I think it was due more to timing of the Fast Track Issue... since the announcement came at the time USSteel officials,as well as Union officials were testifying before Congress on this issue.(passed in the Senate) The issue now moves to the House....
I agree that this is also a contract year....I look for USSteel to go after retirement insurance as well as pension...seems to be the trend in Corporations to dump all liability to retirees ... (btw,retiree insurance was the sticking point at Union negotiations 3 years ago,thanks to the UNION retirees were able to keep the insurance at that time...this is a new year...as the saying goes...stay tuned...