Many Stelco employees in Hamilton are looking at an uncertain future after the company revealed on Monday that it will be temporarily shutting down its cold-rolled and coated operations at the Hamilton Works plant.
Ron Wells, the president of United Steelworkers Local 1005, mentioned that the process is set to start on Oct. 9, with around 350 workers from the Hamilton facility expected to face layoffs.
He added that total layoffs could reach up to 500 across both the Hamilton and Lake Erie Works plant in Nanticoke, Ont. Stelco has indicated that as many as 500 employees might be impacted.
“I hate saying ‘we’re disappointed’ – we’re disgusted,” Wells told CBC Hamilton on Tuesday morning.
The uncertainty is already affecting families linked to the plant.
Jillian Watt’s husband works on the line and has been with Stelco in Hamilton for over two decades. She shared that he hasn’t yet received any word about whether he’ll be laid off.
“They haven’t talked to individuals, so it’s still kind of up in the air,” she said Tuesday morning. Watt, who represents unionized health workers locally for a Canadian Union of Public Employees chapter, spoke with CBC from outside National Steel Car, located just down the road from Stelco.
Workers at National Steel Car have been striking for 48 days and have frequently been joined by other union members on their picket line.
Watt is especially worried about whether her husband’s experience will count if layoffs depend on seniority. She expressed how stressful it is to think about possibly losing their main source of income.
“He’s our family’s breadwinner. We’ve got four kids, you know, trying to get by,” she said. “It felt like a punch to the gut for both of us.”
Jillian Watt expresses her anxiety about her husband’s job situation following news of impending layoffs affecting around 350 workers at Stelco. As of Tuesday, no official notice had been provided. (Claude Beaudoin/CBC)
Watt noted that her husband had already been anxious regarding conditions at the plant recently as operations slowed down and orders decreased. Now they’re left waiting for what comes next. “It’s very stressful,” she shared.
Union Raises Concerns Over Job Stability
Wells stated that during a meeting with company officials Monday morning, they informed him about the impending layoffs.
He shared that he’s been speaking with workers who are anxious about how long these layoffs could persist since there’s no timeline given by management.
“They’re asking how long this will go on? Should we start searching for new jobs?” Wells explained. “People are worried.”
Ron Wells, president of USW Local 1005, expressed his feelings of “disgust” regarding plans to lay off roughly 350 workers. (Meagan Fitzpatrick/CBC)
The company mentioned some affected employees might be able to find positions at Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke.
However, Wells pointed out that they were informed there are only approximately 40 to 45 job openings available there – which he believes falls far short of what’s needed given potential layoffs in Hamilton.
Wells also raised doubts about commitments made by Cleveland-Cliffs when they acquired Stelco back in 2024.
The agreement supposedly included a promise to keep unionized jobs stable for five years; he wants federal authorities to ensure this commitment is upheld.
“You have people making these choices in Cleveland who don’t have connections here,” Wells remarked. “If 350 people from Hamilton lose their jobs, they won’t care.”
Cleveland-Cliffs’ senior director of corporate communications Pat Persico told via email that even though some operations at Stelco’s Hamilton location are being idled temporarily, overall steel production won’t be affected as it shifts focus towards Lake Erie Works.
“Importantly, job opportunities will be extended to employees from Hamilton at Lake Erie Works,” Persico wrote in an email.
“We expect many affected staff members should transition smoothly into roles there.”
‘Betrayal’ Felt by Workers: PM Responds
Diving into discussions surrounding Stelco during a news conference held in Vancouver on Tuesday was Prime Minister Mark Carney who voiced concern over “the workers and their families who feel betrayed by this company.” p>
A reporter queried if Ottawa would consider legal action since it seemed Cleveland-Cliffs might not uphold its employment promises; Carney didn’t provide direct answers but asserted:“Cleveland-Cliffs has legal obligations concerning employment,” adding further comment regarding intentions behind enforcing those obligations fully under law.” p>WATCH | Carney comments on betrayal faced by workers:<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1790771625_719_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/
Stelco ‘betrayed’ Ontario workers with layoffs says Carney p >Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized Canada’s willingness “to use every power possible” ensuring compliance regarding legal duties tied into worker employment status linked back toward any local entities within management overseeing changes announced earlier this week within operating standards impacting hundreds presently employed within respective plants themselves.
Carney attributed U. S.-imposed tariffs contributing toward these developments-highlighting remarks previously made whereby Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves praised such policies stating “they were excellent moves” meant benefiting them directly onward through enhanced profits generated moving forward until now finally arriving onto existing circumstances reflected upon current challenges arising all due course.
