Over three days last week, 500 Syndicat des Métallos/United Steelworkers activists from across Quebec engaged in broad analysis of crucial economic and political issues, participated in powerful educational activities and passionately debated resolutions aimed at confronting historic threats facing their union, all workers and their communities.
The Quebec Steelworkers activists emerged from their 61st Annual Assembly, held Nov. 23-25 in Laval, energized and committed to resisting unprecedented attacks on workers by the conservative CAQ government, and to continue the fight against a senseless trade war waged by the U.S. President.
“A fierce, head-on attack is being unleashed on Quebec workers,” USW Quebec Director Nicolas Lapierre said at the assembly’s outset. “The goal is clear: to silence democratic institutions that provide checks and balances, to muzzle the voices of workers and to suppress the union movement in Quebec.”
The CAQ government is intent on ramming through legislation, such as Bill 3, that aims to decimate workers’ rights and impede the ability of unions to represent and defend the interests of their members, Lapierre said.
If passed, Bill 3 will force unions to spend up to 25% of their dues’ revenue to pay external accounting firms to conduct audits of their finances. The legislation ignores the democratic processes and existing oversight within unions that already ensure accountability over their finances. The intent is to impose an unnecessary and untenable financial burden, particularly on small unions.
Quebec Steelworkers embraced the call to action from their Annual Assembly, the theme of which was “DEBOUT contre les attaques antitravailleur.euse.s!” (STAND UP against the attacks on workers!). The USW is joining the entire Quebec labour movement in fighting the CAQ government’s draconian legislation, Lapierre said.
USW members will be among thousands of union members and allies expected at a massive demonstration against the CAQ government on Nov. 29, in downtown Montreal, he noted.
“The government is refusing to hear us in parliamentary committee while it carries out this unprecedented anti-worker demolition project in Quebec. Never mind, the Steelworkers will make themselves heard and will STAND UP, in the streets!” Lapierre said.
“The Quebec economy is under attack from unfair U.S. tariff policies, we are fighting to preserve our jobs, and the CAQ government can think of nothing better to do than weaken the organizations that defend workers. We still believe that a government that respects workers knows how to work collaboratively with the organizations that represent workers, but clearly, that won’t be possible with this government.”
At their Annual Assembly, Quebec Steelworkers engaged in a comprehensive assessment of the CAQ government’s anti-worker legislation. They also mapped out strategies to organize a co-ordinated labour movement response against the legislation.
Delegates heard from experts including economist and political scientist Simon Tremblay-Pepin who broke down the government’s anti-worker, anti-democratic, pro-corporate objectives, as well as from Quebec Federation of Labour (FTQ) representative Magali Giroux who delivered a presentation on union mobilization strategies.
Guest speakers included USW International President-Elect Roxanne Brown, USW International Secretary-Treasurer Myles Sullivan, USW National Director for Canada Marty Warren and FTQ President Magali Picard.
Brown, who officially takes office as USW International President next March, delivered a powerful address to members, encouraging and praising their resistance to the Quebec government’s authoritarian assault on workers.
“Don’t touch our rights, don’t touch our unions! We have strength in numbers – let’s never forget that … STAND UP!”
Warren praised Quebec Steelworkers for waging a struggle on behalf of workers across Canada.
“Your fellow Steelworkers across our country appreciate the critical fight you are now leading, against the Quebec government’s anti-union, anti-worker, and anti-democratic agenda,” he said.
“This destructive agenda is the agenda that right-wing governments everywhere want to impose. This means the fight you are leading is a fight for all workers. On behalf of all our members, I want to say that we’re proud and inspired by your determination and your commitment to stand up, and never, never back down.”
Click here to view photo galleries from the USW Quebec Annual Assembly. To view videos, resolutions and other documents and information from the Assembly, please click here.
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