USW Welcomes PM Carney's Pledge to Hold Cleveland-Cliffs Accountable Amid Stelco Layoffs
The United Steelworkers union has welcomed Prime Minister Mark Carney's commitment to hold Cleveland-Cliffs accountable for its legal obligations to Canadian workers after the company announced the indefinite idling of Stelco operations, resulting in approximately 390 layoffs across Hamilton and Nanticoke, Ontario.
The United Steelworkers union (USW) has welcomed Prime Minister Mark Carney's commitment to hold Cleveland-Cliffs accountable for its legal obligations regarding Canadian workers. The statement follows Cleveland-Cliffs' announcement of the indefinite idling of Stelco’s cold-rolled and coated operations in Hamilton, a move expected to result in approximately 350 layoffs among USW members. An additional 40 layoffs are expected at Stelco’s Lake Erie operations in Nanticoke, Ontario.
In response to the idling and job losses, the USW wrote to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly seeking an emergency meeting. The union is requesting an immediate compliance review of commitments made by Cleveland-Cliffs under the Investment Canada Act. USW Local 1005 in Hamilton and Local 8782 at Stelco’s Lake Erie Works are calling for urgent action to protect workers and production.
The union criticized Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves for citing U.S. trade war tariffs to justify the layoffs. According to the USW, Goncalves publicly stated that he pushed the Trump administration to impose higher tariffs on Canada and helped influence the increase to 50%.
Beyond enforcing binding commitments under the Investment Canada Act, the USW is calling for broader government intervention. The union's demands include providing emergency worker supports, tightening steel tariff-rate quotas, and closing import loopholes.