Latest News

Steelworker Honoured with ‘Outstanding Contribution’ Award

April 27, 2016

HAMILTON – Chris Carpenter, vice-president of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 16506, from the parent company of John Crane Canada Inc., where Carpenter has worked for 24 years as an operator / machinist programmer.

“Chris is an amazing example of our union’s commitment to the communities in which we live and work,” said USW Ontario Director Marty Warren. “Through our union’s Young Worker Awareness Program, Chris has provided life-saving instruction to literally tens of thousands of high school students in the Hamilton and Halton area since 2000.”

The award, given by Smiths Group, of which Crane is a division, also recognized innovation in developing a racking system, devised and implemented by Carpenter, along with other members of USW Local 16506.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Chris’s work has been vital to keeping young workers healthy and safe when they enter the workforce,” Warren said. “It is gratifying to all of us to know that Smiths Group has singled Chris out of its 23,000 employees worldwide for this honour. We are both proud of him and grateful for his activism.”

Carpenter received the “Smiths Excellence Award in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the communities in which we operate” at a gala ceremony in San Francisco.

Marty Warren, USW Ontario and Atlantic Canada Director, 416-243-8792
Sylvia Boyce, USW Ontario and Atlantic Health and Safety Coordinator, 416-544-5971, sboyce@usw.ca
Chris Carpenter, USW Local 16506 Vice-President, 905-512-2530, ccywa@bell.net
Ken Neumann, USW National Director, 416-544-5951
Nancy Hutchison, USW Health, Safety and Environment, 416-544-6001, nhutchison@usw.ca
Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-544-5966, bgallagher@usw.ca

Join our newsletter

Recent news

2026 BC Election GOTV

Tomorrow is Election Day in B.C. Steelworkers, make your vote count!

October 23, 2026 | News Articles

Tomorrow is Election Day in British Columbia and there’s too much at stake for Steelworkers to sit this one out. Across our province, working families are facing real challenges. Forestry communities are fighting to protect jobs and keep mills running. Mining workers need stronger safety protections and training. Canadian jobs are threatened by outsourcing, and […]

Highland Valley Copper

Steelworkers at Highland Valley Copper issue 72-hour strike notice

October 21, 2026 | Media Releases

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 7619 has issued 72-hour strike notice to Teck’s Highland Valley Copper (HVC) operation near Logan Lake, B.C., following unsuccessful negotiations to reach a fair collective agreement. The notice was served Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m., with the union preparing for potential strike action if an agreement […]

Featured image for Building worker solidarity across North America in uncertain times 

Building worker solidarity across North America in uncertain times 

October 20, 2026 | News Articles

The jobs of thousands of USW members have been plunged into uncertainty due to U.S. tariffs, outsourcing and offshoring. In 2025, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) has supported initiatives that help build union-to-union solidarity, which is critical to ensuring workers have a voice.   Over the years, the USW has supported the efforts of the Mexican […]