It brings our union great sadness to advise that former District 6 Director Harry Hynd passed away on December 29 in Hamilton, with his beloved wife Margaret at his side. Harry was 87 and had been struggling with his health for many years.
Harry’s union career began in 1951, in the Scottish coal mines with his early membership in the National Union of Mineworkers where he was a steward. He immigrated to Canada in 1957. In 1958 he was hired on at Stelco in Hamilton where he became an active member of Local 1005 as plant grievance chairperson. In 1971, he joined the Steelworkers Staff, where he served members in Hamilton, the Niagara Peninsula and Toronto.
Harry served as the Assistant to the District 6 Director, Leo Gerard, and in 1989 President Lynn Williams assigned Harry to serve as an interim Director of District 3 after Len Stevens became ill. Harry became District 6 Director in 1991, when Leo became Canadian National Director. Harry’s reputation was always as a skilled negotiator and troubleshooter, skills that added to his leadership throughout his years as director. Following his 1991 appointment, he was elected to a full term in 1993 and again in 1997. He retired at the end of that term in March 2002.
Harry continued to serve the Union as a SOAR Vice President from 2005 until 2019, when Harry was appointed SOAR Vice President Emeritus for his contributions to SOAR and his many years of service to our Union.
Throughout his life, Harry was an active and proud New Democrat. No matter the challenges he faced, Harry was always a trade unionist of great character and integrity, a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed. In addition to his wife Margaret, Harry leaves behind two daughters and three granddaughters.
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