As of August 12, 2026, the workers at National Steel Car’s production plant in Hamilton are on strike. Seventy-nine percent of workers at the plant voted to strike over low wages, a dangerous incentive program, and retirement becoming further and further out of reach.
United Steel Workers (USW) local 7135, which represents 1200 workers at the firm, stated that it had one of its highest voter turnouts of all time: 91%. Pickets have formed at the railway freight car production plant on the corner of Kenilworth Avenue North and Burlington Street East.
National Steel Car is the largest manufacturer of freight carts in the country, producing for Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, and many U.S.-based firms.
The incentive program in question sees workers’ wages withheld by 25% unless they meet production quotas set by management. USW 7135 president Frank Crowder has stated that while previously, the program was “administered fairly”, quotas are now too high. This has reportedly led to workers working unsafely or through their breaks to make their quotas.
Between 2020 and 2022, three National Steel Car workers were killed on the job: Fraser Cowan on September 2, 2020, Collin Grayley on April 23, 2021, and Quoc Le on June 6, 2022.
The company offered a 3% wage increase over the next year, and 2% over the two subsequent years—below the rate of inflation. The union also has demands related to pensions. National Steel Car reportedly has over 200 workers over the age of 60.
This is the second time in three years that these workers have gone on strike. In 2023, workers formed pickets over real-wage cuts, mandatory weekend work, and rampant safety violations.
Be part of the conversation!
Only subscribers can comment. Subscribe to The North Star to join the conversation under our articles with our journalists and fellow community members. If you’re already subscribed, log in.