CUPE shows solidarity with picketing Steelworkers

The national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees joined picketing steelworkers in Hamilton Tuesday to offer his support.

Over 900 U.S. Steel employees have been locked out now for almost two months. CUPE national president Paul Moist joined Ontario president Fred Hahn and Hamilton mayor Bob Bratina on the picket line. American-owned U.S. Steel Canada wants the existing benefit pension plan closed to new employees, and replaced with a defined contribution plan.

Moist told the crowd it was a great privilege for CUPE to show its solidarity. “You’re not alone in this struggle to defend pensions, to defend the indexing of pensions and to celebrate the kind of contribution you’ve made to this community. We call on U.S. Steel to return to the bargaining table and take those concessions off the bargaining table.”

Bratina said “This is a fight that all of us — in the city of Hamilton and the nation of Canada — have to fight to be successful.” He added “if U.S. Steel isn’t interested in running this facility, then we should get someone else who is.”

Moist says CUPE voted to support local 1005 at its national executive board meeting in December. He gave a $10,000 cheque to the picketers, adding there’s more to come.