Clouds surround the futures of several steel mills

Negotiations involving potential buyers and sellers or labor and management groups are being held simultaneously concerning several large steelmaking complexes around the world.

Recent steel industry-related reports or events in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States include:

• In Canada, an online article  by the Toronto Globe and Mail says the union representing workers at U.S. Steel Canada Inc. (USSC) reports there are interested buyers in the American company’s Canadian facilities. The United Steelworkers (USW) union says “it is in discussions with several parties that are interested in acquiring the steelmaker and keeping it running,” according to the Globe and Mail. USSC and the Canadian USW chapters are in a dispute with former USSC parent company United States Steel Corp. (U.S. Steel) on many aspects of USSC’s future, including who has the right to negotiate with potential buyers.
   
• In the U.K., India-based Tata Steel announced the layoff of 750 workers at the Port Talbot integrated steelmaking complex in Scunthorpe, Wales. An earlier Financial Times online report indicated that layoffs were likely as Tata cuts costs and negotiates with unions there. The complex employed about 3,500 people directly (before the layoffs) and many more indirectly in the surrounding region. The British government also is likely to be involved in negotiations to keep the complex viable, as the Financial Times reports that environmental taxes (along with Chinese steel imports) are among the competitive disadvantages faced by Tata at the site.
   
• In Indiana in the U.S., the situation appears less dire. USW union and U.S. Steel are in negotiations regarding several steelmaking complexes in northern Indiana. An online report from the Minster, Indiana-based The Times indicates the USW has mailed out ballots to workers at mills in Gary, East Chicago and Portage, Indiana. A union officer quoted in the article says the deal offers no pay raises, but that is to be expected as “it’s a very difficult time in the steel industry.” Should U.S. Steel return to profitability, the unionized workers would be eligible for increased profit-sharing income.