The latest news - USW Canada

The United Steelworkers union demands Canadian materials for high-speed rail project amid U.S. tariff threats

February 19, 2025 | Media Releases

OTTAWA – The United Steelworkers union (USW) is urging the Government of Canada to prioritize Canadian-made materials in the construction of the newly announced high-speed rail network connecting Toronto and Quebec City. While the project is presented as a transformative infrastructure investment with potential to drive economic growth, job creation, and environmental progress, USW leaders […]

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 […]

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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 […]

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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, […]

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District 5 update: Standing up for migrant workers

February 14, 2025 | News Articles

In a report published this summer, United Nations’ Special Rapporteur Tomoya Obokata denounced Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), likening it to modern-day slavery. He also called for better access to permanent residency (which leads to citizenship) for migrant workers. These migrant workers are increasingly numerous among our members in USW locals, factories, hotels and […]

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District 3 update: Better Work for Everybody!

February 14, 2025 | News Articles

That was the theme of the recent District 3 Conference. Over 300 USW members, activists, staff and guests came together in Winnipeg from Oct. 28-31. It was a great success — melding speeches, panels, workshops, social functions, caucuses, committee meetings and even some labour history and trivia! Better Work for Everybody is a demand and […]

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USW National Health, Safety, Environment and Human Rights Conference

February 13, 2025 | News Articles

Hundreds of USW delegates gathered in Gatineau,Que., in October for the USW National health safety, environment and human rights conference, known as Justice 2024. The conference started with a moving blessing by Claudette Commanda, an Algonquin Elder, Indigenous rights activist and University of Ottawa Chancellor. “Without justice, will there be healing, will there be equity? […]

Workplace profiles

February 13, 2025 | News Articles

Steelworkers in Forestry Brandon NicholsonBFP Technician, WeyerhaeuserUSW Local 1-184, Prince Albert, Sask. For Brandon, forestry isn’t just a career – it’s a family legacy. His great-great-grandfather’s work in local mills set the stage for generations of his family in the forestry industry. Growing up, Brandon saw forestry as one of the few stable, rewarding career […]

Protecting jobs and strengthening rights: recent Steelworker legislative successes

February 12, 2025 | News Articles

At the time of writing, the House of Commons has been paralyzed by the tactics of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party’s tactics to force an early election. This period is also marked by greater instability. While the Liberal-NDP deal is now a thing of the past, despite the political turbulence, the last few […]

Steelworkers Vote contributes to NDP victories in B.C. and Saskatchewan

February 12, 2025 | News Articles

Recent elections in British Columbia and Saskatchewan saw the NDP hold onto power in B.C. and dramatically add to its seat count in Saskatchewan. Steelworkers participated in both elections through our Steelworkers Vote political action program. In B.C., where Premier David Eby and the BC NDP won re-election, the USW held Steelworkers Vote election schools […]

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National Policy Conference resolutions: shaping our future

February 11, 2025 | News Articles

At the 55th USW National Policy Conference in Toronto in April 2023, Steelworkers activists from across the country adopted dozens of resolutions to shape our union’s policies for improving the working and living standards of our members and all workers. Following the conference, USW leaders, staff and activists have been working diligently to implement these […]

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Get reimbursed for family care expenses

February 11, 2025 | News Articles

You would think that Sean Staddon is too busy to be involved in the union. He and his wife both work full-time and have two kids, aged seven and nine, both with autism. Yet Sean is Co-chair of the USW District 6 Political Action Committee (PAC), Chair of the Local 6500 PAC, a Guard on […]

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United Steelworkers Canada Black History Month statement

February 10, 2025 | Statements

The United Steelworkers union shares this year’s Black History Month’s Canadian theme: Black legacy and leadership: Celebrating Canadian history and uplifting future generations. The Steelworkers union has benefited from the contributions of Black rank-and-file members, retirees and staff, as well as the USW National Anti-Racism Committee, which advises the union on anti-racism work and initiatives. […]

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Defending Canada’s industry, jobs and communities

February 10, 2025 | News Articles

In early June, over 60 delegates from USW steel industry locals gathered in Ottawa for the Stand Up for Steel Conference. This event brought together Steelworkers from across the country to share the issues they face in their workplaces and to advocate for policies that protect Canadian steel jobs, defend the domestic industry and strengthen […]

Building knowledge and union strength

February 10, 2025 | News Articles

The United Steelworkers union schools have a rich legacy of learning and empowerment. Each year, members and facilitators gather to exchange skills and experiences, strengthening both their knowledge and commitment to union values. These schools build a network of informed members, equipped to educate and mobilize others within their locals. “We work hard to make […]

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United Steelworkers union condemns Trump’s reckless tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum

February 10, 2025 | Media Releases

"We’ve been through this before and we know these kinds of reckless trade measures don’t work, and hurt workers, destabilize industries and create uncertainty across the economy on both sides of the border."

Sisters in solidarity

February 7, 2025 | News Articles

USW delegation strengthens ties with South American workers The Steelworkers Humanity Fund’s Women’s Delegation to South America had an opportunity to foster solidarity and learning among union women from three countries. The delegation, which included three Canadian USW delegates, travelled to Lima, Peru and La Paz, Bolivia, to engage with unions, labour federations and women’s […]

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Steelworkers change the world: the 60th Annual Assembly in Quebec

February 7, 2025 | News Articles

The 60th Annual Assembly of District 5 Steelworkers, held from Nov. 20-22, 2024, in Jonquière, Que., brought together more than 500 delegates, staff and guests from across Quebec under the theme “Steelworkers Change the World.” The event celebrated decades of solidarity, struggles and victories, while highlighting current issues facing workers. Inspiring speeches by Dominic Lemieux, […]