153 workers to be let go as ArcelorMittal closes Hamilton wire mill

ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada (AMLPC) is closing its wire drawing mill in Hamilton, which will affect 153 employees.

The company says all work will now be done at its Montreal location.

Jean-Phillipe Grou, the director of communications with AMLPC told CHCH News that the announcement was made to employees earlier Wednesday morning.

Mike Hnatjuk, the president of the United Steelworkers Local 5328, said that the writing was on the wall with the tariffs and other factors, but the announcement Wednesday morning was still a surprise.

“Shocked – I’ve been an employee there for just over 30 years, and we have gone through a lot in that plant,” said Hnatjuk. “What’s happening now is just a shame.”

Grou said a joint employer-union committee was formed to determine next steps, and provide the affected employees support.

“Despite our best efforts, the ongoing economic challenges, increased steel imports in Canada, and market conditions made it clear that we needed to reduce our operating footprint and focus our wire drawing production on one site only,” said Grou. “This decision has not been made lightly and comes after much consideration of all possible alternatives. All our efforts are now focused on supporting employees affected by this closure.”

Company chief executive Stéphane Brochu says the change is necessary to sustain its wire drawing business and will allow it to improve efficiency and secure its long-term competitiveness.

“It is never an easy decision to close a site,” said Brochu, in the announcement. “First and foremost, all our efforts are focused on supporting the employees affected by this closure.”

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The lay offs follow after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week to increase steel tariffs, from 25 per cent to 50 per cent.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said at the time that he was ready to fight back, and that he was calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to match Trump’s new tariffs dollar for dollar, with a new 25 per cent tariff on American goods.

ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada has more than 2,000 employees with operations at multiple sites in Quebec.

The company produces more than two million tonnes of steel that is used in such things as rebar for the construction industry and for leaf springs in light and heavy-duty trucks.

Hnatjuk said the mill has gone through tough times, but the tariffs added on to an already suffering steel industry in Hamilton.

“It was more of a shock, because – as I said – we have gone through worse,” said Hnatjuk. “But with the writing on the wall with the tariffs and that – yes, we have seen the last few months – we had about 25 per cent of our workforce was laid off just two, three months ago when the these tariffs started coming in, and with this other 25 per cent coming in, yeah it really did impact us.”

Hnatjuk said he believes the tariffs weren’t the only factor that led to the closure.

“Our company can’t compete with the prices of the dumping of steel coming from China, we need our government to be able to stand up and protect our steel industry,” said Hnatjuk. “30 years ago, this city was full of steel manufacturing, and you know I’ve just watched our steel industry here in Hamilton deplete and almost become obsolete.”

Canada is the largest supplier of steel for the United States.

Joanna Kanga, a senior communications advisor for Canada’s minister of foreign affairs, told CHCH News that the “illegal and unjustified U.S. tariffs threaten the livelihoods of workers on both sides of the border.”

“Canada and Canadian workers will not be bullied,” said Kanga in a statement. “We are going to fight against these tariffs, for every worker, every job, every business. We are going to use Canadian steel to build across the country, from coast to coast to coast.”

An official statement from Horwath’s office released Wednesday afternoon reads, “I am deeply concerned for the wellbeing of the workers and their families who are now facing the devastating news of the ArcelorMittal Long Products Mill closure in Hamilton. This is a serious blow to our community, with immediate and lasting impacts on people’s lives.”

The statement further reads Horwath imploring the federal government for urgent action and to prioritize Hamilton – it being one of the most significantly impacted cities in Canada.

“Once layoff notices are issued, and a plant goes dark, it’s too late,” said Horwath in the document.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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