USW, Cleveland-Cliffs reach tentative labor agreement that includes 20% hike in base pay | Northwest Indiana Business Headlines
The United Steelworkers union and Cleveland-Cliffs reached a tentative labor agreement after months of negotiation.
The two sides tentatively agreed to a four-year deal that must be ratified by steelworkers. It would cover 12,000 USW-represented steelworkers at Cleveland-Cliffs mills and mines like Burns Harbor Works, Indiana Harbor Works—East, Indiana Harbor Works—West, Riverdale, New Carlisle, Coatesville, Steelton, Conshohocken, Cleveland Works, Warren, Columbus, Weirton and Minorca.
“Our employees are the heart and soul of Cleveland-Cliffs,” Chairman, President and CEO Lourenco Goncalves said. “The USW is a partner and an ally, and we look forward to sharing in our future success together. This agreement allows us to do just that, while keeping our cost structure highly competitive.”
The USW said it improves base wages by 20% over current levels. The contract also requires no employee health care premiums and no changes to any cost sharing. It removes the requirement for spouses to elect other employer coverage, includes coverage for disposable insulin pumps for diabetics and provides coverage for eye exams and frames or lenses every 12 months regardless of whether there’s a change in vision.
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USW had just reported significant progress on a new contract to its members Friday night.
“Our bargaining over local issues, health care benefits and capital expenditure has resulted in important progress for our members in terms of working conditions and job security,” USW said in an update to members shortly before the tentative pact was announced Saturday. “We remain engaged with Cliffs at the table over major economics. The company needs to limit its exposure to certain future costs associated with retiree benefits but recognizes that steelworkers deserve to retire with dignity.”
The current contract expires in September. Steelworkers will get a chance to vote on the new collective bargaining agreement, the details of which should be mailed to them soon.
Cleveland-Cliffs is the largest flat-rolled steel producer in North America, employing more than 7,500 workers at its mills in East Chicago and Burns Harbor. It has been a mine operator since 1847 and then bought out two of its biggest customers, ArcelorMittal USA and AK Steel, at the end of 2020. It’s now a vertically integrated steelmaker that mines raw materials, produces steel and handles downstream finishing, stamping, tooling and tubing.
It’s the largest supplier to the American automotive industry with more than 27,000 total employees in North America.
Contract talks remain underway with U.S. Steel, which offered an 11% increase in pay over four years.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Parlor Doughuts, Domino’s, Gyros Bar and Grill and Captain’s Seafood opening
Open
Parlor Doughnuts is now baking something sweet in Valparaiso, after celebrating its grand opening Saturday.
But Parlor Doughnuts Valparaiso is not your conventional doughnut shop. The Evansville-based chain specializes in craft doughnuts, specialty coffee and artisan baked goods.
Lifelong Valpo residents Marissa and Wes Barnes opened the franchise at 255 Morthland Drive in Valparaiso. It’s a prominent space on U.S. 30 that was previously home to Jordy N Jax BBQ, Petey’s Gyros and Dicky’s Dogs.
The franchise is Parlor Doughnuts’ third in Indiana and first in the northern part of the state.
It serves layered doughnuts that combine yeast and cake doughnuts. It also has vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly doughnuts, as well as Doggie Doughnuts for good puppies. The menu also includes acai bowls, avocado toast and breakfast tacos.
“We are thrilled to bring Parlor’s products, brand and mission to Northwest Indiana — a region that celebrates with delicious comfort food and coffee, and appreciates top-notch customer service,” Marissa Barnes said. “One of our key values is to create a place that facilitates conversation and community where friends and families of all ages can gather in a vintage American space that feels like the ‘Parlor,’ a conversation center of 1900s Victorian homes but with a modern twist. My husband, Wes, and I are lifelong residents of Valparaiso and are excited to bring a business to our community that values giving back, including a passion for active military, veterans and first responders.”
Joseph S. Pete
Craft doughtnuts and coffee
Parlor Doughnuts was founded in Evansville in 2019 by Darrick Hayen, his son Noah and restaurateur Josh Tudela. Hayden toured the country with his son’s band, sampling local doughnuts everywhere he went while Noah developed a passion for craft coffee.
They combined their interests to open Parlor Doughnuts, which has been growing fast across the country. It now has more than 24 locations open or in development from coast to coast.
