The Stel Salaried Pensioners Organization wishes to thank Managing Editor Kim Novak of the Simcoe Times-Reformer for permission to post the following article by Reporter Monte Sonneberg published in the February 17, 2004 edition

(Quoted from the Simcoe Times-Reformer, Tuesday, February 17, 2004/ Page 5)

SPELLER AWAITS OUTCOME OF STELCO COURT PROCEEDINGS

Monte Sonnenberg

Ottawa won’t be in a position to react to the potential failure of Canada’s largest steelmaker until a court decides the future of Stelco Inc. Local MP and federal agriculture minister Bob Speller is receiving regular updates on the predicament facing Stelco now that it has filed for bankruptcy protection from it’s creditors.

Thusday, Speller explained it is up to the bankruptcy court to separate fact from fiction with regard to Stelco’s finances. Once the situation is clarified, Ottawa will be in a better position to get involved. Speller has no doubt that the situation is serious, especially for the 13,000 former employees of Stelco who are in danger of losing pensions and retirement benefits.

“They’re in difficulty,” Speller said. “It’s difficult when people have worked all their lives to get the company where it is and then have their pensions jeopardized.”

Senior representatives of the United Steelworkers of America discussed Stelco’s predicament with federal cabinet ministers this week.

Speller, MP for Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant, represents many of the 1,400 employees of Stelco Lake Erie in Nanticoke. Joining him during last week’s meeting were Hamilton MP and federal transport minister Tony Valeri and Hamilton MP and revenue minister Stan Keyes. Also in attendance was trade minister Jim Peterson.

“ We had a constructive dialogue,” says Lawrence McBrearty, USWA national director in Canada. “But there must be an end to the bleeding of this industry. Too much time has passed to let this situation deteriorate further.”

McBrearty impressed on the ministers the need to crack down on steel imports that are being sold in Canada for less than the command in their home market.

This is known as “dumping” and is illegal under international trade law. Much of this steel comes from developing countries that lack the stringent employment, industrial and environmental regulations adopted in Canada. McBrearty also discussed these issues this week with with federal labour minister Claudette Bradshaw in a separate meeting.

While there are no mechanisms in place at the federal level for dealing with emergencies like Stelco’s bankruptcy protection, McBrearty received assurances that Ottawa will help however it can if necessary.

“They assured me that ,when we get down the road and find out where we’re going , they will be expecting me to come knocking on their door,” he said Thursday.

Stelco employs 9,500 workers , most of them at it’s Hilton Works plant in Hamilton. Stelco Lake Erie employees are represented by USWA Local 8782. Local president Bill Ferguson is apprising Speller of developments several times a week.

While Speller is withholding judgment until the bankruptcy court has it’s say , he noted that Stelco competitor Dofasco managed a $115.8 million net profit last year. This is in contrast to Stelco’s $168 million net loss over the same 12 months.

“Good for Dofasco,” Speller said.