The District 3 School will be taking place Sunday, Sept. 14 – Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at St. Eugene Resort in Cranbrook, B.C. on the traditional unceded territory of the Ktunaxa Nation. St. Eugene is proudly reclaimed and owned by the Ktunaxa Nation.
Ktunaxa (pronounced ‘k-too-nah-ha’) people have occupied the lands adjacent to the Kootenay, Columbia Rivers and the Arrow Lakes of British Columbia, Canada for more than 10,000 years and covers approximately 70,000 square kilometres (27,000 square miles) within the Kootenay region of south-eastern British Columbia and historically included parts of Alberta, Montana, Washington and Idaho.
Members are responsible for arranging travel to ensure they arrive in Cranbrook by the 5:00 p.m. opening session on Sunday. Registration will take place between 1:00 and 4:30 p.m on Sunday. The final session concludes at noon on Friday followed by lunch. Return travel should be arranged in the afternoon or evening.
2025 courses
The following courses will be offered this year:
This course will broaden members’ understanding of the union’s obligations around harassment and discrimination. Topics covered will include impacts, root causes and the union’s responsibilities in the workplace and union.
Because we will be covering more advanced concepts such as legal frameworks, case law and strategies for locals, we recommend that participants have some knowledge of the grievance process and are active in their local.
This course will focus on how to build support among members around the union’s bargaining issues. As a union, we know our biggest strength is our members, so it’s important to get our members involved in contract negotiations.
This training will cover topics like building solidarity, communication, member engagement, research, leverage, and tactics. It’s recommended for local union members who already understand bargaining and their local union setup, and who will work with their local to prepare members for bargaining.
This training does not cover bargaining tactics; instead, it focuses on actions the union can take outside the bargaining table to strengthen the bargaining committee’s leverage.
This course will deepen your understanding of our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. We will look at the connections between Indigenous struggles and labour struggles, including USW’s experience with bargaining and representing Indigenous members.
In an open, respectful forum, participants will be encouraged to ask questions about current issues, cultural practices, or other matters so that they will feel more knowledgeable about Canada’s peoples, history, and present-day reality. By the end of the course, you will be better equipped to be a good ally on Indigenous issues and to practice reconciliation inside our union and in your community.
*The district has scholarships for members to attend this course, please reach out to dsykes@usw.ca to get more information.
This course is designed to introduce members to their role as a worker representative and their role on the joint occupational health and safety committee. This course will look at how to identify and address hazards, and how to assess the controls required to address hazards.
Participants will learn to access their provincial health and safety laws, Part II of the Canada Labour Code, regulations, and related laws. They will practice workplace inspections, investigate accidents and incidents, and discuss the duties of workplace committee members and safety representatives.
This course offers an opportunity to learn new skills and strategies for Steelworker activists to use in joint labour-management committees and as shop stewards. Designed for both new and seasoned activists, it covers union-management relations, traditional and modern management theories, and the history of work organization.
Emphasis will be on communication, group dynamics, and conflict resolution. Through hands-on practice, you’ll gain confidence in both the boardroom and union meetings.
Steelworkers are leaders inside and outside of our workplaces, protecting workers’ rights, speaking out for change, and motivating and encouraging the participation of members at work, in our communities, and through political action.
Leadership for Action will help you develop leadership and communications skills to build solidarity.
Due to the number of courses being offered, class sizes and registration will be limited.
All courses are registered on a first come – first serve basis. Enroll early!
Registration fees
The cost for each delegate this year will be $2,100. This fee includes single room accommodation, meals and course materials. If members choose to bring an additional guest, there will be a charge of $750.00 for guest meals. If your guest requires individual meal options, or are bringing children under 12, please contact Dayna Sykes at dsykes@usw.ca for costs.
Members who bring additional guests are encouraged to prepay to the USW but will be permitted to pay the USW for their guests on arrival. Cash or cheques are the only payment accepted. Sorry, the USW does not accept credit cards or Interac. Members are required to pre-register their guests with the USW before arrival.
Members who are considered in-town (no hotel room required) or are sharing a hotel room with another full-price delegate in room will have a registration fee of $1,050.00 for meals as well as costs of the course and other school activities.
For your information
- The registration form and fee per person must be received in the District 3 office no later than FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025.
- The registration fee includes all meals from Sunday evening to lunch at noon on Friday. There will be a banquet dinner on Thursday night. The fee also includes accommodation (Sunday to Thursday inclusive) and course materials.
- Transportation will be provided from/to the airport. Please include your flight number and time during registration (if you have it at the time of registration) or provide it to Jullin at jaberly@usw.ca.
- You are expected to attend and participate in all sessions, including the evening sessions. You are there with the trust of the members to use their union dues in a way that will benefit members. Locals will be contacted if attendance is an issue.
- Cancellations: If for any reason a student is unable to attend the school, please inform the District Office no later than one week prior to the commencement of the school.
- Registration will take place from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Sunday, September 14 in the St. Eugene’s Pavilion.
Please ensure that each student has a copy of all the information.
MEMBERS will be required to pay for any incidentals incurred while in attendance at the school. If you do not cover these costs, the hotel will contact you or your local for the remuneration of these costs. The District will not be responsible for these costs.
Robbie Kilbride Scholarship
In memory of Brother Robbie Kilbride, District 3 is offering a scholarship to a local union member who wants to participate in the District School.
To apply for this scholarship, you are asked to write a 300-word essay on: “Factors to consider when making the decision to move forward in advancing a grievance”.
The essay is to be sent to the District 3 office no later than August 29, 2025, along with a completed registration form and registration fee. The local of the successful applicant will be reimbursed the registration fee.
Robbie passed away on June 7, 2004, leaving behind a long legacy of participation in the District 3 Summer Schools. His years of dedication to the Arbitration course have left his mark not only on the course but also on the hundreds of students who witnessed Robbie at his finest in the classroom. When it came to instructing others and mentoring Shop Stewards, Robbie was an accomplished teacher.
Robbie started his career at IPSCO in Port Moody, B.C. as a member of Local 5404 in 1974. Robbie held many positions in his local, including President. When IPSCO closed its operation in 1989, Robbie became an Organizer for the Steelworkers.
In June of 1990, Robbie became a staff representative and was assigned to service in Kimberley, B.C. His skills at the bargaining table and before an Arbitration Board assisted him to carry the local unions in the area through some difficult times. His passion was doing arbitrations and he was widely known and respected for his abilities by trade unionists, as well as employers and the lawyers he went up against.
In June of 1995, Robbie was assigned to the Trail, B.C. office where he remained until 2000 when he was transferred to the Winnipeg office and became the Area Supervisor. He was also the District 3 Health and Safety Coordinator and a member of the National Health and Safety Committee. Robbie was an active member of the NDP and sat on the Manitoba Federation of Labour.