Labor agreement timelines converge in US aluminum

A number of collective bargaining agreements across different aluminum producers either expire this year, have recently expired, or are entering bargaining cycles. As those timelines converge, 2026 may be a year when labor negotiations play a larger role in operational planning at a time when trade issues and high prices also are playing a big factor.

It’s worthwhile to outline how collective bargaining agreements generally function before and after expiration, then review company-specific situations based on publicly available statements from companies and unions.

Nicholas Bell

Nicholas brings over half a decade of experience covering metals markets, pricing trends, and supply chain dynamics. Prior to joining AMU, he reported on aluminum, high-temperature scrap, and ferro-alloy markets at Argus Media, with additional coverage of minor metals and rare earths. His work has built deep expertise in North American metals pricing and trade flows. A native of Houston, Nicholas holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Production and an MBA with a concentration in Finance, both from the University of Houston.