This is just a snapshot of what's happening all over. There is no way the union is giving those concessions.'

But a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania-based firm said they are 'ready and willing to get back to the bargaining table and work together on an agreement that both of us can accept and which will preserve our price competitiveness in an increasingly cost-conscious steel industry that has been hit hard by the economic downturn.'

Headquartered at Hamilton near here, ArcelorMittal Dofasco has operations in Canada, the US and Mexico. It produces hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanised, tinplate steels, tubular products and laser-welded blanks that are used in the auto, construction, energy, packaging and manufacturing sectors.

Its subsidiary, Quebec Cartier Mining Company (QCM), has extensive iron ore mining operations in Canada.

Originally known as Dofasco Inc., it merged with the global steel giant to become its subsidiary in North America.

(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at gurmukh.s@ians.in)