Stelco’s parent company, Cleveland-Cliffs, claims that a “significant” number of the approximately 350 steelworkers from Hamilton who are facing layoffs on Oct. 9 could transition to the company’s Nanticoke mill, as Stelco focuses its steel production in Haldimand County.
However, the union leader at Nanticoke is skeptical about this plan.
John Mc Elroy, president of United Steelworkers Local 8782, pointed out that there are only 20 open positions available in steel production at Stelco’s Lake Erie Works.
He anticipates fierce competition for these jobs since along with closing Hamilton’s cold mill and coating departments, Stelco has also decided to shut down two of the three pickle lines at Nanticoke and cut operating hours for the remaining line by half.
The union expects between 60 and 80 job losses in Nanticoke alone, which could bring the total job losses close to 450 across both mills.
Cleveland-Cliffs spokesperson Pat Persico told The Canadian Press that they expect a “significant” number of employees from Hamilton to find roles in Nanticoke, stating that “job opportunities at Lake Erie Works will be offered to Hamilton employees.”
“There’s only room for 20 full-time people (in Nanticoke),” an exasperated Mc Elroy told The Spectator. “Twenty out of 450 is not significant to me.”
Persico did not reply to an email from The asking how many workers would actually be moved from Hamilton to Nanticoke.
A meeting with Stelco on Wednesday – just two days after the announcement regarding cuts – did not provide any clarity, according to Mc Elroy’s comments shared with The Spectator.
He mentioned that the Nanticoke mill has been experiencing a hiring freeze “on and off” since last year and that positions left vacant by retiring or departing workers have not been filled.
Work on the pickle line – where freshly crushed and cooled steel undergoes an acid bath to eliminate rust and other impurities – had decreased recently, leading some workers being reassigned as general laborers within the main plant.
“You could see the writing on the wall,” Mc Elroy said.
Nonetheless, he remarked that Monday’s (Sept. 28) announcement caught workers off guard.
“I think they didn’t think this was coming,” he noted.
The union leader recalled how a visit from Prime Minister Mark Carney to Hamilton in July 2025 gave workers hope that the federal government would bolster tariffs on imported steel and promote Canadian-made steel for domestic projects.
“And here we are 14 months later having massive layoffs,” Mc Elroy stated. “They’re still dumping way too much steel into this country. Let’s use domestic.”
With around 1,250 to 1,300 unionized employees currently working at Stelco’s Nanticoke mill – which opened its doors in 1980 – it far surpasses its Hamilton operation where only about 600 steelworkers are employed.
Cleveland-Cliffs mentioned that even after these layoffs take effect, Stelco’s overall steel production tonnage would remain steady but focus more heavily on hot-rolled products produced in Nanticoke.
“We’re super busy at the main plant” where steel coils are manufactured, Mc Elroy shared.
The affected employees in Nanticoke have been informed they will be out of work starting Oct. 24.
Stelco described shutting down operations in Hamilton as “unfortunate but necessary,” arguing it was essential for survival due to U. S. tariffs affecting both foreign and domestic markets for cold-rolled and galvanized steel products.
Haldimand-Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis expressed concern over reported layoffs at Lake Erie Works and extended her thoughts toward impacted workers and their families.
“I will be seeking clarity from Stelco on the number of local jobs affected, the future of the pickling line, and what support will be available to workers,” Lewis told The Spectator.
“The federal government must work urgently to defend Canadian steel jobs and address trade conditions putting them at risk.”
Haldimand-Norfolk Independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady emphasized that it’s now up to Ontario Premier Doug Ford to fulfill his promise as “Captain Canada” by helping workers in “one of Ontario’s most important industrial sectors.” p>“This is a test. If you’re goingto saythe premieris magnificentwith cross-border relationshipsand protecting Ontario workers , thenplease showus theresults onthis,” Brady stated , noting Ford calledanearly election“to save usfrom tariffs.” p >“So what ishe doing ? The premierhas toputhis wordsinto action. ” p >Haldimand Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley has consistently highlightedthe significanceof Stelco asthelargest private employerin therural municipality. p >“Whileany job lossis difficultand I feelfor thosewhoare impacted , Iremain very supportiveof thesteel industryandthe vital roleit playsin Haldimand County , ” Bentley told The Spectator. p >“Steelmakinghas along standingimportant historyin our community , and Iwillcontinue tosupporta strongfuturefor thesteel industryin Nanticok eandthegoodjobsandeconomicopportunitiesit provides. ” p >Mc Elroy , afourth-generation Stelcoworker , mentionedthat laid-offsteelworkers havelittle chanceof findingsimilar employmentwithin Haldimand. p >“It’ sasmallcommunitywith sofewgood-payingjobs , ” hesaid. p >“Theseare jobspaying $40 an hour,$100000 ayear. Withtheinterestratesbeingso high, Ihavepeoplecallingme(and saying), ‘Ijustsignedamortgagefor $700000. Icanbarelymakeitnow. Whatif I’mlaid off?’ ” pa >With manydetailsaboutthe layoffsstillunknown, M c E l royanda sfellowsteelworkersareliving insuspense. pa >
“This isthefirstshoe, but I’mhopingtheothershoedoesn’t drop” intheformof Cleveland-Cliff sclosingupits Canadianoperations altogether, hestated. P >
‘ Ifanythingwere tohappento Stel co, itwouldbedetrimentalto entirecommunity.’
J. P. Antonacci isa Local Journalism Initiative Reporterbasedatthe . Theinitiativeisfundedbythe Governmentof Canada.’
Source link
