OREANDA-NEWS. Global steelmaker ArcelorMittal said yesterday it "remains committed" to negotiations with the United Steelworkers (USW) after the union accused company representatives of allegedly breaking off negotiations.

ArcelorMittal said it "looks forward to returning" to the bargaining table with the USW soon so that a new labor contract for the steelmakers' US operations can be reached.

The union on 12 September said ArcelorMittal negotiators "walked away" from negotiations after the union last week delivered what it called a comprehensive proposal to management that would maintain benefits while generating savings for the company in expenses and liabilities.

ArcelorMittal is demanding "major economic and non-economic concessions" on issues such as vacation pay, incentive pay and accident benefits, the union said.

ArcelorMittal said it will continue to stress the importance of "achieving labor-cost parity with our key competitors both in and outside of the steel industry."

Negotiations between USW and steel producers ArcelorMittal and US Steel have been ongoing since contracts expired on 1 September. The steelmakers are hard-pressed by low global prices and an influx of low-priced imports, some of it allegedly unfairly traded.

Meanwhile, negotiations between the union and iron ore and coal producer Cliffs Natural Resources began on 10 September in Pittsburgh. In an initial meeting, the USW negotiators said they emphasized not allowing Cliffs to "use a temporary downturn in the iron ore market as an excuse to erase decades of progress in our contracts."