The union had filed grievances claiming U.S. Steel violated the contract by not providing sufficient proof that Nippon Steel would uphold the contract USW negotiated with U.
S. Steel. But a Board of Arbitration jointly selected by U.
S. Steel and the union found that U.S.
Steel has met all successorship clause conditions under the basic labor agreement and that no further action was required before closing the deal. The finding was announced Wednesday by U.S.
Steel. The USW remains confident, however, that the federal government will block the deal on national security grounds, as the president and both major party presidential candidates have said they want U.S.
Steel to remain American-owned. “We commend the Board of Arbitration for its thorough review of the USW’s allegations and are pleased with its decision that U.S.
Steel and Nippon Steel have fully complied with the BLA," U.S. Steel Vice President and Chief Labor Relations Officer Karl Kocsis said.
"U.S. Steel always has and always will continue to have the utmost regard for our union-represented employees and the role of the USW.
" The two sides argued their cases at a hearing in Philadelphia in August. The arbitration board found that Nippon Steel recognized the USW as the bargaining representative of employees, assumed all labor contracts and provided reasonable assurances it will honor the contracts and has the financial wherewithal to do so. The board found Nippon Steel's written assurances, including that it wil.
