AP reported that union workers at former Severstal North America plants in the Ohio Valley are learning details of a proposed contract with RG Steel LLC and some are worried.

After a meeting in Mingo Junction, some members of the United Steelworkers told the Weirton Daily Times they're concerned about lack of detail on seniority rights and a provision for alternate work schedules. Although they're used to overtime pay after eight hours, the contract would allow three 12 hour days or four 10 hour days.

RG, a subsidiary of the private equity firm Renco Group, completed the purchase of several Severstal facilities last month. It now owns the former Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel facilities that Severstal had purchased in the Ohio Valley, including Wheeling Corrugating in Wheeling and the Allenport facility in Allenport.

The new contract would also cover the former WCI Steel facility in Warren and the former Bethlehem Steel facility in Sparrows Point USW members are voting on the deal by mail.

Mr Dave McCall director of USW District 1 said that the offer largely matches those that the union reached with other major steel companies in 2008, except it doesn't include a USD 6,000 signing bonus.

Mr McCall said that it would include a USD 1 per hour raise, plus an annual increase of 4% on the contract anniversary through 2014. That matches what the USW negotiated with US Steel and ArcelorMittal.

New hires would start at 20% below the current base wage and would be raised to the standard rate over two years. The contract would be retroactive to March 31st 2011 and health care benefits would remain unchanged.

(Sourced from Associated Press)