USW Response to Sale of Sparrows Point Mill by ArcelorMittal

USW Response to Sale of Sparrows Point Mill by ArcelorMittal

Purchase by Joint Venture of Esmark, Wheeling-Pittsburgh Affirmed

News From USW: Leo W. Gerard, International president of the United Steelworkers (USW) affirmed today’s announcement on the sale of the steel mill in Baltimore of the Sparrows Point Plant of ArcelorMittal USA to Esmark.

“We have been closely monitoring ArcelorMittal’s bid solicitations for the sale of Sparrows Point due to Justice Department’s orders. We are looking forward to our growing relationship with Esmark and their commitment to invest in the acquisition. We have full confidence that the Esmark venture will grow steelworker jobs in Baltimore and fulfill the commitments to the retirees.”

David McCall, USW chair of the ArcelorMittal bargaining committee, said negotiations with both the seller and the new buyer will be initiated and resolved in the very near future. “We should be able to reach an agreement that meets all of the commitments required by our successorship clause to our active and retired steelworkers at Sparrows Point.”

John Cirri, USW Local 9477 president, representing about 2,500 active union members employed at Sparrows Point, said: “This sale of our plant was at first upsetting and it’s the fourth owner since 2001, but it may turn out to be a blessing.

“We have a great work force, many upgrades and we produce world class steel.” Cirri says that he will be given the opportunity to go over the new owners’ business plan to confirm capital investments will be there for the longterm. “We’ll schedule membership information meetings as needed,” he added.

ArcelorMittal’s Sparrows Point facility is a former Bethlehem Steel plant that is a fully integrated steelmaking facility capable of producing 3.9 million tons of raw steel annually. Products made at Sparrows Point include hot-rolled sheet, cold-rolled sheet, galvanized sheet, Galvalume, tin mill products and semi-finished steel.

Contacts

United Steelworkers
Gary Hubbard, 202-778-4384
or
202-256-8125 (c)