The latest news - USW Canada

Steelworkers mourn the death of Nutrien potash mine worker in Rocanville, Sask.

May 21, 2024 | Media Releases

The United Steelworkers union (USW) announced with great sadness the fatality of a member working at the Nutrien potash mine in Rocanville, Sask. on Sunday. The potash mine facility, located approximately 250 kilometres east of Regina, has been temporarily closed. The name of the member has not been released. The USW extends heartfelt condolences to […]

Bill 25 and “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement a major step forward: Steelworkers

May 16, 2024 | Media Releases

The United Steelworkers union (USW) District 3 is committed to reconciliation with B.C. First Nations and supports Bill 25, Haida Nation Recognition Amendment Act, 2024. The “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement is a major step forward. “We acknowledge our role in addressing the legacy of colonialism and we support the B.C. government doing the […]

Canfor’s decision to not invest in Houston: a political move or economics?

May 15, 2024 | District 3 memo

To: BC Local Unions, BC Staff From: Scott Lunny, Jeff Bromley Last week, forestry company Canfor announced it was reneging on the corporation’s commitment to rebuild sawmill operations in Houston, BC. Canfor also took the opportunity to announce that the indefinite closure of Polar Sawmill in Bear Lake, BC, was now permanent and that hundreds […]

D3 pop-up shop

May 14, 2024 | District 3 memo

USW District 3 has partnered with One Movement Threads to launch our USW District 3 pop-up shop. Local unions and members can explore our unique collection of limited-edition USW District 3 clothing, exclusively available for pre-order until July 1st. Pick your favourite USW D3 merch, check out easily and opt for shipping to your nearest […]

D3 education update – Spring 2024

May 10, 2024 | District 3 memo

To: USW Locals cc: USW District 3 staff From: Dayna Sykes, District 3 Education Coordinator Re: Education Update Dear Local Union Presidents, Congratulations to all of you on your elections. I know there are still a few locals that are still in it, but I wanted to provide a bit of an update on what […]

A graphic showing the monument of Westray Miners Memorial Park in the background, and text saying: 32 years since the Westray mine explosion. No more Westrays, May 9, 1992 - May 9, 2024

Westray Act failing slain workers 20 years after adoption

May 9, 2024 | Media Releases

TORONTO – On May 9, 1992, 26 workers at the Westray mine in Pictou County, N.S., tragically lost their lives in an underground explosion due to corporate negligence towards workplace health and safety. The United Steelworkers union reiterates its demands for the full application of the Westray Act, which may hold employers criminally responsible for […]

United Steelworkers union welcomes Winton Homes workers in Prince George

May 9, 2024 | Media Releases

United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-2017 is pleased to welcome over 30 workers from Winton Homes Ltd., part of the Sinclar Group Forest Products family in Prince George. These workers have been certified by the B.C. Labour Relations Board to become part of the USW. “We are thrilled to welcome our new members from Winton […]

IWA Online Archive – Western Canadian Lumberworker Newspaper, 1960-1980

May 7, 2024 | District 3 memo

To: All BC Staff, All BC Local Unions From: Scott Lunny, Director Re: IWA Online Archive – Western Canadian Lumberworker Newspaper, 1960-1980 On Friday, April 26, the Kaatza Museum IWA Archives announced the creation of a new online archive of IWA history on the British Columbia History Digitization Program platform called ARCA. The new ARCA […]

CN Rail workers across Canada ratify new, three-year contract

May 2, 2024 | News Articles

A three-year collective agreement with CN Rail has been ratified by 3,000 members of the United Steelworkers union (USW) who maintain railway infrastructure across Canada. “This is a fair contract that recognizes the crucial work our members perform every day to ensure CN Rail’s success and that contributes significantly to the economic prosperity of communities […]

Graphic with Asian patterns in the background and text saying Asian Heritage Month

Recognizing Asian Heritage Month – May

May 1, 2024 | Statements

The month of May is Asian Heritage Month, honouring the lives and contributions of people of Asian origin here in Canada. This includes all those who have immigrated from East Asia, Southern Asia, Western, Central and Southeast Asia. Asian and South Asian Canadians are proud members of the labour movement, including leaders and members within […]

Steelworkers Vote 2024 – B.C. and Saskatchewan elections

April 29, 2024 | District 3 memo

To: District 3 locals, District 3 staff and support staff From: Scott Lunny, Director Re: Steelworkers Vote 2024 – B.C. and Saskatchewan elections Dear locals, This past year, Steelworkers played an important role in electing Wab Kinew as the Premier of Manitoba, winning two by-elections in Saskatchewan and helping elect the largest NDP opposition caucus […]

Striking Hudson’s Bay workers mobilize nationwide campaign to end strike and secure fair deal

April 26, 2024 | Media Releases

Workers of the Hudson’s Bay in Kamloops, B.C., have escalated their efforts to end the ongoing strike that began on Dec. 10, 2023. In a bold move, members of the United Steelworkers union (USW) have launched a nationwide campaign targeting customers during Bay Days, urging them to support their cause and put pressure on management […]

Tragic loss of CN Rail worker mourned by United Steelworkers union

April 25, 2024 | Media Releases

The United Steelworkers union (USW) announces with heavy hearts the tragic passing of 36-year old Juver Balmores, two days ago on April 23. Balmores, a dedicated worker at CN Rail and member of USW Local 2004, was involved in a fatal head-on collision near Clearwater, B.C., leaving behind a loving wife and three young children. […]

A vacant land full with grass and surrounded by buildings.

Eleven years after the Rana Plaza factory collapse, Canada’s unions honour victims and continue demands to improve conditions for workers

April 24, 2024 | Statements

April 24, 2024, marks 11 years since the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This terrible and avoidable tragedy killed more than 1,134 workers and injured more than 2,600, unveiling the horrific conditions of work for millions of workers in an unregulated industry, not only in Bangladesh but in dozens of other countries as well.

A graphic with a black background. There is a lot candle in the middle and white text above it sayong

Safe work now! A call to action for April 28, the National Day of Mourning

April 23, 2024 | Statements

Every year on April 28 we gather to commemorate the National Day of Mourning. This day marks the day in 1914 the first Workers’ Compensation Act was adopted. We gather to mourn for the dead and to fight for the living. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Elliot Lake wildcat strike, where uranium miners […]

District 3 2024 membership priorities survey

April 22, 2024 | District 3 memo

Date: April 22, 2024 To: All District 3 Local Unions, District 3 staff and support staff From: Scott Lunny, Director Re: 2024 membership priorities survey Dear locals, Building off our membership survey in 2022, we are launching our next member priorities survey. For this project, we will be working with a USW-represented company, Stratcom, to […]

United Steelworkers union urges swift action on unaddressed workers’ rights issues in Budget 2024 

April 16, 2024 | Media Releases

Crucial workers’ rights issues unaddressed in federal budget.

Workings from Parsons Inc holding a USW flag under the Northern Lights

Yukon workers at Parsons Inc. in Faro join the United Steelworkers union

April 12, 2024 | Media Releases

WHITEHORSE, YT – With the support of the United Steelworkers union (USW) and the Yukon Federation of Labour, workers at Parsons Inc. at the Faro Rehabilitation Mine Project have been certified by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to join the USW. The workers are set to begin the process of negotiating for better working conditions, […]