The United Steelworkers union expects 300 to 350 Stelco workers in Hamilton and dozens more in Nanticoke to receive temporary layoff notices over the coming weeks.
Workers began receiving notices this week. Hamilton employee Jordan Williams told CBC he received a letter on Wednesday that would take effect Sunday. United Steelworkers Local 1005 president Ron Wells said an initial round was expected this week, with another to follow within two weeks. He said anger and concern about the future were the prevailing feelings among workers.
An internal Stelco memo obtained by CBC said the company planned to suspend cold-rolling and coating operations at its Hamilton plant indefinitely. Stelco says the move could affect as many as 500 employees and is needed to withstand U.S. steel tariffs. Workers would be entitled to additional compensation if temporary layoffs become permanent.
The federal government has threatened legal action. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said maintaining jobs in Canada was a condition of the 2024 approval of the U.S. company Cleveland-Cliffs’ purchase of Stelco. On Monday, she gave the company five days to submit a plan to meet its employment commitments. Radio-Canada reported that she would take action if the company failed to do so.