Creating equity

Changes in the workforce have demanded that unions remain representative and responsive. By applying the principles of equality, justice, dignity and respect within the union, the United Steelworkers has promoted human rights since its beginning. Steelworkers understand that everyone is entitled to the same rights and freedoms, regardless of race, religion, gender, age or sexual orientation.

Human Rights Committee Guide

Calendar of religious and special days

Use this calendar to recognize special holidays of many faiths and plan local union meetings and events so that all members may attend.

2025

2026

Human rights & equity photos

View the Human Rights & Equity photo gallery on Flickr.

VIEW PHOTOS

Featured resources

D6 LGBTQ2SIA+ Inclusion Tool

July 27, 2022
D6 LGBTQ2SIA+ Inclusion Tool

USW Bargaining Guide for Advancing Indigenous Rights – Revised June 2022

Booklets & Manuals • Reports • Research & Publications
July 20, 2017
USW Bargaining Guide for Advancing Indigenous Rights – Revised June 2022

Equality Agenda: Our Policy on Human Rights

Policy
August 4, 2010
Equality Agenda: Our Policy on Human Rights

News

Featured image for Celebrating 30 years of Black History Month in Canada

Celebrating 30 years of Black History Month in Canada

January 30, 2026 | News Articles

A statement from USW Canada’s Directors on Black History Month 2026 marks the 30th year of celebrating Black History Month in Canada and the USW shares the national theme of “Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations – From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” Each year, Black History Month celebrates the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians. […]

Two people facilitating a workshop in a room.

USW members join a health and safety exchange with Mexican brothers and sisters

January 29, 2026 | News Articles

In the summer of 2025, Steelworkers joined a delegation of Canadian union representatives to travel to Mexico for a technical exchange on occupational health and safety with unions from both countries.  In Cuernavaca, Mexico, they participated in a three-day workshop with workers who had recently organized their own workplaces to form unions or were in […]

Featured image for Steelworkers Humanity Fund contributes $10,000 to humanitarian emergency in Sri Lanka

Steelworkers Humanity Fund contributes $10,000 to humanitarian emergency in Sri Lanka

December 18, 2025 | Media Releases

TORONTO – The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is donating $10,000 toward emergency relief efforts in Sri Lanka, where over 400 people have died over the last three weeks and 1.8 million have been affected by floods, landslides and severe weather caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The SHF funding is being provided to the Free Trade Zones […]

More resources

2026 Calendar of Religious and Special Days

Misc. Resources
December 1, 2025
2026 Calendar of Religious and Special Days
Poster with text: March 8, International Women's Day for ALL women and girls.

Poster for March 8, International Women’s Day

Misc. Resources
March 7, 2025
Poster for March 8, International Women’s Day

Hygiene facility regulations and requirements by jurisdiction

Policy
December 16, 2024
Hygiene facility regulations and requirements by jurisdiction
A poster portraying the effects of racism and systemic racism on overall health. There are two racialized people wearing their work outfit in the centre of the poster.

The effects of racism and systemic racism on overall health

Misc. Resources
December 3, 2024
The effects of racism and systemic racism on overall health

How unions can support members with family responsibilities

Misc. Resources
October 23, 2024
How unions can support members with family responsibilities

Justice Conference 2024 materials

Booklets & Manuals
September 23, 2024
Justice Conference 2024 materials

Building Trust, Becoming Allies: Practical ways for USW local unions to engage with Indigenous members and Indigenous communities

June 14, 2024
Building Trust, Becoming Allies: Practical ways for USW local unions to engage with Indigenous members and Indigenous communities

2SLGBTQIA+ glossary: list of definitions 

Research & Publications
April 23, 2024
2SLGBTQIA+ glossary: list of definitions