Essar Steel Algoma Retirees

On November 6, 2018, Susan Ursel and Karen Ensslen held three consultation meetings in Sault Ste. Marie for retired and former members, and their surviving spouses and beneficiaries, of the Essar Steel Algoma Inc. Salaried Pension Plan and Wrap Plan, and those members of the Essar Steel Algoma Inc. Hourly Plan who opted out of representation by USW Local 2251.  

For those members who were unable to attend the consultation meetings in person, or who wish to view the materials again, our presentation slides are available here. In addition, you can view an audio recording of our presentation alongside our slides here. 

We encourage the retirees to send us their further questions as well as their comments on the proposed changes to the pension plans via email at AlgomaRetirees@upfhlaw.ca. We will be recording a log of comments of the retirees to bring forward to the Superintendent of Financial Services as part of its process of consulting with plan members with respect to these changes.

In our capacity as court-appointed representative counsel, we will be hosting information and consultation meetings for all retired and former members (and the surviving spouses of any such members) of the Essar Steel Algoma Inc. Pension Plan for Salaried Employees and the Essar Steel Algoma Inc. Wrap Pension Plan, as well as those members of the Essar Steel Algoma Inc. Pension Plan for Hourly Employees who opted-out of representation by USW Local 2251.

The purpose of the information and consultation meetings is to inform affected members regarding changes to the funding of the pension plans and certain exemptions from the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario) resulting from the sale of the assets of Essar Steel Algoma Inc., and to gather your views.

Meetings will be held at Marconi Hall, 450 Albert St W Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1C3 on November 6, 2018 at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Further information about the changes to the pension plans has been mailed to retired and former members (and the surviving spouses of such members) of the plans and is available here.

At the insistence of the United Steelworkers Union, Local 2251 (“Local 2251”), a Motion was made before Justice Hainey of the Superior Court of Justice for an Order varying the November 9, 2015 Representative Counsel Order.

The Representative Counsel Order appointed Ursel Phillips Fellows Hopkinson LLP (“Representative Counsel”) as representative counsel for retired members and former members of

1) the Essar Steel Algoma Inc. Pension Plan for Hourly Employees (the “Hourly Plan”);

2) the Essar Steel Algoma Inc. Pension Plan for Salaried Employees (the “Salaried Plan”); and

3) the Essar Steel Algoma Inc. Wrap Pension Plan (the “Wrap Plan”).

The new Order sought by Local 2251 (the “Local 2251 Representation Order”), removes Representative Counsel from representing retired members and former members (or the surviving spouse of any such member) of the Hourly Plan if they were represented by Local 2251 immediately prior to the date on which they retired or their employment with Algoma was terminated. The Local 2251 Representation Order allows Local 2251 to represent these retired members.

After much discussion and consultation, the Representative Counsel Retiree Committee decided to agree to the Local 2251 Representation Order in order to allow Representative Counsel and all parties to move ahead with negotiations regarding the Salaried Plan and the Wrap Plan. Representative Counsel continues to represent members of these two plans.

Representative Counsel consented to the Local 2251 Representation Order, which was issued by Justice Hainey on December 5, 2017.

Please note that the Local 2251 Representation Order allows for Hourly Plan members to opt-out of representation by Local 2251 and to continue to be represented by Representative Counsel. All Hourly Plan retirees will receive a letter in the mail explaining the effect of the Local 2251 Representation Order and attaching an Opt-Out Form.

If you are a retired member or former member (or the surviving spouse of any such member) of the Hourly Plan who was represented by Local 2251 immediately prior to the date on which you retired or your employment with Algoma was terminated and you wish to continue to be represented by Representative Counsel, an Opt-Out Form is also available on our website here. In order for your Opt-Out to be valid, you must send the completed form to the Monitor at the following address:

Ernst & Young Inc.
EY Tower, 100 Adelaide St. W.,
P. O. Box 1,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5H 0B3
Phone: 1-416-943-2277
Fax: 1-416-943-3300
Attn: Philip Kan

If you are a retired member or former member of the Salaried Plan or the Wrap Plan, the Local 2251 Representation Order does not apply to you and you continue to be represented by Representative Counsel.

If you wish to contact us directly, please email us at AlgomaRetirees@upfhlaw.ca.