United Steelworkers members will join fellow workers in communities across Canada this Labour Day to recognize our many achievements as a movement, to reaffirm our values and principles and recommit to fighting for a better future for all.
For generations – since the founding of our union – Steelworkers have played a leading role in the labour movement’s ability to effect positive change in the lives of working people and families throughout our society. Through our collective action – at our bargaining tables and in our workplaces, communities, courts and legislatures – we have driven progress on workers’ rights and economic, social and environmental justice issues.
As we come together this Labour Day, we also recognize that the USW’s proud tradition as an activist union and our strong record of political advocacy for workers’ rights and social justice are needed like never before.
An unjustified, nonsensical trade war launched by U.S. President Donald Trump against Canada has plunged our country, our workers and our communities into a crisis not seen in our lifetimes.
The Trump administration has levied widespread tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S., including massive tariffs aimed at quashing our key industries such as steel, aluminum, softwood lumber and auto manufacturing. The tariffs have destabilized the deeply integrated supply chains between the two countries, led to thousands of job losses and further threaten the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Canadian families.
Steelworkers are taking a leading role in fighting back against Trump’s trade war, advocating – successfully on several fronts – for crucial and long-overdue measures and investments from our governments to diversify and strengthen our economy, defend our key industries, protect jobs and support workers.
However, further action is needed, and we are urging governments to take more decisive and immediate measures, including greater supports for affected workers and further investments to protect jobs and industries. Our governments also must be ready to take smart, targeted retaliatory measures in this trade war and remain steadfast until we can secure the right deal for the Canadian economy and Canadian workers.
On this Labour Day, Steelworkers also can be proud that we have fought for – and won – a lot!
Our local unions across Canada, representing workers in virtually all sectors of the economy, from heavy industry and manufacturing to health care, child care and education, to transportation and telecommunications, and to the retail, food and service sectors, have continued to negotiate industry-leading collective agreements. These bargaining successes not only benefit our members, their families and communities, they help raise the bar for better wages and working conditions for all Canadians.
Rank-and-file Steelworkers also continue to demonstrate that, when necessary, they are willing to stand up to even the largest corporations and take strike action to defend past gains and win the improvements that they have earned. These courageous Steelworkers include:
Steelworkers know that collective bargaining and the right to strike are fundamental, constitutionally protected rights in our country. We know that the best way to improve our working and living standards – and to build strong communities – is through hard bargaining to secure good collective agreements with employers.
The USW always stands shoulder-to-shoulder with any group of workers whose constitutional rights are being undermined by employers or governments. Most recently, Steelworkers and unions across the country rallied in solidarity with flight attendants on strike at Air Canada who defied the federal government’s shameful attempt to attack their constitutional rights and order them back to work.
This courageous stand quickly led to a breakthrough tentative agreement, marking a historic victory for the flight attendants, the labour movement and all workers.
The USW’s renowned political advocacy, which draws its strength from our union’s grassroots activists across the country, has recently contributed to other historic victories that will literally benefit millions of Canadians.
Steelworkers, the labour movement and our political allies played key roles in finally securing a federal anti-scab law, which came into effect in June, after a decades-long fight. The legislation marks a major turning point for labour rights in our country, as federally regulated workers now have greater protection during strikes and lockouts.
The USW and broader labour movement also helped elect a pro-worker, New Democratic government in Manitoba which subsequently passed the strongest card check and anti-scab law in Canada, making it easier for workers to join a union and restoring balance at the bargaining table.
These victories bring to four the number of jurisdictions in Canda with card check and anti-scab laws – Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba and the federal government. And Steelworkers will continue to fight relentlessly for such legislation in every province and territory.
Years of dogged activism by Steelworkers, the labour movement and our progressive allies have also contributed to several other recent legislative breakthroughs to make life better for workers and families, including:
USW members can also take pride in the fact that, when faced with daunting challenges and setbacks on important issues, we do not abandon the cause. We regroup and recommit to the fight against government austerity, anti-worker legislation, corporate greed and attacks on our hard-earned gains and rights that have improved the lives of all working people.
Steelworkers are waging such battles across the country, including in Quebec, where the entire labour movement is fighting back against the conservative CAQ government’s Bill 89, which aims to weaken workers’ rights, particularly the right to strike. Unions have vowed legal challenges of the bill, adamant that it violates the Canadian and Quebec constitutions.
The USW has also revamped our national campaign, Stop the Killing, Enforce the Law, to reinforce the Westray Law. We are ramping up our activism to demand that our governments adopt specific and meaningful measures to hold employers accountable for negligence and to prevent workplace fatalities and injuries.
On this Labour Day, we can rightfully celebrate our victories while also recognizing the very real crisis facing our country.
Steelworkers across Canada are ready to confront the challenges ahead, knowing that they also present an opportunity to transform and build an economy that is more resilient, more fair and less dependent on the political hazards of our trading partners. Steelworkers are ready to mobilize in solidarity with our allies to defend Canadian workers and communities and to advance real solutions to build a sustainable economic future. This is what we do and have always done.
Have a safe and enjoyable Labour Day.
In solidarity,
Marty Warren
USW National Director
Scott Lunny
USW District 3 Director (Western Canada and the Territories)
Nicolas Lapierre
USW District 5 Director (Quebec)
Kevon Stewart
USW District 6 Director (Ontario and Atlantic Canada)
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