TORONTO – The United Steelworkers union (USW) is denouncing the latest escalation in Donald Trump’s reckless trade war as the U.S. government imposes devastating 50% tariffs on U.S. imports of steel and aluminum from Canada. These measures, effective after midnight, threaten the existence of the Canadian steel industry and thousands of Canadian jobs, disrupt vital […]
As we commemorate International Women’s Day, we must acknowledge that for many Indigenous communities, this day is about celebrating achievements and recognizing the ongoing struggle for justice, safety and dignity. The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Gender-Diverse people (MMIWG2S+) extends beyond national borders – it is a global human rights […]
The United Steelworkers union (USW) is stepping up its fight against U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Canadian exports, calling them a reckless economic attack that threatens workers, their families and the communities that depend on the jobs under attack by the U.S. president. “These tariffs are a direct assault on Canadian workers and […]
KINGSTON, Ont. – After years of being overworked, underpaid and undervalued, members of the United Steelworkers union (USW) at Queen’s University are saying “enough is enough,” setting a strike deadline for Saturday, March 8, if a new collective agreement is not negotiated. “We are done waiting. Despite already cutting over 100 jobs and contributing to […]
A message from USW District 6 Director Kevon Stewart on the Ontario 2025 election
MONTREAL, BÉCANCOUR, Que. – Alubar, an aluminum rod manufacturer in the community of Bécancour, shut down its operations today, citing the imposition of U.S. tariffs as the direct cause. The United Steelworkers union (USW), representing 70 workers at the plant, is urging the Quebec and federal governments to swiftly deploy comprehensive action plans that include […]
TORONTO – United Steelworkers union (USW) National Director for Canada Marty Warren is blasting U.S. President Donald Trump’s reckless and unjustified tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S., calling them an economic attack on workers in both countries. “This is an all-out attack on Canadian workers, their families and the industries that keep our economy […]
TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Que. – With their workplaces under serious threat, local leaders of the United Steelworkers union (USW)/Syndicat des Métallos in Quebec met today with François-Philippe Champagne, federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, to call for a comprehensive, united Canadian response to looming U.S. tariffs. “We call on the governments of Quebec and Canada to […]
BURNABY, B.C. – For the second time this month, the United Steelworkers union (USW) is strongly condemning Telus’ latest wave of job cuts, as the company once again issues Voluntary Severance Packages (VSPs) to approximately 400 USW members nationwide. The affected employees work within Telus Business Solutions (TBS) and the Small-Medium Business 100 (SMB100) team, […]
Labour activism has long been a vehicle for change, and Black workers have played a critical role in shaping the movement. Ephrin Jenkins (E.J.), a leader in the United Steelworkers union’s (USW) District 7 and founder of the Black Labour Week Project, has dedicated his career to ensuring that activism remains relevant and inclusive, especially […]
The USW District 6 Human Rights Committee organized the Black History Month Workshop and Gala, a unifying event that brought together Black labour leaders, activists and allies for two powerful days of seminars focused on education, empowerment and action. While the Gala was an evening of celebration, the heart of the event lay in the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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? […]
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 […]