WEIRTON — Presidents of USW locals throughout ArcelorMittal USA returned to their plants Wednesday to brief workers about negotiations and begin preparations for a strike if it becomes necessary.

Mark Glyptis, president of USW Local 2911 at ArcelorMittal Weirton, said he started briefing members in the plant Wednesday evening and planned to continue to do so through the remainder of the week and into the weekend.

Glyptis said schedules were being worked out for pickets if they become needed.

“We have to start preparing in the event there is a strike. You do not do that on the spur of the moment,” he said.

Glyptis said workers continue working in the plant and there is no date or time set for a strike. He said local negotiations at the plant level are continuing and the union had given its latest proposal to ArcelorMittal and was awaiting its response.

Steelworkers gave a strike authorization Sept. 17 to the union from all 13 of the locals at ArcelorMittal plants.

Negotiations resumed in Pittsburgh on companywide issues, wages and benefits a week ago today. On its website for negotiations updates, the USW said the company continues to make concessionary demands that would not improve long-term profitability while having negative impact on USW members, retirees and their families.

The union said it has started discussions about an orderly idling of plants and equipment to protect them from the elements and to provide for a safe and efficient restart.

Union members were being presented picket duty surveys. The Steelworkers said informational picketing also could begin soon.

“Although we remain hopeful that management will change direction before forcing us into a labor dispute, we should ready ourselves, our families and communities,” the union stated.

The last ArcelorMittal update on its web page about negotiations was provided Sept. 18, the day after the strike authorization vote by the USW and noted negotiations were ongoing at that point.