Officials with United Steelworkers, District 1, Local 5000 ratified a new agreement between its members and Sisco on Monday. The new agreement, effective for the next three years provides wage increases in all three years of the deal, increased vacation allotment to five weeks for the most senior employees, as well as provides for better travel pay. In addition, a time allotment for the Unit Chair to conduct New Member Orientation was also made part of the agreement. 

Members with Sisco are the only land-based employees in USW Local 5000. Members in this unit are specialists in the service and repair of highly specialized equipment used in the steelmaking process and are based out of New Castle, Pennsylvania. 

In addition to the negotiations with Sisco, USW officials have been in negotiations with Interlake Leasing III over the course of the past several months. At this time, a tentative agreement has been reached. The terms of the tentative agreement closely match those which were ratified between USW Local 5000 and The Interlake Steamship Company last summer, including increases in wages and maintenance and cure. 

Members with Interlake Leasing III crew the 1000' foot M/V Stewart J. Cort, which is leased to the Interlake Steamship Company, and hold positions in the Deck, Engine, and Galley departments. 

USW Local 5000 recognizes the unusual challenges that the members of the negotiation committees face during the COVID-19 crisis, and wishes to commend those who have participated at the bargaining table for their efforts in moving the negotiations forward, and wishes to thank its members for their patience and understanding for what has been a long and trying process.