Steelworkers Make Major Gains in Strike-Ending Contract at GST Steel

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of Local Union 13 of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) overwhelmingly approved a new 66-month contract with GST Steel Thursday (June 12), ending a strike that began on April 1. The vote was 488-81.

The agreement includes wage increases, bonuses, an increase in guaranteed pay to 40 hours a week from the current 32, worker involvement, major pension improvements, an organizing neutrality clause that prevents creation of runaway non-union subsidiaries, phaseout of a two-tier wage system, and continuation of current restrictions on the contracting out of work.

"This contract meets and in some cases exceeds our industry pattern, and serves the best interests of both our members and the company," said David Foster, Director of USWA District 11 and chief negotiator for the union.

"We are especially gratified that we have achieved the neutrality clause that guarantees card check recognition at any new facilities in which the company has a 40 percent interest," Foster added. "That will prevent the kind of duplicity that LTV Steel committed against its workers in building a non-union plant in Alabama."

GST also will guarantee, under certain conditions, card-check recognition at any plants in which it holds a 15-40 percent interest.

The agreement runs until Oct. 1, 2002. There will be a limited economic reopener on June 1, 2000, with binding arbitration if no settlement is achieved.

GST is the country's largest producer of grinding media.

SOURCE United Steelworkers of America

    -0-                             06/13/97

/CONTACT: USWA Communications Department, 412-562-2442/

CO: United Steelworkers of America Local Union 13; GST Steel ST: Missouri, Pennsylvania IN: MNG SU: LBR

LB -- PHF014 -- 4948 06/13/97 12:03 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com