Steelworkers union responds

Closer to home, steelworkers local 1005 met this afternoon to talk about U.S. Steel Canada’s move to put its Canadian operations under creditor protection.

Local 1005 has met every Thursday for the last 12 years. This time around, they had a lot to talk about. Two days ago, U.S. Steel Canada filed for creditor protection citing losses of billions of dollars over the last five years.

But the President of local 1005, Rolf Gerstenberger isn’t buying that what so ever. He called this straight up ‘a scam’. He said this was a conspiracy to conduct fraud. He also said, not only does that affect the 2,000 workers — 850 of which are in Hamilton — it also affects the 9,000 pensioners and the city of Hamilton as well.

Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina: “Other companies in other portions of U.S. Steel within their North American operation are operating, are making money. So why is Hamilton being a sacrificial lamb.”

Paul Miller, NDP MPP for Stoney Creek: “I can understand why the steelworkers of Hamilton are upset. This is an attack on workers, it’s a way to get rid of their commitment to them and to separate the corporation in Canada, to isolate Lake Erie. It’s a jewel in their crown, they want to keep it, but it was tied in when they made it U.S. Steel Canada.”

Rolf Gerstenberger, President of local 1005: “Not only will the scam result in hardship for thousands of pensioners, but for the citizens of Hamilton and Ontario as a whole. Because U.S. Steel would leave the city and province with cleanup costs related to Randle Reef and the land.”

Mayor Bob Bratina talked about being a sacrificial lamb because there is a belief among union members that this restructuring plan would allow them to keep the Nanticoke Lake Erie Works because industry analysts consider it a more modern facility, and in the end let go of the Hamilton works. This creditor protection has not yet been granted to U.S. Steel Canada at this point. This is going to be a long journey for not only the company, but for the people of Hamilton.

In Hamilton this afternoon, Prime Minister Harper was asked about the U.S. Steel situation. This is what he had to say: “Obviously we’re concerned about the families and the community. At the same time I’m told that the company creditor process is underway. The company will be continuing most of its normal business operations, but obviously it’s something we’re looking at with great attention and concern.”