2020 has been a momentous year on the part of Turtle Island we call Canada.
It began with open conflict on Wet’suwet’en land that raised important issues of land sovereignty and traditional forms of leadership.
And then came COVID-19. The pandemic has renewed concerns about sub-standard health services in many Indigenous communities and race-based barriers to health care. It’s also the reason given for a delay in the federal government’s plan to implement recommendations from the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. And within the USW, the pandemic resulted in the postponement of the National Gathering for Indigenous Steelworkers.
Let’s mark June 21, National Indigenous People’s Day, by committing to keep issues of key concern to Indigenous peoples at the top of Canada’s political agenda during and after the pandemic. Since early March, look what Canadians have accomplished when we pull together to address a critical problem like COVID-19. Imagine what we could do if we directed that kind of energy to undoing the harm of colonialism. The work of reconciliation has just started.
In solidarity,
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 […]