(PITTSBURGH) – Leo W. Gerard, who led the United Steelworkers (USW) as the union’s international president for more than 18 years, died on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025.
Gerard, who retired in July 2019 as the longest-tenured president in the USW’s history, served the union in numerous leadership roles throughout a career spanning more than 50 years, which began at the age of 18 at a nickel smelter in his hometown of Sudbury, Ontario.
“Leo Gerard spent his entire life fighting for workers across the world, and his impact on the USW, and the global labor movement, has been immeasurable,” said USW International President David McCall. “He inspired countless other workers to carry on the fight for justice and fairness. He will be missed, but we intend to honor his legacy by continuing that work.”
Gerard served as a USW staff representative, district director, national director of Canada, and secretary-treasurer before his election as international president in 2001.
Throughout his tenure, Gerard sought to grow the union through organizing new workers, orchestrating mergers with other labor organizations, and building strategic alliances with allies across North America and around the world.
Gerard oversaw the USW’s 2005 merger with the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) – which made the USW the largest industrial union in North America – and was instrumental in the formation of the Blue-Green Alliance, a powerful labor-environmental partnership, in 2006.
He championed international cooperation among labor organizations, building relationships with unions in Mexico, Europe, South America and elsewhere. His leadership helped to establish the IndustriALL Global Union, which represents 50 million workers in 140 countries in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors.
“Leo was a visionary leader, determined and fearless in taking on corporations and lawmakers alike,” said USW Canadian National Director Marty Warren. “He spent his career building power for workers so that everyone could have safer jobs, better pay, retirement security and respect on the job. As a proud Canadian, he never wavered from his values, and his life’s work will live on for generations.”
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
KAMLOOPS, B.C. – United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 7619 has issued 72-hour strike notice to Teck’s Highland Valley Copper (HVC) operation near Logan Lake, B.C., following unsuccessful negotiations to reach a fair collective agreement. The notice was served Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m., with the union preparing for potential strike action if an agreement […]
The jobs of thousands of USW members have been plunged into uncertainty due to U.S. tariffs, outsourcing and offshoring. In 2025, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) has supported initiatives that help build union-to-union solidarity, which is critical to ensuring workers have a voice. Over the years, the USW has supported the efforts of the Mexican […]
Scott Lunny, United Steelworkers Director for Western Canada, released the following statement following the Alberta referendum vote: “Albertans have made their voices heard. They want to remain part of a strong, united Canada. Now it’s time to put division behind us and get back to work building a better future for working families. “It’s time […]