal survey afterwards outside the hall, local steelworkers expressed mixed feelings about the contract. While many said they hadn’t yet decided which way they planned to vote, more indicated they were likely to vote for the deal than against it.

“I’d be surprised if they didn’t pass it,” said John Cirri, president of United Steelworkers Local 9477.

Some union members voiced concerns about incentive pay, potential 12-hour shifts, the use of outside contractors, the lack of a signing bonus and RG Steel’s long-term commitment. Others said they’re happy to be getting back to work with a $1 an hour raise and an improved benefit package.

Roger Ramsey, 45, who has worked at Sparrows Point for 16 years, expressed concern about RG Steel’s business plan and future investment at Sparrows Point. But he said he’d decided to vote for the tentative agreement after the meeting.

“I’d have taken a signing bonus, but we never had a contract with Severstal and they [RG Steel] were never obligated to pay that,” Ramsey said. “Instead, I’d rather see them take that money and make an investment in the plant.”

Ramsay’s other chief concern was regarding raw materials for the mill at Sparrows Point. The mill has struggled in recent years to put long-term contracts in place for the acquisition of raw materials, hurting chances for profitability at the facility.

“I think that’s the key to long-term success,” Ramsay said.

Approval of the tentative deal doesn’t lie with just the Sparrows Point union members, but Wheeling and Warren members, too, which together make up the majority of the union. The Wheeling mill is not up and running, yet, possibly giving those members less reason to support the tentative agreement.

If the tentative agreement fails to pass—ballots must be postmarked by May 5— work will continue to go forward at Sparrows Point while efforts to renegotiate a new deal would begin.

Rick Wolf, who has worked at Sparrows Point for 44 years, said he would vote against the tentative agreement. He said he believed the tentative agreement didn’t go far enough in limiting—or stopping—the use of outside contractors through joint ventures at the mill.

“They [RG Steel] want to eliminate jobs and contract out everything,” Wolf said. “I’m ready to retire soon, but they’re not doing anything to bring younger people in. We have a responsibility to look out for them down the road. It’s the same thing all across America—they’re outsourcing all the jobs.”

Cirri said about 200 steelworkers had turned out for each of the 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. meetings, with a third meeting scheduled for Friday night. The mood in the hall was patient and respectful overall, he said.

McCall, who had led similar meeting previously in Warren and Wheeling, said raw materials are already on the way to Sparrows Point, adding that restart of the “L” blast furnace remains on schedule for May 9.

“People have been asking a lot of questions, but everybody’s also got a sense of relief about coming back to work and starting to make steel again,” McCall said.

McCall acknowledged the concerns about 12-hour shifts and outside contractors. He said there are limits on the number of 12-shifts in the contract. He also said that language protecting union jobs from outside contractors has actually been strengthened in the tentative deal.

Josh Polanowski, 29, whose uncle, Dave Polanowski, serves as the Local 9477’s grievance committeeman, said he’s already voted for the tentative agreement and his ballot was back in the mail.

“I like the benefit package,” Polanowski said, adding that many people he knows are struggling in the current economy. “You can’t get everything you want, but I don’t think you could ask for more given how things are. I’ve got a wife and a stepson, and getting back to work and the benefits are important to me.”

In the end, McCall said, the decision to accept the tentative contract is the hands of the membership.

“When they have all the information, they’ll make the right decision,” McCall said. “Whatever that decision is, it’ll be the right decision. I know that.”