Latest News

Steelworkers celebrate new anti-scab legislation

November 9, 2023

Union ready to fight to improve bill and make it law – November 9, 2023

OTTAWA – The new federal anti-scab legislation marks another victory for workers coming out of the New Democrats’ supply and confidence agreement with the government. Banning the use of replacement workers in the event of a strike or lockout has long been a priority demand for the United Steelworkers union (USW) and the rest of organized labour because it brings greater fairness to labour relations across the country.

“Steelworkers have been part of the fight for anti-scab legislation for decades,” said USW National Director Marty Warren. “Today’s bill is not perfect, but it’s a big step in the right direction and proves the work we’ve been doing is delivering results.”

Federal anti-scab legislation will help 80,000 USW members and approximately one million workers across Canada. In its 2022 supply and confidence agreement with the federal government, the NDP made the tabling of anti-scab legislation a priority.

Experience shows that bans on replacement workers improve labour relations, reduce the number and length of conflicts and lead to better working and living standards for workers. Laws banning replacement workers already exist in British Columbia (since 1993) and Quebec (since 1977), where there has been a reduction in days lost due to strikes or lockouts and an increase in workplace stability, which is good for employers as well as workers.

“We’re happy the Liberal government has gotten on board with this important legislation, but the work is not over. Now that the bill has been tabled, we’re not going to let up,” said Warren. “We need changes to this legislation to scrap unnecessary delays in implementing it and close big Liberal loopholes that would still permit many types of scab labour.”

The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.

Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of our strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions.

*****

For more information, please contact:
Marty Warren, USW National Director for Canada, 416-544-5951
George Soule, USW Communications, 306-531-9112, gsoule@usw.ca

Join our newsletter

Recent news

Image for USW National Director Marty Warren congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney, calls for immediate action on worker protections, industrial policy and trade

USW National Director Marty Warren congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney, calls for immediate action on worker protections, industrial policy and trade

March 14, 2025 | Media Releases

United Steelworkers union Canadian National Director Marty Warren issued the following statement: “On behalf of the 225,000 members of the United Steelworkers union across Canada, I want to congratulate Mark Carney on becoming the 24th Prime Minister of Canada. Workers across the country are looking to this newly appointed government to stand up for them, […]

Read More
Click to read the article about USW National Director Marty Warren congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney, calls for immediate action on worker protections, industrial policy and trade
A group of women working in a garment factory.

Abject failure: Canada’s would-be human rights watchdog leaves Bangladeshi garment workers languishing in poverty

March 12, 2025 | Statements

In many Bangladeshi garment factories, the women and men who make clothes for export around the globe endure gruelling schedules – six days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day. But no matter how long and hard they work, their wages are so low, these workers cannot escape poverty.  The appalling working and living […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Abject failure: Canada’s would-be human rights watchdog leaves Bangladeshi garment workers languishing in poverty
Image for United Steelworkers union vows to fight back as Trump’s trade war now targets steel and aluminum jobs

United Steelworkers union vows to fight back as Trump’s trade war now targets steel and aluminum jobs

March 11, 2025 | Media Releases

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 […]

Read More
Click to read the article about United Steelworkers union vows to fight back as Trump’s trade war now targets steel and aluminum jobs