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(AMM) Strike deadline looms at Essar Steel Algoma

July 30, 2010 - 23:41 GMT Location: PITTSBURGH

KEYWORDS: Essar Steel Algoma , USW , United Steelworkers

Essar Steel Algoma Inc. and United Steelworkers union Local 2724 were girding for a strike late Friday, even as workers were voting on the company?s latest contract proposal.

A strike would be the first in two decades at the plant.

The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario-based company made a contract proposal to the union at midnight Thursday?48 hours before the existing contract was set to expire?and the USW local scheduled three informational meetings and voting on the proposal over the following two days.

Ian Kersley, president of USW Local 2724, which represents about 600 front-line technical and professional staff at Essar Steel Algoma, was said to be in negotiations Friday afternoon and unavailable for comment. Calls to the company seeking an update on the status of the situation were not returned.

Essar Steel Algoma, though, appeared to be taking steps to prepare for a walkout. A union source told AMM that talks were not going well and the union was preparing to "withdraw its services" upon...

All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. © Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC.

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