The 60th Annual Assembly of District 5 Steelworkers, held from Nov. 20-22, 2024, in Jonquière, Que., brought together more than 500 delegates, staff and guests from across Quebec under the theme “Steelworkers Change the World.” The event celebrated decades of solidarity, struggles and victories, while highlighting current issues facing workers.
Inspiring speeches by Dominic Lemieux, District 5 Director, and Nicolas Lapierre, Assistant to the Quebec Director, set the tone for the assembly, followed by those of Marty Warren, National Director, and Magali Picard, President of the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (the Quebec Federation of Labour). These speeches all recalled the impact of the Steelworkers’ union actions on its members, their workplaces and their communities.
“Steelworkers change the world. Our history continues to be written today, in every battle we fight. You are, without realizing it, writing history in everything you do within our union,” said Nicolas Lapierre in his opening address to delegates.
“My first annual meeting was in 2002, after a strike at Stelco, which offered us a lower pension plan, because they said the cost of living was lower in Quebec. We went on strike for six months to get the same benefits. That’s when I got involved with the Steelworkers,” recalls Dominic Lemieux.
Among the highlights of the meeting was the “From Yesterday to Tomorrow” round table, featuring four former USW Quebec directors, which explored the history, evolution and actions of the union through the decades. Presentations provided food for thought, while poignant testimonials revisited six landmark union fights of the past decade.
The 60th Annual Meeting was a great success. It demonstrated the Steelworkers’ commitment to unity, resilience and solidarity, and confirmed their determination to continue changing the world.
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