United Steelworkers rally held in Negaunee amid ongoing contract negotiations with Cleveland Cliffs
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NEGAUNEE -- On Thursday, United Steelworkers held a rally at Miner's Park in Negaunee as a show of support amid ongoing contract negotiations with Cleveland Cliffs.
"We've been in bargaining with Cleveland Cliffs since ... the beginning of August," said USW District 1 Staff Representative Brian Fisher in an interview with the Mining Journal. "We're going on three months of bargaining towards a contract.
"Our last contract was a four-year contract, so that expired. We're on a rolling extension right now to that last contract. It's been somewhat difficult bargaining. We've been making a lot of progress towards a new contract, but we still have some important issues on the table.
"Wages are on the table, our healthcare is on the table. Profit sharing is on the table. Being in the bargaining as long as we have, we feel that it's time to show Cleveland Cliffs that we have the support of the community, of the politicians in the area, of our members, our retirees. We're looking for a fair contract that rewards our members for their hard work out at the mine."
The event featured USW members and supporters standing on U.S. 41 holding out signs reading "Fair Contract Now," and speeches from USW representatives and local politicians.
"Mining has been here for 179 years," said Marquette County Commissioner Joe Derocha. "And the large success of Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company is based on all of the individuals that are sitting out here in the crowd. The ability for collective bargaining for all of the workforce, it's what makes this community, and Marquette County, a great place to live."
Sara Cambensy, former State Representative and current candidate for State Senate, also spoke at the rally.
"We have a saying that without us there's no you," said Cambensy. "…You're the lifeblood of these mines. If we don't have you showing up to do the work and carry that forward, there is no Cleveland Cliffs. So stay strong ... As you bargain, I know you're gonna keep your retirees at the top of your mind. I know you're gonna keep your families at the top of your mind. Stay strong, because you deserve it. You're worth it.
"Know that the entire community has your back, because you always had ours."
"A lot of people are saying that our contracts are negotiated by a few people," said Daniel Roukolainen, president of the local 4950. "That's true, but the power is within all of you that are here and the people that are at work right now. We couldn't do anything if we didn't have the support from everybody at the mine, the retirees, the community, the other labor unions.
"We can't do anything by ourselves, but together there's not a damn thing we can't do. And with the turnout here today ... I think this is gonna show the company that we're all standing together. We're ready for a fair contract, one that we deserve, and then after that we can go back to the business of making pellets, and making this country go around."
"The reason we do this is for all of you," said Fisher, closing out the ceremony. "We all understand, us, our parents, our grandparents, our great grandparents, our great, great grandparents have worked at the mine. We're the ones that make the pellets.
"And when we're out there, we're speaking with one voice ... It’s so important that you all came up today because when we all speak with one voice, we've got a lot of power.
"…We're going back to Pittsburg next week, and we're hoping we can bring back a good, solid contract, where we take care of our retirees, where we take care of our actives, because it's our blood, sweat and tears that makes those pellets out there, and when we speak with one voice, it's strong."
"…We all know that the price of everything's been going up: gas, food ...We deserve good, solid wages, because it's our bodies that are on the line out there. Our health care -- that's just as important ... We hope that we're gonna be able to bring back a good contract that you're all gonna be proud of."
Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.