From May 11 to 16, USW District 6 members gathered in Collingwood, Ont., for Spring School 2025 – an annual week of union education and skills development. Hosted at Steelworkers Hotel, Living Water Resort, the event brought together members from across the District for in-depth training focused on strengthening locals and building worker power.
Each year, Spring School serves as more than just training – it’s vital to building power. This year’s offerings included Bargaining to win, Promoting mental health in the workplace, Stewards in action III: Grievances at final step and beyond, and Arbitration – Prepare and present. From learning how to write effective contract language to supporting members with mental health challenges, participants walked away with practical tools they’ll take back to their locals.
The week concluded with a moving graduation speech from Assistant to District 6 Director Charlie Scibetta. Reflecting on his early days of attending Spring School with the union, he shared: “What stayed with me from that experience wasn’t just the learning – it was the sense of solidarity and connection that comes from being in a space like this. It was the start of friendships that have lasted to this day. That’s why Spring School is so special. It’s more than a course – it’s a chance to build power, grow confidence and deepen our union values together.”
The spirit was echoed by participants like Laura Macartney (Local 1568), who described the experience as “empowering,” and Alborz Amouzgar (Local 8328), who called the Stewards in action III training “challenging but necessary.” Others like Lynn Losier (Local 9350) praised the mental health course for breaking stigma and sparking vital conversations.
Throughout the week, members participated in skill-building workshops, collaborated with peers and deepened their connection to the core values of the labour movement.
As Al Watson, Staff Representative for Toronto and Pickering and workshop facilitator, says, “Education is one of the strongest tools we have in the labour movement. When members understand their rights and how to fight for them, they become unstoppable.”
Spring School 2025 reminded us that solidarity grows stronger when we invest in each other, as does the labour movement.
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