Steelworkers change the world

Syndicat des Métallos/United Steelworkers union activists from across Quebec gather for 60^th annual general assembly

SAGUENAY, Que. – More than 500 members of the Syndicat des Métallos/United Steelworkers union from across Quebec are gathered at the Centre des congrès de Saguenay for their 60^th annual general assembly, under the theme “Être métallos, ça change le monde (Steelworkers change the world).” The three-day assembly begins this afternoon.

Present in Quebec as early as 1936, the Steelworkers union was officially created in 1942. Members of the Syndicat des Métallos from across Quebec held their first annual general assembly in 1965, through the leadership and initiative of the union’s first Quebec director, Jean Gérin-Lajoie. In doing so, Gérin-Lajoie brought to the fore a resolute Quebec identity within the union, which in the ensuing 60 years has become firmly entrenched in Quebec society and whose members have contributed significantly to improving working and living standards in every region of the province.

To mark this anniversary, a round-table discussion on Thursday will feature four former Quebec directors of the union – Clément Godbout, Michel Arsenault, Daniel Roy and Alain Croteau – who will reflect on Métallos history and discuss current and future challenges.

A presentation on Thursday by Université de Montréal industrial relations professors Patrice Jalette and Mélanie Laroche will examine the “Steelworkers Advantage” – how workers improve their lives through union representation and collective bargaining.

Also on Thursday, a compelling series of testimonials and videos will highlight six historic, successful campaigns and struggles led by the union to improve the lives of workers and their families and communities.

On Friday, Marc-Urbain Proulx, professor of regional economics at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, will discuss the role of unions in confronting challenges faced by people in the various regions of Quebec.

Prior to the beginning of proceedings on Friday, the Steelworkers Quebec Director, Dominic Lemieux, will hold a press briefing for journalists, at 8:30 a.m.

Annual general assembly schedule:

Wednesday, Nov. 20

• 2:00 p.m. – Meeting opens, address by Steelworkers Quebec Director Dominic Lemieux
• 5:00 p.m. – Address by Steelworkers Canadian Director Marty Warren

Thursday, Nov. 21

• 9:00 a.m. – Meeting opens9:15 a.m. – Round table discussion “From yesterday to tomorrow,” moderated by Claude Bergeron. Featuring former directors Clément Godbout, Michel Arsenault, Daniel Roy, Alain Croteau
• 11:00 a.m. – Temporary migrant workers in our workplaces
• 11:45 a.m. – Workplace health and safety reform: An update
• 2:00 p.m. – Address by Magali Picard, President of the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ)
• 3:00 p.m. – The Steelworkers Advantage, presentation Patrice Jalette and Mélanie Laroche, professors at the School of Industrial Relations, Université de Montréal
• 4:00 p.m. – Testimonials and videos – Changing the world, one issue at a time:
  • Two-tier wages, pensions, benefits
  • Protecting pensions
  • Health and safety for all
  • Glass recycling
  • Federal anti-scab legislation
  • A culture of solidarity

Friday, Nov. 22

• 8:30 a.m. – Press briefing, Jonquière room
• 9:30 a.m. – The role of unions in the face of new regional challenges, with Marc-Urbain Proulx, professor of regional economics at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC)
• Noon – Closing session

The Syndicat des Métallos/United Steelworkers union, affiliated to the FTQ, is the largest private-sector union in Quebec, representing more than 60,000 workers in all sectors of the economy.

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