Letter to the editor: Good job, US Steel, USW

I am happy to see that, after extensive negotiations, U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers Union finalized another four-year labor contract. This agreement showcases how labor unions and companies can work together and meet goals. We need to change the paradigm that this region is a tough place to locate or grow a heavy manufacturing enterprise.

The reality is, signing this contract keeps thousands in our region employed with attractive wages, strengthening our local economy that is desperately trying to make a comeback. Record-setting inflation, population decline and our manufacturing job growth lagging behind other states in the region has made life tough on Western Pennsylvania families. Continued investment in our people and their facilities by manufacturing companies like U.S. Steel is as important as ever .

U.S. Steel supports nearly 11,000 union employees across its U.S. operations, and the expanded benefits included in this deal, such as cash appreciation bonuses and uncapped profit-sharing, is exactly the type of investment we need companies to make in local labor. Further, the deal includes commitments from U.S. Steel to invest an additional $1 billion in local facilities, bringing total investments in that category to $6.3 billion over nine years.

I hope this agreement sets a precedent for future negotiations between companies and unions. It’s positive to see both sides coming together to build a better manufacturing future for Western Pennsylvania when we need it most.

Great job by U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers Union!

Rod Wilt

Hermitage

The writer is executive director of Penn-Northwest Development Corp.