United Steelworkers members across Canada and the U.S. and allies around the world mourned the passing of former USW International President Leo Gerard, C.C., on Sept. 21, 2025, in his hometown of Sudbury, Ont. He was 78.
Gerard joined Steelworkers Local 6500 at age 18, when he followed in his father’s footsteps and took a job with mining giant Inco Ltd. in Sudbury. Over a career spanning more than 50 years, he rose through the USW’s leadership ranks to become District 6 Director, National Director for Canada, International Secretary-Treasurer and finally, in 2001, ascending to the role of International President.
Leading North America’s largest industrial union, with 1.2 million members at its height, Gerard had a profound impact on workplace health and safety, gender equality, labour rights, decent pay, pensions, global solidarity, fair trade and social justice. He sought to grow the union through organizing new workers, orchestrating mergers with other labour organizations and building strategic alliances with allies around the world.
When he retired in 2019 as the USW’s longest-serving International President, Gerard had cemented a reputation as a giant of the global labour and social justice movements.
“Leo was a visionary leader, determined and fearless in taking on corporations and lawmakers alike,” USW National Director Marty Warren said following Gerard’s death.
“Leo spent his career building power for workers so that everyone could have safer jobs, better pay, respect, retirement security and fairness. As a proud Canadian, he never wavered from his values, and his life’s work will live on for generations,” Warren said.
“Leo Gerard spent his entire life fighting for workers across the world, and his impact on the USW – and the global labour movement – has been immeasurable,” USW International President David McCall said.
“He inspired countless other workers to carry on the fight for justice and fairness. He will be missed, but we intend to honour his legacy by continuing that work.”
Under Gerard’s leadership, the USW grew as a force to be reckoned with at bargaining tables and in politics. He expanded the union’s coalitions within the international labour movement to combat the forces of globalization, arguing Canadian and American workers would benefit as they helped to raise living standards and improve workers’ rights worldwide.
Gerard’s remarkable legacy was recognized by leading media organizations in the U.S. and Canada, including the New York Times, which credited him with building the USW into a power-wielding “juggernaut” capable of “negotiating with titans of industry and (U.S.) presidents” to defend workers’ interests.
The Globe and Mail noted Gerard’s influence was reflected by U.S. President Barack Obama appointing him to the presidential advisory committee on trade policy and to the advanced manufacturing steering committee established to revitalize the U.S. manufacturing sector.
“Mr. Gerard had a transformative approach to unionism that led him into corporate boardrooms to help restructure struggling companies in order to save jobs. He worked with governments in Canada and the United States to strengthen health and safety laws and frequently visited the White House to advocate for fair trade practices,” Virginia Galt stated in the Globe.
In 2023, Gerard was awarded his country’s highest civilian honour – Companion of the Order of Canada. The highest of the three levels of the Order of Canada, it is bestowed for “outstanding achievement and merit of the highest degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at large.”
Governor General Mary Simon stated Gerard was honoured “for his vast and influential work in labour advocacy, notably as the seventh International President of the United Steelworkers union.”
Gerard was the second Canadian to serve as USW International President, following his mentor Lynn Williams, who led the union from 1983 to 1994 and who was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2005.
Throughout his incomparable career, Gerard never lost sight of his working-class roots.
“My job is to stand in front of the workers,” he told the Wall Street Journal in 2001, when he was installed as USW International President. “I was born into a union family; this is all I know.”
Leo‘s abilities to understand, forcefully represent and embody the values and culture of working people and to be able to communicate and be understood by those at the highest echelons of power are among his most unique and admirable qualities.
– Ken Neumann, former USW National Director
Leo Gerard knew that real strength for workers came through unity. Leo‘s leadership in bringing IWA-Canada (Industrial, Wood And Allied Workers) into the USW and… his role in the merger with the Telecommunications Workers Union transformed our union‘s presence and power in Western Canada. Leo‘s vision built lasting strength for generations of workers and… his legacy will always live on in the work that we do as Steelworkers.
– Scott Lunny, USW District 3 Director
Leo Gerard understood the francophone identity and reality of the Steelworkers union in Quebec, which he integrated into his leadership of our great North American union. He was a powerful speaker who could galvanize activists with his passionate and inspiring oratory. Thank you for everything, Leo! We will continue to lead the fight, following the example you set.
– Nicolas Lapierre, USW District 5 Director
Leo Gerard‘ s life was dedicated to advancing the cause of labour. He believed deeply in the power of unions to transform lives. For decades, Leo reminded us that the labour movement must always rise to meet the moment – and our union is stronger today because of his vision and courage.
– Kevon Stewart, USW District 6 Director
He was brilliant, committed to every single worker clocking in for their shift and showing up in their workplace. Workers in Canada owe him a debt of gratitude for his lifelong commitment to make life better for all of us.
– Bea Bruske, Canadian Labour Congress President
This article appears in the Winter 2025 issue of USW@Work magazine.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
BURNABY, B.C. – The United Steelworkers union (USW) welcomes the BC NDP’s commitments to support forestry workers and communities through new investments to keep mills operating, protect jobs and strengthen B.C.’s forestry sector. The union says the plan is a positive step toward addressing the challenges facing the industry. The BC NDP’s proposed $120-million Forestry […]
Alberta’s future is on the ballot and Steelworkers have a choice to make. We need solutions, not scapegoats. Leadership, not chaos. Our focus should be on strengthening health care, making life more affordable, protecting good jobs and building a better future for working families. That’s why the United Steelworkers union is encouraging members across Alberta […]
Local elections and their advance voting are underway across B.C. and for Steelworkers, the people who get elected in our communities matters, deeply. In the resource communities where thousands of our members live and work, municipal governments make decisions that affect our jobs, families and communities. Strong local leaders can be our champions for forestry, mining […]