The United Steelworkers Union (USW) and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) held a press conference in Hawkesbury on Wednesday, March 19 to show they are in solidarity with employees at Ivaco Rolling Mills. The two organizations also want the federal government to take strong action to ensure all workers affected by the current tariff and trade situation with the United States receive adequate support. The USW represents most of the 600 to 700 employees at the steel mill in L’Orignal and the CLC is the national organization of all trade unions.
A combination of permanent layoffs and furloughs affecting up to 150 people at Ivaco were recently announced as the steel industry in Canada faces tariffs of up to 50 per cent on Canadian-made steel being imported into the United States.
“We are standing with the workers. We are fighting with you,” CLC Executive Vice President Larry Rousseau said, surrounded by a group of Ivaco employees.
“We will not stop until we see action from this government,” he said about organized labour’s efforts to secure help for workers whose jobs are affected by tariffs.
“How are they going to pay the bills? How are they going to support their families?” Rousseau remarked.
He continued by commenting on the effect job losses, both permanent and temporary, will have on the community.
“Local businesses are going to suffer. Services are going to decline. Hawkesbury and L’Orignal cannot afford to lose anymore,” Rousseau said.
An Ivaco employee who spoke at the press conference said there is a feeling of uncertainty at the mill.
“Everything is up in the air for basically everybody,” he remarked.
USW Area coordinator Richard Leblanc described the tariffs as “reckless,” and an “industry killer.”
“This is an attack on workers and Canadian sovereignty,” Leblanc said.
He noted that 90 per cent of the steel manufactured in Canada usually goes to the US, and Ivaco is the largest manufacturer in the region. He said the tariffs will be devastating for the local economy and employment but will also affect other industries including automotive and forestry.
“This economic chokehold could devastate entire communities,” Leblanc commented.
“Our economies are integrated, meaning these tariffs will hurt US businesses and workers too,” he added.
Leblanc said the federal government should introduce wage subsidies, enhanced Employment Insurance, and other support for impacted industries. He said the government should prioritize domestic procurement and impose retaliatory tariffs targeted at certain sectors in the US.
CLC President Bea Bruske also called for strong federal intervention to assist working people. She said the CLC warned the government months ago about the need to help. Bruske said she has met with Steven MacKinnon, the minister responsible for labour and wants more than short-term solutions.
“Governments have to think bigger and bolder,” Bruske said.
She urged the government to focus on strengthening east-west orientated trade and infrastructure.
Bruske is concerned about smaller communities losing more of their residents due to further declines in manufacturing jobs.
“We need to keep people in the communities they grew up in,” she remarked.
Leblanc noted that Ivaco has been located in L’Orignal since 1971 and the plant had a strong future until tariffs came along. He emphasized that relations between unionized workers and the company are good.
With a federal election campaign expected, Bruske suggested federal party leaders should be thinking about how they are going to support workers.
“Worker priorities and safeguarding our social safety net have to be priority one,” Bruske emphasized.
