The arbitrator has ruled, and 11,000 hourly workers at Bethlehem Steel Corp., including those at its Sparrows Point mill, will be earning a bit less than they hoped for in the next three years.
Bethlehem Steel and the United Steel Workers of America entered into a "baseball-style" arbitration last month after failing to reach an agreement in talks that reopened their six-year contract to consider wage increase proposals.
The union was seeking $1.50 in hourly wage increases over three years, and two additional weeks of vacation for its members. The contract expires July 31, 1999.
But, in a binding decision, arbitrator Richard Bloch selected the company's offer: a 50-cent hourly raise effective next month, raises of 25 cents an hour in each of the next two years and guaranteed lump-sum bonuses of $500 in 1998 and 1999.
Additional, contingent bonuses totaling up to $1,000 will be awarded if Bethlehem -- the nation's second largest steelmaker -- reaches certain profit levels.
The raises are in addition to an increase of 50 cents an hour that took effect last August, and $2,000 in bonuses spread across 1993 and 1994.
Pub Date: 7/31/96
