One of the by-products of the COVID-19 pandemic is that all of a sudden people are paying attention to where things are actually manufactured. On Monday morning April 13, the lead headline on the CBC website was “Canada building its own PPE supply chain…in China.” As the Toronto Star noted in its April 7 editorial – “Canada Needs a New […]
Sisters and Brothers, Many events and activities that would otherwise be the normal work of the union have been suspended or postponed because of the global pandemic. However, we are hoping that we can all continue to prepare for the Day of Mourning in our respective communities, whether we are able to gather in ceremony […]
With each passing day, the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic is coming into sharper view. Cancelled events, shuttered offices, suspended classes—we are all affected. There is mounting pressure on families and communities, on Canada’s economy and the key support systems in place to protect us. Women are at the forefront of the crisis in their […]
As the global pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads around the world, the new normal is changing every day. The United Steelworkers union is reaching out to share information and resources. Many provinces are already asking people to stay home if they can and practise “social distancing” or “physical distancing” to limit the spread of the disease. […]
Opinion column by Ken Neumann If you were walking around the streets of most Canadian cities over the last few days, you could not escape the sound of silence – little traffic, shuttered stores and empty office buildings. That silence was, however, punctured by the ongoing sound of construction workers continuing to do their jobs […]
United Steelworker (USW) local unions representing Teck employees at three mines and the smelter operations in British Columbia support the latest measures by Teck Resources to ensure health and safety of employees and communities and to combat COVID-19. Teck Resources Limited announced a two-week reduction of its crews to 50% regular levels, at six operations, […]
For Full Details: Department of Finance Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html David McDonald Blog: http://behindthenumbers.ca/2020/03/18/what-to-make-of-the-federal-covid-19-aid-package/ On March 18, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced additional measures to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic: $27 billion in direct support to workers and businesses $55 billion in tax deferrals to meet liquidity needs of Canadian businesses and individuals $82 […]
With the recent announcement by the World Health Organization that the Corona Virus / COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic, it is recommended that local unions postpone or cancel any meetings that are scheduled to occur in the near future. For monthly local union meetings, please employ the discretion found in the constitution allowing locals […]
More than 200 trade union women, including a delegation of Steelworkers, traveled from their 60 home countries to Geneva, Switzerland, last fall for IndustriALL Global Union’s World Women’s Conference. Click here for a full report Pictured: USW Director of State and Regulatory Policy Anna Fendley, District 11 Assistant to the Director Cathy Drummond, District 1 Assistant […]
After their employer, Chartwell, stalled negotiations in a failed attempt to weaken their resolve, workers at two retirement facilities in Alberta have officially become USW members with their first ratified collective bargaining agreements. The two new units comprise approximately 200 members, who will join amalgamated Local 1-207, and include LPNs, activity aides, cooks, housekeepers, and […]
The USW Canadian Directors welcome Lily Chang to the Team Unite CLC slate and offer our endorsement of Lily’s candidacy for Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “Lily is a strong leader and communicator who values advocacy and member mobilization. With her years of experience as treasurer at a large CUPE local, she’s a […]
On the first anniversary of a mining disaster in Brazil which killed 250 workers, the United Steelworkers union continues its call to stop the killing and ensure proper enforcement of the law. Every year, more than 1,000 people in Canada are killed at work and it has long been an issue that police and prosecutors […]
USW leaders have thrown their support behind Bea Bruske and Siobhan Vipond for Canadian Labour Congress President and Executive Vice-President at the upcoming CLC Convention in Vancouver (May 4-8). “These two strong and experienced union leaders are stepping up to run for top roles at the CLC at the right time and for the right […]
A new report released in December showed that Ontario’s personal support workers are suffering from a chronically underfunded long-term care system. The report was based on roundtable discussions held in 2019, which included long-term care home directors, owners, administrators, PSWs, union reps, and other advocates. Short staffing in the industry has long been a problem […]
The union’s Health Care Workers Council strategized for the future of the union and the evolving industry in Pittsburgh last December, leaving the city with several action plans moving forward. Over the group’s two-day session, the activists reported on their districts’ work, including pushing legislators to pass the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and […]
Greetings, I’m writing to wish you a happy end of the year. With a little over a week left of 2019, I am reaching out to thank you for your efforts in building our union this year. From local union barbeques and anniversary events to rallies and picket lines, tens of thousands of USW members […]
Since 2015, the USW has partnered with the Jefferson Awards Foundation, recently renamed Multiplying Good, to celebrate Steelworkers who do amazing works of community service, and to show the world that Steelworkers have big hearts. The USW is proud to have generous and compassionate members who foster a culture of giving back in our union. […]
Winnipeg General Strike Musical Heads to Major Theatres May 15, 1919 might have started as a regular day in Winnipeg, but the six weeks that followed changed our country, and the world, forever. Over 30,000 workers participated in a what is now called the Winnipeg General Strike, walking off their jobs to protest massive unemployment, […]