Striking Steel Car workers reject offer

National Steel Car employees have voted to stay on strike to fight for better severance assurances, pension contributions and seniority rights.

About 650 workers, who have been on strike since April, voted 67 per cent against the company's final offer yesterday despite the economic downturn.

"We are waiting for the company to come back and bargain. We are willing to do that anytime," said Steve Weller, president of United Steelworkers Local 7135.

"We are disappointed with the result," said National Steel Car spokesman Peter Earle last night.

"We are considering our options going forward.

"No decisions have been taken about anything."

The union said the company did not agree to acceptable "closing out" provisions for worker severances and benefits in the event National Steel Car shuts the doors on the Hamilton plant.

"The company is building a plant in Alabama and we are not sure how much security we have in the next few years," Weller said.