02 November 2010
Miller Fights to Save Steel Jobs in Hamilton
Calls on McGuinty Liberals to help avoid lockout at US Steel

QUEEN'S PARK—In Question Period Paul Miller, MPP Hamilton East – Stoney Creek raised his grave concerns about the looming lock-out/strike deadline at U.S. Steel Hamilton Hilton Works. He asked when the McGuinty Liberals will “take action to protect these Steelworker jobs in Hamilton?”

Finance Minister Duncan responded with the usual tactics, saying “I’d remind the member opposite that the money he referred to in fact went into the pensions of those workers. He can torque up his language all he wants. That is the simple reality. We have worked in a number of situations, including when this problem first emerged; we will continue to work with all the parties interested in the interests of protecting jobs and, by the way, pensions”.

If the threat of a lock-out this week-end is any indication of how well this Government has worked “with all the parties interested”, they might better have not ‘helped’ at all, said Miller.

To Miller’s further question, “What jobs of equal—I repeat, equal—financial and economic value is this government planning for the steelworkers of the city of Hamilton?”, the Minister again didn’t answer the question.

“I do need to inform the House that first of all Ministry of Labour mediators are available at all times. The Ministry of Economic Development remains in contact with the company.” “I should also remind the member opposite, as he torques up his rhetoric, that US Steel plants in Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota have also been idled. That adds to the layoffs and closures at other plants. This is a serious matter that ought to be taken seriously. We’ve invested $150 million to protect the pensions of those workers. All the services in the government of Ontario will be available to those workers and to that community, as they have been up until now, to help deal with these very difficult circumstances."

“So as long as U.S. plants are idled, we should be okay with this situation” stormed Miller, “especially when we know that Arcelor/Mittel has to turn on its small blast furnace to meet demand.”

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Media Contact: Paul Miller (416) 325-0707

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