The latest news - USW Canada

Quebec aluminum plant shuts down due to U.S. tariffs

March 4, 2025 | Media Releases

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 […]

The United Steelworkers union will not back down in the face of Trump’s economic attack on Canada

March 4, 2025 | Media Releases

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 […]

Steelworkers union calls for united front to counter U.S. tariffs

February 28, 2025 | Media Releases

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 […]

United Steelworkers union supports Saskatchewan NDP’s call for trade-enabling infrastructure investments

February 28, 2025 | Media Releases

REGINA – The United Steelworkers union (USW) strongly supports the Saskatchewan NDP’s call for massive investments in trade-enabling infrastructure to secure good jobs, boost the economy and expand market access for the province’s world-class exports. “We need serious investment in trade-enabling infrastructure to secure good jobs and a strong future for workers in Saskatchewan and […]

USW condemns latest round of job cuts at Telus

February 27, 2025 | Media Releases

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, […]

Empowering and inspiring the next generation in Black labour activism for the fight for inclusion

February 27, 2025 | News Articles

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 […]

Building momentum: Black History Month Workshop and Gala celebrate Black labour and solidarity

February 26, 2025 | News Articles

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 […]

Steelworkers denounce inadequate regulation following death of another road traffic control worker

February 25, 2025 | Media Releases

GATINEAU, Que. – United Steelworkers/Syndicat des Métallos Local 9005 is denouncing the lack of action by the Quebec government to protect road traffic control workers following a worker’s death yesterday afternoon in Gatineau. The worker was killed while performing road traffic control duties as part of a snow-removal operation following a massive winter storm. “We […]

Negotiations remain deadlocked for Steelworkers at Quebec ferry crossings

February 24, 2025 | Media Releases

Bargaining scheduled for today between United Steelworkers/Syndicat des Métallos members and the provincial agency that runs Quebec’s marine ferry services was cancelled due to the lack of a mandate for management to negotiate a settlement. Steelworkers Local 9599 represents workers who operate ferries on five crossings on the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers – Québec/Lévis, […]

How many more deaths before the Transport Minister intervenes?

February 19, 2025 | Media Releases

QUEBEC CITY – Dozens of road traffic control workers today held a symbolic funeral march outside the constituency office of provincial Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault in Quebec City. “Too many deaths, too much silence,” the workers chanted during the demonstration held in memory of 22 people road traffic control workers who have died in work-related […]

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 […]

A photo of group of people taking a photo in a park wearing winter clothes while smiling to the camera.

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 […]

a group of people sitting inside a white tent with white and bleu flag

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, […]

2 people standing in a workplace and shaking hands

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 […]