REGINA – The United Steelworkers union (USW) strongly supports the Saskatchewan NDP’s call for massive investments in trade-enabling infrastructure to secure good jobs, boost the economy and expand market access for the province’s world-class exports.
“We need serious investment in trade-enabling infrastructure to secure good jobs and a strong future for workers in Saskatchewan and across Canada,” said Mike Day, USW Local 5890 president.
“Steelworkers know first-hand that when our economy depends too much on the United States, we’re vulnerable to tariffs, trade disputes and job losses. Expanding rail, pipelines and power transmission isn’t just about exports, it’s about ensuring long-term stability for working families,” Day said.
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck has called on the provincial and federal governments to take immediate action to strengthen Saskatchewan’s trade infrastructure, including investments in rail expansion, pipelines to the East Coast, improved electrical transmission lines to Alberta and Manitoba and the twinning of Highway 1 from coast to coast. The USW supports this call, emphasizing the crucial role these projects will play in supporting jobs in the steel manufacturing, energy and transportation sectors.
“The United Steelworkers has long advocated for policies that support a strong domestic economy and secure good-paying jobs,” said Scott Lunny, USW Director for Western Canada. “By investing in infrastructure, we not only protect workers in Saskatchewan but also ensure our industries can compete on a global scale.”
The USW also stresses the need for these projects to generate good, unionized jobs while prioritizing the use of Canadian-made steel and materials.
“Workers in Saskatchewan and across the country stand to benefit from these investments,” said Darrin Kruger, USW Saskatchewan Area Co-ordinator. “Expanding our infrastructure means more opportunities for our members in steel, mining, energy and manufacturing. It’s time for governments to step up and commit to a long-term plan that puts working people first.”
With federal and provincial budgets on the horizon, the USW urges policymakers to prioritize these infrastructure investments to strengthen Canada’s economy, reduce reliance on the United States and create jobs for the future.
About the United Steelworkers union:
The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of the union’s strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions.
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