Steelworker union locals close to votes on agreements with Stelco buyer

The union locals representing Stelco workers and retirees in Hamilton and Nanticoke are hosting membership meetings next week to discuss agreements with Bedrock Industries, the company seeking to buy Stelco.

The scheduling of the meetings comes as a key deadline approaches on the bid by Bedrock to buy the steelmaker. 

The meetings are significant because the judge in the court supervised sale has said he won't sign off on a plan until collective bargaining agreements are in place with the unions. The plan has buy-in from all other major stakeholders so far.

An announcement Thursday from Local 1005 was light on detail, but reiterated the union chapter's three priorities in the sale process: jobs, pensions and benefits for retirees.

"Currently we are working on a framework for an agreement which we are planning to present to the membership next week," the announcement from the Local 1005 bargaining committee said.

Meanwhile, Local 8782, the chapter representing Nanticoke, Ont., workers and retirees said Thursday it has "reached a tentative agreement with Bedrock" and will also set up meetings next week to disclose details to members and put the proposal up for a vote.

The announcements come two weeks before the Stelco sale plan is set to go before a judge on June 9. It's unclear if the Local 1005 meeting next week will include a vote. 

The plan as floated publicly so far calls for active and retired members of United Steelworkers Local 1005 in Hamilton to get 70 per cent of post-retirement benefits funded.

That's compared to 100 per cent for the members of Local 8782, which represents Nanticoke, Ont. workers and retirees.

The Hamilton chapter has about 500 active workers, but also represents 15,000 pensioners.

"It's pretty difficult for people – everyone was friends," said Gary Howe, president of Local 1005, in a previous interview. "For only one group to get 100 per cent OPEBs (other post-employment benefits), that's a pretty difficult pill to swallow."

Howe declined to comment Thursday beyond the announcement. Bill Ferguson, president of Local 8782, was not immediately available for comment.