USW Announces Unfair Labor Practice Strike against Sibanye Stillwater

More information, contact: Tony Montana – [email protected] or 412-562-2592

PITTSBURGH — The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that about 420 members of Local 11-0001 at Sibanye Stillwater’s Nye Mine and Columbus Metallurgical Complex will begin an unfair labor practice strike after months of negotiations and rejecting three contract proposals from the company.

Negotiations have been ongoing since mid-April 2026, and the previous contract has been extended multiple times as the parties worked to reach an agreement.

The company is seeking sweeping changes that would increase the cost of health care for employees and their families while reducing workers’ earnings through incentive programs that unfairly shift costs and risks onto the workforce.

“Sibanye Stillwater is demanding that our members and their families pay more for health care while accepting less in secured earnings,” said Cathy Drummond, USW District 11 director. “Our members have rejected these proposals three times because they understand the damage these changes would do to their livelihoods. The company needs to stop pushing concessions and bargain in good faith.”

The USW said the strike is in response to the company’s unfair labor practices and its failure to negotiate a fair agreement with workers at the Nye Mine and Columbus Metallurgical Complex.

“Union members stood up to support this company whenever management needed it, and the workers deserve to share in the company’s success.” Drummond said. “They have earned a contract that protects their families, respects their contributions and does not force them to bear the cost of the company’s decisions.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of members in tech, higher education, public sector and service occupations.