Universal Stainless contract talks extended

The management of Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Inc. has agreed with Local 2332-2 of the United Steelworkers (USW) to undertake a 17-day continuance of the collective bargaining agreement covering hourly production and maintenance employees at its facility in North Jackson, Ohio.

That plant in northeast Ohio melts vacuum induction melting (VIM) quality specialty steel and nickel alloy products as well as doing VAR remelting. It also operates a hydraulic radial forge that produces bars and forged blocks. Additionally, the company has a scrap-fed melt shop in its hometown of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.

“We are pleased to extend the negotiating timeframe to allow for a mutually agreeable labor agreement without disruption to the operations and to continue to serve our customers’ needs,” Universal President and CEO Christopher M. Zimmer says.

The negotiating extension is subject to a seven-day termination notice by either party, and Universal says the intent of the continuance is to provide additional time to negotiate a mutually acceptable labor agreement.

During the continuance, USW employees will work under the terms and conditions of the prior agreement, which otherwise would have expired at midnight June 30.

Universal's facilities in Bridgeville and Titusville, Pennsylvania, and Dunkirk, New York, are covered by separate collective bargaining agreements and are not directly affected by the Ohio negotiations.