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Stelco to idle Hamilton plant and lay off up to 500 workers
Stelco Holdings Inc. has announced it will indefinitely idle its cold-rolled and coated steel operations at its Hamilton Works plant in Ontario, effective October 9. The company, a subsidiary of the U.S.-based Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., cited a shrinking market and weak demand as primary drivers for the decision. Stelco expects the move to affect up to 500 workers, though United Steelworkers Local 1005 president Ron Wells estimates the immediate layoffs will be around 350.
The company plans to concentrate its production at the Lake Erie Works facility in Nanticoke, Ontario, stating that overall steel tonnage will remain unchanged. Cleveland-Cliffs indicated that a significant number of the displaced Hamilton workers could be absorbed by the Nanticoke plant.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has condemned the move, accusing Cleveland-Cliffs of “betraying” Canadian workers. Carney noted that the company has binding employment obligations stemming from its C$3.4 billion acquisition of Stelco in 2024. He threatened legal action to ensure these obligations are met. The layoffs are being viewed by industry experts as a direct consequence of the escalating trade war, specifically the 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, which have severely impacted the manufacturing supply chain.
Entities
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. · Donald Trump · Hamilton · Hamilton, Ontario · Lake Erie Works · Mark Carney · Stelco Holdings Inc. · United Steelworkers Local 1005
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Union president Ron Wells estimates approximately 350 steelworkers will be laid off. www.goniec.net · time.news
- [● 4 SOURCES] U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum have significantly reduced demand for cold-rolled and galvanized products. www.goniec.net · www.europesays.com · globalnews.ca · edmonton.citynews.ca
- [● 4 SOURCES] The company will shift production focus to its Lake Erie Works facility in Nanticoke, Ontario. www.goniec.net · www.europesays.com · www.steelmarketupdate.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The layoffs could affect up to 500 workers across the Hamilton and Lake Erie Works facilities. www.goniec.net · www.europesays.com · edmonton.citynews.ca · time.news · winnipeg.citynews.ca
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cleveland-Cliffs expects a significant number of affected Hamilton workers to be absorbed by the Lake Erie facility. www.newsday.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Canadian government intends to pursue legal action against Cleveland-Cliffs regarding binding employment obligations from its 2024 acquisition of Stelco. www.europesays.com · edmonton.citynews.ca · looniepolitics.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Stelco is indefinitely idling cold-rolled and coated operations at its Hamilton Works plant. www.goniec.net · www.steelmarketupdate.com · time.news
- [● 4 SOURCES] Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused Cleveland-Cliffs of betraying Canadian workers. www.europesays.com · edmonton.citynews.ca · looniepolitics.com · www.newsday.com