Economic transition demands massive organizing: Tom Conway

The United Steelworkers union must embark on a massive campaign to organize new members, in response to historic opportunities and threats arising from the transition to a decarbonized economy, says USW International President Thomas M. Conway.

“The economy is going through such dramatic change and it brings to the labour movement tremendous opportunities that we haven’t really seen in generations. It also brings tremendous challenges and threats to our jobs,” Conway told delegates to the USW National Policy Conference today.

“We need to be prepared to make organizing our focus for the next decade.”

The focus of the union’s organizing efforts will include workplaces where new jobs will be created as a result of huge investments in public infrastructure and cleaner industries, he said.

“No one is going to hand us those jobs. We’re going to have to go out and get those cards signed.”

Workers, particularly younger generations, are increasingly realizing they can improve their working and living standards by joining a union, Conway noted.

“You see it among young people. The chances they’re willing to take now are at a point where we’ve never seen before,” he said. “The climate for organizing is out there.”

The USW also will use its organizing and political action power to defend its members and demand an economic transition that is worker-focused, Conway said.

“There’s no denying this (transition) has to take place. But you can’t do it just by throwing people out of their jobs,” he said.

“Our members work in industries that are crucial to the clean energy revolution and to the decarbonization of the economy. Having a powerful international union that has a footprint in many of these areas is important for all of us.”

Conway also recognized and paid tribute to his great friend and mentor, USW International President Emeritus Leo W. Gerard, who was in attendance as a guest of honour of the conference.

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