Latest News

Federal government’s fish farm announcement creates uncertainty for workers and B.C. coastal communities

June 25, 2024
Salmon Farming Rally

Last week, the federal government announced the closure of open-net fish farms along the coast of British Columbia. In five years, this decision will impact the livelihoods of hundreds of workers, including 130 workers at the Mowi Port Hardy Processing Plant and those at the Noboco Styro packaging plant in Campbell River.The United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-1937 represents workers at these plants, while USW Local 2009 represents related operations in the Lower Mainland.

With next-to-no consultation with impacted workers and communities, the federal government is promising a transition plan later this summer.

“The federal government must demonstrate that there is immediate funding and support to look after the workers and the families impacted by the move to closed containment or alternative aquaculture,” said Scott Lunny, USW Director for Western Canada and the Territories. “Traditional worker supports for training and transition are inadequate and fail to address the needs of coastal communities. Announcing the closure without detailing a commitment to maintaining real jobs in these communities, including those involving First Nations in the aquaculture industry, is short-sighted and irresponsible.”

The USW expressed concern that closures will increase the challenges facing small coastal communities, which already struggle to recruit and retain workers.

“Working people fear that distant decision-makers, who’ve never visited their communities, are ill-equipped to understand the impact of the loss of jobs such as those in aquaculture. The federal government can either validate those fears or back their transition plan with meaningful investments, infrastructure and support. Either way, they will be held accountable by workers and communities,” added Lunny.

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.

Join our newsletter

Media Contact

Scott Lunny
USW Director for Western Canada
604-329-5308
slunny@usw.ca
Brett Barden
USW Communications
604-445-6956
bbarden@usw.ca

Recent news

Featured image for Steelworkers union supports NDP plan for massive public infrastructure program using Canadian steel

Steelworkers union supports NDP plan for massive public infrastructure program using Canadian steel

February 18, 2025 | Media Releases

HAMILTON – With job losses already a reality, United Steelworkers union (USW) representatives met today in Hamilton to underscore the urgency of a national program to protect Canadian workers from the Trump administration’s threats of devastating, unprecedented tariffs. USW members from five manufacturing and steel plants in Hamilton and the nearby community of Nanticoke held […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Steelworkers union supports NDP plan for massive public infrastructure program using Canadian steel
A photo of group of people taking a photo in a park wearing winter clothes while smiling to the camera.

Steelworkers Humanity Fund update – December 2024

February 14, 2025 | Publications

Temporary foreign workers, permanent exploitation Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) in Canada are trapped in an unjust labour system that favours employers and erodes workers’ access to proper wages and occupational safety because of their immigration status. Under a “closed” work permit, their contract binds them to one employer, a situation that makes them at risk […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Steelworkers Humanity Fund update – December 2024
a group of people sitting inside a white tent with white and bleu flag

District 6 Update: A year of wins and progress for USW District 6

February 14, 2025 | News Articles

As the new USW District 6 Director, I am honoured to share our significant achievements over the past year. Our collective efforts have strengthened our organizing initiatives and led to notable bargaining successes that advance workers’ rights across Ontario and the Atlantic provinces. A highlight of our bargaining victories was at IMT Defence in Ingersoll, […]

Read More
Click to read the article about District 6 Update: A year of wins and progress for USW District 6