Newly announced deal to purchase US Steel comes with concerns for USW

International President of the United Steelworkers, Dave McCall, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the announcement that US Steel has agreed to be purchased by Nippon Steel. McCall outlined his thoughts on the deal and potential issues that could prevent the deal from being finalized. Finally, McCall talked about the future and what to expect from the USW in 2024.

US Steel has been looking for a buyer for their operations and recently announced a deal to sell the company to Nippon Steel from Japan. McCall said one of the concerns involves a potential breach in the Collective Bargaining Agreement because US Steel did not notify the union of the negotiations with Nippon Steel. McCall also discussed the potential harm to national security and the American supply chain.

Reportedly, the deal with Nippon Steel was nearly double the offer from the only other competitor, Cleveland Cliffs. While this deal hasn’t been finalized, there have already been several hearings on the matte. McCall discussed how the work being done by Cleveland Cliffs would have helped with the decarbonization efforts in the United States, and a deal with Cleveland Cliffs would’ve only benefited Americans. McCall believes there will be greater scrutiny on the deal and the work done by Nippon Steel around the world, and if it’s done properly, the deal might not be finalized. 

McCall concluded by looking back at the unique experiences for USW in 2023. The sudden passing of International President Tom Conway impacted the union greatly, but the infrastructure he built has allowed McCall to keep moving forward. Looking ahead, 2024 looks good for the USW and the entire labor movement, McCall said. He outlined the organization's efforts in the South, including the 1,400 new members at Blue Bird Bus in Georgia. There are plenty of opportunities to improve the lives of more workers who are being taken advantage of by their employers, McCall said.

To hear more from the USW and McCall, please listen to the show above.