The United Steelworker's Union Local 105 planned Authorization to Strike votes on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at their union hall in Bettendorf.
On Thursday, May 1, 2014 the union held an informational picket outside of the plant. The union planned to hold another informational picket May 14.
On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, Alcoa presented a proposal to the union, according to the company's negotiation website. The National United Steelworker's Union responded, saying that their employee pensions needed to be raised more.
Local 105 members say they would like to see future employees under the same contract as the current workers.
On Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Alcoa reported confidence that a deal could be reached between both sides. However, the company was still offering future employees a defined contribution system, instead of a defined benefit program. The union would like to see their employees stay on a defined benefit program. The union refers to the defined contribution system as a two-tier pension system.
The current contract for union employees expires Thursday, May 15, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. Even if a deal is not reached by then, both sides could work out an extension to avoid a strike.