Ormet Aluminum Corp. said that union workers at its scrap recycling plant in Friendly, W.V., on Feb. 21 ended a three-week-old strike after both sides reached a new labor agreement.
Workers represented by United Steelworkers of America Local 576-01 had struck on Feb. 2 after rejecting a tentative labor deal reached on Jan. 31 at Bens Run Recycling Facility, which processes aluminum scrap.
"It is a new three-year pact and it allowed for some wage increases, a signing bonus, and workers agreed to some increases in their health care premiums," an Ormet spokeswoman said in a telephone interview.
The contract runs from Feb. 1, 2003, to May 31, 2006.
Ormet acquired the plant, which has an annual capacity of 175 million pounds, in July 1994 with its purchase of Consolidated Aluminum.
Bens Run processes aluminum scrap and dross, or impurities that form on molten metal, for Ormet's internal use and for third-party customers.
The plant supplies material to Ormet Aluminum Mill Products' rolling mill in Hannibal, Ohio, which uses it to make litho sheet. Bens Run also recycles used beverage cans and produces molded aluminum.
Ormet Aluminum, headquartered in Wheeling, WV, produces alumina, primary aluminum and fabricated aluminum products at nine facilities in seven states. It employs about 2,750 people. Reuters