Cleveland-Cliffs contract talks: What the latest bargaining progress means for Mansfield Local 169 workers

Local 169 members at Cleveland-Cliffs Mansfield Works remain on the job under a 30-day extension after the contracts in this bargaining cycle expired Sept. 1, 2026.

The United Steelworkers’ Sept. 12 bargaining update reported movement on retiree health care, safety, training and contract language, but no completed successor agreement. Active-worker health costs, wages, pensions and incentive plans remain unresolved.

United Steelworkers International Vice President at Large Roxanne Brown said the extension keeps current working conditions in place as talks continue. “While negotiations continue, workers will remain on the job, producing high-quality products under the terms and conditions of the current agreements.”

Mansfield at the table

Mansfield Works produces semi-finished hot bands and high-chrome ferritic and martensitic stainless steels across approximately 1.6 million square feet of manufacturing space, according to a company fact sheet.

USW’s Cleveland-Cliffs contract-negotiations guide says every Cleveland-Cliffs local sends representatives to master negotiations, giving Local 169 representation in bargaining over companywide terms. Those talks cover wages, benefits, job security, health and safety, capital investments and other issues.

Bargaining committees also negotiate separate local agreements with local management over plant-related and unit-specific issues. A master settlement, therefore, would not end Local 169’s role in local bargaining.

Retiree care and safety

USW said Cleveland-Cliffs agreed to maintain group health-care coverage for current and future retirees, which the union called important progress.

The union also reported tentative agreements on safety, training and contract language. “As shared in earlier updates, we have reached tentative agreements on safety, training, and contract language, including new protections against the unfair use of drug and alcohol testing and stronger language on the company’s training obligations,” the bargaining committee said.

USW said other contract-language changes are intended to make the agreement more enforceable.

Major costs remain open

The bargaining committee cautioned that the movement has not closed the largest gaps. “While we have made significant progress on several important issues, substantial differences remain.”

USW said Cleveland-Cliffs backed away from forcing all workers into a high-deductible health plan. Proposals for active workers and pre-Medicare retirees, however, remain under discussion, and the union says the company is still seeking major health-care concessions.

According to USW, proposals still at issue would require significant monthly premiums, raise deductibles and change the current 90/10 plan to an 80/20 plan. The possible elimination of incentive plans also remains at issue.

Pay and pensions have yet to move. In its Aug. 28 bargaining update, the bargaining committee said, “After five long weeks of bargaining, Cliffs still has not proposed any wage increases yet.” The Sept. 12 update said the company still had not proposed wage increases or responded to the union’s proposal to improve pensions.

Next talks, then a vote

Negotiations paused Sept. 13 and are scheduled to resume Sept. 17.

Brown said, “The USW remains committed to reaching strong agreements that recognize the contributions of union members and protect the future of good, family-supporting steel jobs.”

If negotiators reach a tentative agreement, Local 169 members would receive a summary and hear from local leadership before voting. Every member in good standing has an equal ratification vote, so no proposed master agreement would set final terms for Local 169 until members have their say.