MARQUETTE COUNTY -- Cliffs Natural Resources has settled on a short-term contract extension with the United Steelworkers union, which includes Local 4950 and Local 4974.
The extension was decided on when both parties were unable to reach a new agreement. The parties have agreed that the union will not strike and the company will not lock out until 48 hours after providing written notice to the other party of their intent to be released from this no strike/no lockout commitment.
The contract extension covers around 2,400 USW-represented workers at Cliffs' Empire and Tilden mines in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and its United Taconite and Hibbing Taconite mines in Minnesota.
Cliffs Natural Resources spokesman Dale Hemmila stated that the company continues to negotiate.
"We're still in the negotiating process in Pittsburgh," said Hemmila.
Talks about a new contract began in early May.
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