- The union says that negotiations are proceeding as the Sept contract expiration approaches. The union's bargaining committee is prepared to continue to meet with the company through the weekend if needed. Notes that unresolved issues include concerns about economic, employment and retirement security.
- The union represents 14,000 US members.
- (Reminder from 8/26) MTP.FR: The United Steelworkers are threatening a strike against ArcelorMittal; The labor union could seek to stirke if the two sides can't agree on terms by Saturday; The union's current contract expires on Sept 1; The United Steelworkers were hoping that an agreement with ArcelorMital will be in line with its agreement with US Steel but management at ArclelorMittal appears to have concluded that the US Steel contract was too generous - WSJ

Other headlines for [MTP.FR]

• MTP.FR Today 03:44am
  Arecelor Mittal CEO: May increase steel output in 2009 as demand may rebound on diminishing inventories - Adds that further production cuts are unlikely - Steel inventories are 'very low'
  
• 5401.JP 12/3/2008 10:32pm
  Nippon Steel Will hold off on increasing capacity in US venture with Arcelor- To postpone a planned production capacity increase at its plant in the U.S. state of Indiana due to falling demand for steel sheet more...
  
• MTP.FR 11/27/2008 06:52am
  Arecelor Mittal Confirms press speculation of possible job cuts; could reduce workforce by up to 9K positions (3% of total)-Cites 'global economic reality' - Note earlier today it was reported that frim would cut more...
  
• MTP.FR 11/23/2008 07:55pm
  Arecelor Mittal May layoff as many as 2.4K workers at its Burns Harbor plant in the US(<1% of total workforce) - Times of Northwest Indiana- The cuts may come in Jan. - Back on 11/5, the company noted that it more...
  
• 11/20/2008 02:44am
  (RO) Romania signs €4B nuclear contract with several companies- RWE AG said it has initialed an investment agreement to form a project company for the construction of two nuclear reactors in more...
  

Materials sector headlines

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• DD Today 07:47am
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• SLT Today 07:36am
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• ABX Today 07:26am
  Barrick Gold Corp Shares of ABX, GG cut to hold from buy at a boutique firm; GRS raised to hold from sell- CM raised to buy from hold
  
• EQN.CA Today 07:17am
  Equinox Minerals Ltd Provides production update, produces first copper at Lumwana site- Initial production at 66 tonnes