According to a press release from the United Steelworkers (USW) union in Canada, last-ditch efforts by the USW and supporters including Hamilton city council have failed to save the century-old Hamilton Specialty Bar (HSB) from liquidation.
"We were unable to get a buyer to continue operating the plant," said Tony DePaulo, Assistant to the USW Ontario Director of the United Steelworkers (USW), which represents more than 200 HSB employees.
"We did everything we could, and city council offered to help as well, but in the end there was no viable offer to buy the plant and prevent the liquidation," DePaulo said.
"It's devastating for all the employees and pensioners who are affected. It's hard to accept because it could have been avoided. If it wasn't for mismanagement and secrecy by the previous ownership, this plant could still be open."
HSB workers were surprised to learn in early January that the steel mill was in receivership and facing the possibility of closing. In March, a Superior Court judge approved a motion from a court-appointed receiver that HSB be sold to a company that planned to liquidate the plant's assets.
"We have a good workforce here, making very good product. The ownership weren't forthright with us. They didn't tell us what was happening for over a year, when they were apparently trying to sell the place," said Mickey Mercanti, President of USW Local 4752 representing HSB workers.
HSB is an electric-arc mill that melted its own steel and manufactured products such as ingots and round bars, mostly for the automotive industry.