"It is extremely unsettling to a restructuring process for union officials to be publicly discussing a possible strike," Superior Court Justice Frank Newbould wrote in an order related to negotiations between the United Steelworkers union and Essar Algoma. 

"It is affecting the business of Algoma and that is not helpful to anyone, including the employees. I urge the parties to have meaningful negotiations of the issues surrounding a collective agreement and leave public discussion of the negotiations or threats of action out of it," the judge said, according to the publication. 

The current contract between Essar Algoma and Steelworkers Locals 2724 and 2251 has expired, but employees are continuing to work under a contract extension as they negotiate a new deal. 

The court-appointed monitor in Essar Algoma’s creditor protection case has said that the two sides need to be making significant progress toward reaching a new agreement in order for the company to successfully emerge from creditor protection. 

“The monitor is of the view that it is important that material progress be made in these discussions and negotiations so as to move Algoma closer towards a successful restructuring and emergence from (Companies' Creditor Protection Act) proceedings. Tangible progress is also especially important at this time when Algoma is seeking an extension of the amended (debtor-in-possession) facilities,” the monitor wrote in an update to court earlier this month. 

Local 2251 President Michael Da Prat told SooToday.com last week that the company is seeking 10% wage cut and other concessions. He also said Essar Algoma may seek a no-board report, a legal precursor to a lockout or strike. 

Da Prat told the publication that issuance of a no-board report would trigger a strike vote.