Steelworkers Union Wins Right to Bid Arbitration: Esmark Report Is False

PITTSBURGH, June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday, the United
Steelworkers (USW) and Esmark agreed to make no public comments regarding
arbitrator Richard I. Block's decision that upheld the USW's contractual
"right to bid" against Esmark's willful violation of the parties' collective
bargaining agreement.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080131/DC12982LOGO )
Today, at 4 p.m., with no notice to the USW, Esmark, in keeping with its
practice of violating agreements that it makes with the union, released a
completely inaccurate account of the company's defeat at the hands of an
impartial arbitrator.
The arbitrator made clear, in no uncertain terms, that the company
violated its USW contract when Esmark entered into its Memorandum of Agreement
with Essar Steel Holdings, Ltd.
Block ordered the Memorandum rescinded and made clear that it is of no
force or effect. In his award, Block questioned, "Is it fair to ask whether
the April 30 memorandum put Essar into a 'leg up' position? The answer is it
did."
Finally, in his formal award, the arbitrator stated clearly and
unambiguously, "The grievance is granted. As remedy, the April 30 memorandum
is to be set aside."
The USW looks forward to continuing to stop Esmark from violating its
Agreement with the union and is confident that when OAO Severstal, Inc. owns
the company, it will repudiate this disgraceful conduct and all of those
associated with it.
SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Tony Montana of United Steelworkers (USW), +1-412-562-2592