OTTAWA – Thursday’s demand in the House of Commons by NDP MP Scott Duvall (Hamilton-Mountain) must be acted on if the federal government has any intention at all of saving Canada’s steel industry, says United Steelworkers’ Ontario/Atlantic Director Marty Warren.
“Mr. Duvall has repeated our sustained call for a release of details on the secret deal signed by the previous government with U.S. Steel in 2011,” said Warren. “Workers and retirees are on the front line and have the most to lose if this vital piece of the puzzle is missing. Our union is involved as much as any other stakeholder. Our status must be respected if there are discussions around potential buyers.”
The 2011 deal ended a federal government lawsuit over U.S. Steel’s failure to fulfil the terms of the original secret deal that allowed the takeover of the former Stelco in 2007.
As USW and the City of Hamilton file yet another motion to the Ontario Court of Appeal for release of details that give U.S. Steel and its parent company priority over every other party involved in discussions around restructuring, the federal government could take one simple step now that would end the court wrangling and allow fruitful dialogue, said Tony DePaulo, assistant to Warren and a lifelong resident of Hamilton.
“Release the details of the 2011 deal,” said DePaulo. “Create a level playing field. Do what this government promised in last fall’s election. Allow transparency and remove the cloak of secrecy.”
Gary Howe, President, USW Local 1005, 905-531-4078, gary.howe@uswa1005.ca
Bill Ferguson, President, USW Local 8782, 905-537-8782, president@uswa8782.com
Tony DePaulo, Assistant to USW Ontario Director, 416-243-8792, 905-869-0760, tdepaulo@usw.ca
Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-544-5966, 416-434 2221, bgallagher@usw.ca
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