Minister, Steelworkers Meet

Gordon Balser, Minister responsible for Sydney Steel Corp., met today in Sydney with leadership of the steelworkers union to open discussions on the settlement of worker-related issues relating to the receivership of Sysco.

Mr. Balser said the government is committed to fair treatment of workers as the first priority regardless of the outcome of the receivership process. On Thursday the government terminated an agreement with Rail Associates, which had made an offer to buy the mill but later failed to meet the terms and attempted to renegotiate other critical clauses. As a result, the government called in receivers Ernst & Young.

"We have said from the outset, our priority is the well-being of the workers, and that commitment will be met," said Mr. Balser. "We are determined that the interests of both the taxpayers and the steelworkers will be protected."

Mr. Balser also met in Sydney with Mayor David Muise and members of the council of Cape Breton Regional Municipality.