Jun 23, 2022   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Steelworkers Deserve Better at Stelco as Contract Talks Stall

Negotiations for a new collective agreement at Stelco in Nanticoke, Ont., have stalled, says Randy Graham, President of the United Steelworkers union, Local 8782.

The union filed with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB), on June 22, 2022, requesting a conciliator. Members of the union will take part in a strike authorization vote on June 27, 2022. The current five-year collective agreement expires on June 30, 2022.

Over 1,000 USW members work at Stelco’s Nanticoke operations in production and skilled trades, producing hot-rolled coil steel.

Key issues at the bargaining table are wages, benefits and pensions.

“Other large Canadian industrial companies like Bombardier and ArcelorMittal Long Products are paying their workers 18-26% increases over five or six years. Our members see that and they know they deserve to keep pace. Instead, the company is offering to shuffle around our pay and bonuses to disguise the fact that there’s only a small overall increase,” said Graham.

Workers at ArcelorMittal Long Products are represented by the United Steelworkers union in Quebec and ratified a new collective agreement in February.

Cost of living data released just yesterday, show annual inflation has rocketed to 7.7%, higher than at any time since 1983.

“Stelco has the wallet to handsomely reward its shareholders and to buy in to the Hamilton Tiger Cats football club. You can see Stelco signage all over the stadium at games. Well, it’s time to recognize the workers that are doing the hard work that contributes to the company’s success,” said Graham.

“These steelworkers have worked hard as essential workers, throughout the pandemic, and delivered the product that brought over $2 billion in sales for Stelco in the last year,” said Myles Sullivan, USW Ontario Director.

“Now it’s time for Stelco management to show some appreciation for its workers, who have shown such dedication and commitment. We are bargaining in better times, and these stellar Stelco workers deserve better,” added Sullivan.

Talks for a new agreement between the union and Stelco began on March 14, 2022.

The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.

Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of our strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions.