The United Steelworkers Union (USW) represents over 850,000 workers across the United States and Canada in a variety of industries including mining, automotive supply, glass production, healthcare, education and service work. Earlier this month, employees of North Shore Mining in Babbit and Silver Bay voted to join the union.
Union membership has been a point of discussion for North Shore Mining workers a number of times over the past several years. The long layoff that ended last April, in part, motivated employees to vote to become part of USW.
The desire to have a voice in health and safety issues as they relate to the work environment and to have a say in retirement security played a part in the decision as well. Additionally, workers have been feeling uneasy about the plan to make the Silver Bay facility a swing plant, meaning that they could be idled again as the demand for iron ore pellets fluctuates.
United Steelworkers represents around 2000 workers in production facilities in Minnesota and Michigan. North Shore Mining was the last remaining facility in the Iron Range without a union. Representatives from Cliffs indicated they respect the rights of their North Shore workforce to seek representation and that Cliffs sees the United Steelworkers Union as “our partner in Minnesota and throughout the United States”.
