Laid-off Stelco steelworkers stressed about company's future

Laid-off Stelco steelworkers stressed about company's future — and their own: 'We're being sold out'

About 85 Hamilton workers are expected to get layoff notices this week, says Stelco union

As the first batch of workers from Hamilton's Stelco steel plant receive layoff notices, some say they're stressed about their futures – and angry they're in this position after being promised job protection when U.S.-based Cleveland-Cliffs bought the company in 2024.

"There's no feelings attached in business, but unfortunately, when we're the workers down here, we have feelings, we have lives, we have families and it's catastrophic," said Jordan Williams, a 31-year-old father of two who got his layoff notice Wednesday.

"We're not just a number… I'm Mr. Jordan Jacob Williams, along with all the other brothers and sisters of [United Steelworkers] Local 1005 and across your company [and] we're very, very hurt," Williams told CBC News on Thursday, as he tried to imagine his future now he is out of work. "It feels like we're being sold out."

The steelmaker announced plans to idle some production in Hamilton at the start of last week, saying then that it could result in up to 500 layoffs between the company's Hamilton and Nanticoke locations. CEO Lourenco Goncalves said the trade war between Canada and the United States has made aspects of the business untenable.

Hamilton expects 333 layoffs; between 40 and 50 in Nanticoke

Ron Wells — president of Local 1005, which covers Stelco workers in Hamilton — told CBC News on Thursday that they are now expecting 333 layoffs within their unit, with additional layoffs at the company's Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke.

Wells said between 85 and 90 Hamilton workers will get their layoff notices on their last shift this week, with about 75 more next week, and the rest the week after.

A look from above on Sept. 29, 2026 at the Stelco Hamilton Works Production facility. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)

In Nanticoke, layoff notices are expected starting Oct. 24, Local 8782 president John McElroy said Thursday. He said 40 to 50 layoffs are expected there, but added the union is actively negotiating to protect some of those jobs, asking the company to eliminate outside contractors so more of its permanent workforce can remain employed.

Last week, Cleveland-Cliffs' senior director of corporate communications Pat Persico said the company's total output of steel will not be impacted as it consolidates production at its Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke. She told CBC that "a significant number of employees affected by the indefinite idle at Hamilton should be absorbed" there.

On Thursday, however, McElroy called that claim "100 per cent untrue. They're only offering 20 production jobs for over 400 laid-off workers," he said.

CBC Hamilton emailed Persico on Friday to clarify this apparent discrepancy but did not hear back by the time of publication.

Stelco's Nanticoke facility, known as Stelco Lake Erie Works, is pictured in October 2026. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)

Williams, who has worked at the company for four years, grew up near Barton Street East and Kenilworth Street North, in one of the neighourhoods closest to Stelco and the city's industrial sector. He said his great-grandfather worked at Stelco and his brother works there now.

"It's definitely in our blood," he said, saying members of the family saw Hamilton's steel industry as a pathway to a good income and career. "I always dreamed of going to high school and eventually working in the steel mill."

Now, he's wondering what the future holds for Stelco and is also worried about the other steel businesses in the area and the impact the job losses will have on the greater economy. He's not sure how he'll pay his bills.

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"I'll be honest, I'm not ready for what's to come," he said. "I have two young children, so when you have to pay child support, barely make ends meet, buy your groceries, pay your rent, it's very tough at the end of the day. So obviously I'm kind of worried about that."

He said he's looking to Canada's political leadership to negotiate a tariff reduction, and wishes there was more visible action on the file.

"We all need to get our big-boy panties on, come to the table and start making the grown-up adult decisions because there's a lot at stake," he said.

'The stress is starting to set in'

Mike Watt, who also works at the Hamilton mill, was told Thursday he'd get his layoff notice on Friday. He says he knew it was coming, but thought he might get an extra week on the job before being laid off.

"The stress is starting to set in a little bit," he told CBC's Hanomansing Live on Thursday, saying Hamilton workers will be able to collect Employment Insurance (EI) and get a small top-up while laid off, but it won't be enough to cover his expenses. (McElroy in Nanticoke said laid-off workers at that facility are not eligible for a top-up so will have to rely solely on EI.)

"The bills don't stop. The mortgage payments don't stop," Watt said. "I've been applying to jobs today in my downtime. So far I went all the way to Alberta to apply for jobs. Anything. There's nothing out there."

Stelco worker Mike Watt says he's looking for a new job but it's a hard time to be job-hunting. (Hanomansing Live/CBC)

Ottawa has given Cleveland-Cliffs until the end of Tuesday to share a plan to keep jobs in Hamilton or face potential legal action. In 2009, Industry Canada sued Stelco's previous owner, U.S. Steel, over job protection. The matter was settled out of court in 2011.

Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on “the government to sue Stelco’s owner and enforce job guarantees.” He was in Burlington, Ont., on Friday to announce the party’s new steel caucus, chaired by Michael Guglielmin, MP for Vaughan-Woodbridge.

Stelco owner's comments on Canadian workers receiving EI are 'insulting': Poilievre

In an email to CBC on Thursday, Gabrielle Landry, spokesperson for Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, said the government would "use every lever possible to defend Canadian industry, protect jobs, and secure our supply chain."

Landry added that the government had offered to provide financial support to sustain Stelco's operations.

"Its decision to reject these practical proposals and continue with layoffs is extremely disappointing," she said.

Hamilton steel plant to lay off hundreds of workers as U.S. tariffs prompt 'survival' move

Saira Peesker is a reporter and producer with CBC Hamilton, with particular interests in climate, labour and local politics. She has previously worked with the Hamilton Spectator and CTV News, and is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, covering business and personal finance.

With files from Jeff Lagerquist, Meagan Fitzpatrick, Hanomansing Live and Conrad Collaco