Tuesday's contract talks wrapped up shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday
ESCANABA -- While no contract is in place, reps with the United Steelworkers Union say they're moving in a positive direction.
Tuesday's contract talks wrapped up shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday between New Page officials and the members of the local United Steelworkers Union. Negotiations have been taking place for almost two years now.
Tuesday afternoon, union members and supporters gathered for an informational picket in front of the Best Western in Escanaba where the talks took place.
The union represents over 820 workers at the mill. Back in February, the union rejected a contract offer, and Tuesday was their first time back to the negotiating table since then.
Union representatives say the biggest sticking points are the possibility of future job cuts and unsafe working conditions, and they're ready to get a contract in place.
"I'm just hoping to get a fair contract, just like everyone out here today, and like I said, it's just an informational picket to make them aware that we do care a lot about our safety and our jobs," explained union member, Ross Strand.
Both sides plan to return to the negotiating table on Friday morning and expect to exchange the union's contract proposal with company officials.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC