In the labour movement, solidarity isn’t just a slogan – it’s a lifeline. For injured workers across District 6, the United Steelworkers’ Injured Workers Assistance Program (IWAP) is the embodiment of that lifeline.
Launched in 2009 as a formal district-wide initiative, IWAP was built from the ground up by union members who saw the urgent need for expert, accessible support for those navigating the confusing and often unjust world of workers’ compensation.
What started with a few committed individuals – like Jim Pasel in Niagara and other early advocates – has grown into a robust and responsive program serving over 4,000 members and counting. Today, more than 90% of locals in District 6 participate, benefitting from a network of 19 trained service reps who offer guidance, support and representation through every stage of the WSIB process.
But IWAP is more than just a service. It reflects our core values as Steelworkers: no one should face injury, illness or injustice alone. This program lives and breathes the spirit of solidarity, providing technical expertise, emotional support, mentorship and advocacy when it matters most. Representatives work evenings and weekends, walking with members through appeals, tribunals and return-to-work processes. The work is deeply personal, and the stakes are high – lost earnings, denied claims and, in some cases, life-threatening illnesses like occupational cancers.
In a system where injured workers are too often treated as numbers, IWAP reminds us that every member matters. Through collective strength, we’ve built a program that stands up to the system and demands justice for not just one member but all.
Even our structure reflects solidarity. IWAP is funded by locals contributing just 50 cents per member per month – a small investment in a program that delivers life-changing results. By fostering peer-to-peer training, mentoring and resource sharing, IWAP ensures that its strength grows with every new representation and every new case.
As we look ahead, the need for programs like IWAP is only growing. But with solidarity as our foundation, we’ll continue to fight, support and win – together.
For more information or to enrol your local, visit https://usw.ca/iwap or contact Program Co-ordinator Jim Pasel at injuredsteelworkers@live.ca
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