The Valparaiso doughnut shop plans to employ around 20 people and is still hiring for a variety of jobs, including baristas and bakers.
For more information, visit www.parlordoughnuts.com or email parlordoughnutsvalpo@gmail.com.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Domino’s, America’s largest pizza chain, is headed to Munster.
The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based pizzeria, which already has an extensive footprint around the Calumet Region, signed a lease to open in the strip mall on Main Street that’s anchored by Anytime Fitness.
“This will be an excellent location for Dominos and is a win-win for both the tenant and landlord. The center is now 100% occupied with strong, well-known tenants,” said Brett McDermott of Crown Point-based commercial real estate firm Latitude Commercial, which represented the landlord.
Domino’s has recently opened many new locations in Northwest Indiana, including in Highland and Griffith.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
Gyros Bar and Grill opened in Valparaiso.
It’s a family-friendly restaurant with a 21-plus lounge at 391 W. U.S. 6.
The 5,300-square-foot restaurant serves fare like gyros, burgers, hot dogs, chili dogs and ribs in a sit-down casual dining environment. It took over a former Pepe’s that had been vacant for at least 20 years.
Gyros Bar and Grill seats about 150 diners. The menu includes chicken, fish, steak sandwiches and many Chicagoland favorites like Polish sausages and Italian beef sandwiches.
It’s located along a busy stretch of U.S. 6 that 22,000 cars pass by weekly. Given its locations, it’s expected to draw from Valparaiso, Chesterton, South Haven and Portage.
For more information, call 219-254-2351.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Captain’s Seafood is coming soon to Michigan City.
The seafood market at 5360 Franklin St. will offer shrimp, fish, crab legs and lobster tails.
Joseph S. Pete
New owners
New owners took over the NutriHub Nutrition shop on U.S. 30 in Merrillville.
Jasmine Wade and Sheva Robinson bought the health food store at 536 E 81st Ave. in Merrillville. It specializes in meal replacement protein shakes packed with vitamins.
NutriHub sells a number of products like protein shakes, protein bars, herbal teas, energy teas, thermogenic teas and aloe. The 1,900-square-foot business employs five and has seating, including comfortable couches, for people who want to enjoy their shakes there.
“It’s different things for health in general,” Wade said. “We’re registered nurses and the major health issues we’ve seen is one of the reasons we want to help everybody health-wise. We’ve seen unhealthy eating. We’ve introduced these products to our family. I don’t want my family to be part of a statistic.”
Joseph S. Pete
Focus on nutrition
The pair aims to educate the public about health, such as by posting about nutritious eating on social media.
“We’re out here to help our community,” Robinson said. “These products help people lose weight. They help with obesity. They’re low in sugar, so diabetics are able to take them. They can be used to built muscle for those struggling with gaining weight or maintaining weight. It’s got minerals, vitamins and protein. It helps with digestion, skin and hair.”
NutriHub aims to offer healthy fare that also tastes good. Shake flavors include many varieties of chocolate, fruit and candy such as Almond Joy, Peppermint Patty and Rootbeer Barrel.
“If you have a sweet tooth, we have cake and cookie flavors to satisfy that craving,” Wade said. “We have a shake of the month that’s lemon pound cake this month. It’s healthy but sweet and it targets that craving.”
Joseph S. Pete
‘Trying to make a difference’
People can try samples of the products on a trial basis. NutriHub also offers body scans to help clients meet their weight loss and wellness goals.
Wade and Robinson have been passing products at neighboring businesses like Athletico and Planet Fitness as outreach. They hope to eventually expand and open more franchises, including potentially in other states.
“We’d like to be able to get word out mouth going out,” Wade said. “We’re driven African-American women trying to make a difference in our community.”
NutriHub is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 219-472-8488 or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
Brass Valley Vapor Company opened a few months ago on U.S. 30 in Valparaiso.
The vape shop is located at 1354 W Morthland Drive in Valpo Valparaiso. It offers a wide selection of vaping supplies, including “disposables, mods, salts, e-liquids, batteries and chargers, pods, coils, and delta products.”
Brass Valley Vapor Company is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and 12-6 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, call 219-242-8335.
Joseph S. Pete
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Nothing Bundt Cakes, Basecamp Fitness, Northwest Health doctor’s office opening; Fresh to Order closed
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