Cliffs takes break from contract talks, Minn. taconite plants remain open

Cliffs Natural Resources, an owner of two taconite mines in northern Minnesota, is putting employee contract talks on hold so negotiating teams can go home and spend time with family this holiday weekend, WDIO-TV reports. Friday, Cliffs agreed to a short-term extension of current contracts.

U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal continue negotiations in Pittsburgh, the Duluth TV station says.

The United Steelworkers union decided not to strike even if an agreement was not reached by Friday’s midnight deadline to avoid plant shutdowns.