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Negotiations on union contracts for mine workers on the Iron Range continue this week with U.S. Steel. and ArcelorMittal.

Mine workers, supporters rally on Iron Range

The two companies run three of the biggest taconite mines in the region, and contracts are set to expire next week.

Another significant union contract, with Cliffs Natural Resources, is set to expire a month from now.  

It's the first time in a generation that bargaining is taking place during a major industry downturn: About 1,500 workers have been laid off on the Range this year as iron ore and steel prices have crashed. The industry blames a flood of cheap imported steel.  

The mining industry still drives the economy on the Range, and a cut in steelworker wages or benefits could mean more bad news for communities there.  

For a firsthand take on the downturn, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Kyle Lamppa, who works in the Minorca Mine in Virginia, Minn.;  Dave Lislegard, who serves on the an Aurora, Minn., city council; and Suzanne Rian, who owns a women's clothing store in Hibbing, Minn.

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For the first time in a generation on the Range, union contract negotiations are happening at a time of economic downturn in the steel industry. What will it mean for the region?

Negotiations are continuing on union contracts that expire next week with U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal.  Those two companies own three of the big taconite mines on the Iron Range. And another significant union contract with Cliffs Natural Resources is set to expire just a month later.  It's the first time in a generation that bargaining is taking place during a major industry downturn.  About 1,500 workers have been laid off on the Range this year as iron ore and steel prices have crashed. The industry blames a flood of cheap imported steel.  The mining industry still drives the economy on the Range, and a cut in steelworker wages or benefits would be more bad news for communities there.  For a first-hand take on the downturn, MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Kyle Lamppa who works in Minorca Mine in Virginia, Dave Lislegard who's a City Councillor Aurora, and Suzanne Rian who's the owner of a woman's clothing store in Hibbing.

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