National Steel Car production grinds to a halt as Hamilton workers strike for higher wages

All production has stopped at Hamilton's National Steel Car as 1,450 workers continue to strike this week. 

Workers walked off the job on June 29 and are striking to demand higher wages and improved safety from the railcar manufacturing company, said Frank Crowder, union president of United Steelworkers Local 7135.

He spoke from the picket line Tuesday morning, where dozens of workers were crowded in front of the plant's entrance gate on Kenilworth Avenue North. The smell of smoke wafted from a fire burning in an old oil drum as rock music played. 

Crowder said the union "worked late into the night last Wednesday to try and reach a tentative agreement but were unable to do so."

While negotiations still weren't happening as of Tuesday, Crowder said he's optimistic that will change soon. 

"Their railcars aren't being built and we know there's a full order book that's not getting filled," he said. "The company feels the pressure and we do too in lost wages. We're hoping the company will agree something has to be done here and let's get back to work." 

National Steel Car did not respond to CBC Hamilton's requests for comment. 

These Hamilton union members are among a growing number of workers across Canada this year who've threatened job action or gone on strike, including West Jet pilots and federal public servants. 

Currently, more than 7,000 workers who load and unload cargo at more than 30 ports in British Columbia are on strike, as retailers warn it will disrupt supply chains and increase costs across North America. 

The rail cars built at the Hamilton plant transport "critical" products across the country, said Crowder. These products include food and fuel. 

"We're looking for a fair deal," said Crowder. "The economy has gone crazy and inflation is up. We have a lot of workers coming from Niagara and Welland and the amount they have to spend on gas, they might as well find a minimum wage job closer to where they live." 

According to Crowder, National Steel Car has offered workers 10 per cent wage increases over three years, but he said steelworkers with other union locals have been promised more. 

There's also the issue of safety, as three workers have died on the job in recent years, including welder Quoc Le in 2022. 

Crowder said conditions have improved since then, with the Ministry of Labour issuing two orders and 26 requirements to National Steel Car. The company was also charged with three offences in May, related to Le's death, according to the ministry.