× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

The United Steelworkers union said U.S. Steel has pulled back on its "worst proposals" to gut benefits that had steelworkers on the cusp of the first major strike in years.

"Members of our USW-USS bargaining committee held a series of discussions during the past week with company officials, during which the company showed significant progress on some of its worst proposals," the union said in an update to members. "While we still have a lot of work to do and still have a number of differences to work out with management, it’s clear that the strength and solidarity you have demonstrated over the past several months at all of our locations seems to have finally gotten through to the company."

U.S. Steel said it recently offered workers a 19 percent cumulative pay increase over the course of a 6-year contract, or about five percent more than the previous proposal. The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker said it offered $6,000 in cash bonuses on 401(k) contributions of up to $0.40 per hour worked by 2023, but last publicly announced the details of a proposal on Sept. 18.