U.S. Steel hearing delayed

Court proceedings and a related protest relating to benefits for retirees of U.S. Steel Canada have been postponed.

Late last night the United Steelworkers Union released a statement saying that because of unspecified “developments” late in the day, the start of the hearing has been moved from today to Thursday at the earliest.

The union had been involved in three days of court-ordered mediation with U.S. Steel, which was to finish on Monday.

The union had been calling for supporters to rally outside the court during the hearing, which was to review a motion from the union opposing U.S. Steel Canada’s threat to suspend pension plan contributions and health benefits to retirees.

That plan was announced after the company’s U.S. parent announced it was moving highly valuable production to plants south of the border.  U.S. Steel says the decision is part of its normal process of allocating work.

The union says it is trying to stop U.S. Steel from destroying the Canadian operations and abandoning its responsibility to Canadian workers and pensioners.