US Steel restarting Hamilton coke ovens

US Steel Canada has been granted permission to restart its Hamilton coke oven battery, sending 77 people back to work.

United Steelworkers Local 1005 president Rolf Gerstenberger confirmed the decision with CHCH News this morning. The emergency hearing – which took all of 10 minutes – was held to allow a ship loaded with coal to be diverted to the idled Hamilton plant before the St Lawrence Seaway closes for the winter.

The Hamilton coke-making operation was idled in October when the company filed for creditor protection. The coke will be sent to US Steel’s Lake Erie plant, and south to its U.S. operations.