NDP leader Tom Mulcair’s statement on US Steel court decision

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair released the following statement on yesterday’s court decision on U.S. Steel:

“Today, our thoughts are with the thousands of families who have had their health benefits eliminated because Stephen Harper and the Conservatives chose the interests of the American-owned US Steel over the needs of Canadian workers.

The decision today, the most recent consequence of an American takeover that the Conservatives rubber-stamped, allowed U.S. Steel to walk away from its commitments to more than 20,000 pensioners and the city of Hamilton.

The devastating impact on families and communities will be felt in Hamilton and across the Niagara peninsula.

More than 20,000 retirees and their dependents will lose the pension health benefits they rely on. These people were counting on someone to stand up for them but Stephen Harper and the Conservatives ignored the needs of these families and failed the city of Hamilton. He has the wrong priorities.

Pension benefits are not gifts from a company. They are compensation earned by workers, just like a salary, but are deferred until retirement. These health benefits were negotiated in good faith and earned through many years of hard work.

The Conservatives have let U.S. Steel off the hook. Now, the entire city of Hamilton and 20,000 retirees have been left to pay the price.

Canadians deserve better.”