ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada closing wire drawing mill in Hamilton

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HAMILTON — ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada is closing its wire drawing mill in Hamilton, putting 153 employees out of work.

The company said Wednesday all of the work will now be done at its Montreal location.

Chief executive Stephane Brochu said the change is necessary to sustain its wire drawing business.

“It will allow us to improve our operational efficiency and secure our long-term competitiveness in the demanding wire drawing market,” Brochu said in a press release.

Mike Hnatjuk, president of United Steelworkers Local 5328, which represents workers at the mill, said the U.S. tariffs were “a nail in the coffin” for the mill that was already facing challenges.

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Hnatjuk, who expects to begin talks with the company regarding a closure agreement next week, said he’s been told the company plans to stop operations by the end of the month.

“We have stuff in our collective agreement that we hope that they’re going to follow and they’re going to offer and are we most definitely going to try to get what’s best for all this,” he said.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said in a statement that she is deeply concerned for the workers affected.

“This is a serious blow to our community, with immediate and lasting impacts on people’s lives,” said Horwath.

“This closure underscores the urgent need for action from the federal government.”

The Canadian Steel Producers Association has been pushing the federal government to fully reinstate retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. after it doubled tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50% last week.

Efforts to reverse the tariffs hit a setback Tuesday after a U.S. federal appeals court agreed that U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs will remain in place while a case is heard. The decision extends an emergency stay granted after a lower court found the devastating duties unlawful.

The steel producers group says more than 700 workers had already been laid off since the 25% tariffs were imposed in March.

Along with countering U.S. tariffs, the group is also pushing for the government to put tariffs on steel products that originate in China because of allegations of unfair government support.

ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada has more than 2,000 employees with operations at multiple sites in Quebec.

The company produces more than two million tonnes of steel that is used in such things as rebar for the construction industry and for leaf springs in light and heavy-duty trucks.