Latest News

USW Rejects Endorsement of Former Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau for OECD Role

November 4, 2020

Late on Friday, October 30, the Canadian Labour Congress, without consulting any union affiliate, announced a joint endorsement with the business lobby group, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of former Finance Minister Bill Morneau for the role of Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

This was a shocking action by the CLC, which is responsible to speak on behalf of working people – defending and strengthening the rights of workers. The CLC and its leadership team has roundly failed workers in its co-sponsored endorsement of Morneau. The USW, its Canadian leaders and members are outraged by this irresponsible and ridiculous action by CLC President Hassan Yussuff.

As Federal Finance Minister, Bill Morneau put forward Bill C-27, which had it been successful, would have imperilled retirement security for Canadians and set workers and pension plans back decades. Morneau was also a key part of a government which interfered in collective bargaining by legislating postal workers back to work, botched paying federal employees with the much-maligned Phoenix system and took numerous other actions that show Morneau has not been on the side of working people.

Partnering with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, without the input of any CLC affiliate, is also deeply troubling and shows a disregard for the labour unions that form the CLC. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is a body that has historically pushed for anti-worker policies that would either halt progress or set working people back.

It’s time for a leadership change at the Canadian Labour Congress that prioritizes the needs and concerns of working people over its own self-promotion. USW leaders and members are demanding better from our national labour leaders.

Join our newsletter

Recent news

Image for USW National Director Marty Warren congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney, calls for immediate action on worker protections, industrial policy and trade

USW National Director Marty Warren congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney, calls for immediate action on worker protections, industrial policy and trade

March 14, 2025 | Media Releases

United Steelworkers union Canadian National Director Marty Warren issued the following statement: “On behalf of the 225,000 members of the United Steelworkers union across Canada, I want to congratulate Mark Carney on becoming the 24th Prime Minister of Canada. Workers across the country are looking to this newly appointed government to stand up for them, […]

Read More
Click to read the article about USW National Director Marty Warren congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney, calls for immediate action on worker protections, industrial policy and trade
A group of women working in a garment factory.

Abject failure: Canada’s would-be human rights watchdog leaves Bangladeshi garment workers languishing in poverty

March 12, 2025 | Statements

In many Bangladeshi garment factories, the women and men who make clothes for export around the globe endure gruelling schedules – six days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day. But no matter how long and hard they work, their wages are so low, these workers cannot escape poverty.  The appalling working and living […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Abject failure: Canada’s would-be human rights watchdog leaves Bangladeshi garment workers languishing in poverty
Image for United Steelworkers union vows to fight back as Trump’s trade war now targets steel and aluminum jobs

United Steelworkers union vows to fight back as Trump’s trade war now targets steel and aluminum jobs

March 11, 2025 | Media Releases

TORONTO – The United Steelworkers union (USW) is denouncing the latest escalation in Donald Trump’s reckless trade war as the U.S. government imposes devastating 50% tariffs on U.S. imports of steel and aluminum from Canada. These measures, effective after midnight, threaten the existence of the Canadian steel industry and thousands of Canadian jobs, disrupt vital […]

Read More
Click to read the article about United Steelworkers union vows to fight back as Trump’s trade war now targets steel and aluminum jobs