We are writing to support you in your struggle.
We are standing with you to draw attention and demand action to stop senseless extreme violence against black people and people of colour in our society.
Andrew Loku’s life mattered, as do the lives of so many others, many of whom we never hear about at all. Until now.
Thanks to the work of Black Lives Matter, we are learning the shocking details of Andrew Loku’s murder and other incidents of excessive police violence targeting black people and people of colour.
The USW condemns the actions of Toronto police, violently disrupting BLMTO’s peaceful protest on March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The USW’s 2016 statement for March 21 reads “On March 21, 1960, in a town called Sharpeville in South Africa, 69 people were killed by police while peacefully demonstrating against the repression of apartheid. As a result of these deaths, the UN began a long-term initiative to end racial discrimination in all forms, including establishing March 21 of each year as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
“Steelworkers celebrate this anniversary with other organizations and social justice allies. Along with this international celebration, we must also understand our role in combatting racism in Canada.”
The USW calls on City of Toronto Mayor John Tory, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne to meet with Black Lives Matter Toronto to agree to BLMTO’s stated demands.
The United Steelworkers are allies in your struggle. We stand with you to defeat racism everywhere.
In solidarity,
Tomorrow is Election Day in British Columbia and there’s too much at stake for Steelworkers to sit this one out. Across our province, working families are facing real challenges. Forestry communities are fighting to protect jobs and keep mills running. Mining workers need stronger safety protections and training. Canadian jobs are threatened by outsourcing, and […]
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 […]
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