[ferro-alloys.com]The United Steelworkers union is awaiting a response from Universal Stainless this week to their revised contract proposal aimed at resolving a labor dispute at the US specialty and alloy steelmaker's Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, plant, according to a USW official.

James Watt, a USW staff representative participating in negotiations with Universal, told S&P Global Platts in an interview that the two sides have made progress in bargaining over the past couple of weeks.

"I think we'll get an agreement" relatively soon, he said.

The existing contract at Bridgeville expired August 31 and is being mutually extended day to day while talks continue.

The extension is subject to a 72-hour termination notice by either side, both the company and union have said.

Watt said negotiators have whittled the number of unresolved issues to just a few, including wages, health care and vacations.

He declined to reveal any changes the union may have made in its updated proposal but said the USW expects Universal will "counter" the offer later this week.

Some 236 hourly workers at Bridgeville are represented by the USW.

The Universal Stainless talks have mirrored ongoing negotiations between the union and US Steel and ArcelorMittal.

Universal Stainless officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

• [Editor:王可]