Building & Construction
May 15, 2026
Union workers at Arconic authorize strike as contract nears expiration
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
Employees represented by United Steelworkers (USW) across four Arconic facilities voted on May 14 to authorize a strike if necessary.
The union and the company have been negotiating the 2026 master labor contract covering locations in Alcoa, Tenn., Davenport, Iowa., Lafayette, Ind., and Massena, NY.
The current contract expires on May 16.
In a statement provided to AMU, USW International Vice President Emil Ramirez, who chairs the USW negotiations with Arconic, said, “The local unions are united, and our members deserve a contract that recognizes the important role they have played in the company’s survival. It’s time for management to negotiate in good faith with our committee for the fair contract we have earned and deserve.”
When asked for comment, Pittsburgh-based Arconic pointed to its negotiations website, which most recently stated on May 14:
“The team is hard at work and fully committed to continuing to bargain in good faith. Arconic remains committed to protecting jobs, strengthening our business, and positioning our plants for long-term success. Our employees, their families, and the communities around our facilities have always been at the heart of the company. Arconic is balancing this commitment to our employees with the headwinds of a quickly changing industry. Customers have more options, and new competitors are entering the market.”
“Our goal remains reaching a tentative agreement before the current contract expires on May 16 at noon ET.”
