HAMILTON — United Steelworkers Local 1005 has confirmed that 350 employees will be laid off at the Hamilton, Ontario plant of Stelco Holdings, a leading Canadian steel manufacturer. A company spokesperson stated that finishing operations at the Hamilton Works facility are being temporarily idled to concentrate steel production at its Lake Erie Works plant. The company also clarified that efforts will be made to offer job opportunities at the Lake Erie plant to a significant portion of the affected workers.
Meanwhile, the Ontario provincial government announced that it will provide full support to assist workers losing their jobs. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, said special funding has been allocated to connect workers with training and help them find new job opportunities as quickly as possible. American steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs acquired Stelco last year in a $3.4-billion deal. This fresh crisis in the industrial sector comes after the U.S. imposed high tariffs on Canadian steel imports.
