| April 2008
United Steelworkers approves Severstal acquisition of
ArcelorMittal's Sparrows Point Mill
Leo W. Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers
(USW), confirmed the union’s initial approval of Russia’s Severstal North
America Inc. (SNA) acquisition of the Sparrows Point steel mill in Baltimore,
Maryland, where the union represents 2,200 steelworkers.
“Negotiations with both the seller and the new buyer of the Sparrows
Point steel mill are completed,” Gerard said. “The Severstal deal demonstrates
the USW and its members are the critical players in the continuing consolidation
and revitalization of North America’s steel industry for those who want
access to our hemispheric market.”
John Cirri, president of USW Local 9477, representing workers at Sparrows
Point, wrote an e-mail message to the union members, saying, “The many
months of uncertainty on who will be our third new owner are finally
over. Severstal North America has agreed to purchase Sparrows Point for
$810 million. The protections and provisions provided under the USW collective
bargaining agreement with ArcelorMittal remain intact. We believe that
the date Severstal officially takes control will be in about 60 days.”
ArcelorMittal’s Sparrows Point is being sold by Joseph G. Krauss, Divestiture
Trustee, as required by a federal district court to settle a complaint
filed by the U.S. Department of Justice after the merger agreement between
Mittal Steel and Arcelor SA in 2006.
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