The year 2022 saw a lot of action at the Steelworkers Humanity Fund, following two years marked by pandemic restrictions. Our partners around the world and in Canada were able to resume their in-person activities, often by maintaining virtual components that allowed them to reach an even greater number of participants. We have also seen important changes within the Fund itself, with the retirement of two individuals that contributed to making the Humanity Fund what it is today. They left behind big shoes to fill but also a richness and depth of connections with social justice activists around the world.
The worker exchanges that took place in 2022 reflected the strength of our partnerships and reminded us of the importance of human connections and face-to-face gatherings beyond our virtual work and digital engagement. Travelling to witness the daily reality of organizations that we support in Liberia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Mexico and India, Steelworkers from all over Canada learned about their local struggles and have become strong advocates for their work. Similarly, our partners attended key union events, such as the National Women’s Conference, held in Québec City, allowing them to gain a firsthand experience of Steelworkers in action.
It can be difficult to extricate ourselves from the business of our day-to-day lives. Steelworkers Humanity Fund delegations and exchanges allow us to reconnect with the common causes as workers, activists, and first and foremost, as human beings. By better understanding what brings us together, we are better equipped to defend each other’s rights, wherever we are and across borders. This annual report shows a glimpse of what we can achieve together.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
“It really is incredible what can happen when people work together. I firmly believe we are all stronger when we pull together, and my experience with Impala Canada and Covergalls is a perfect example of that."
The United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1944 is expressing concern over the ongoing payroll debacle at Telus, reflecting collective distress and frustration over the company’s recent implementation of a new payroll system. USW Local 1944 asserts that Telus has betrayed its workforce by subjecting them to eight weeks of widespread pay chaos, reminiscent of the […]
The year of 2023 marked an end to 18 years of service for Doug Olthuis as Department Leader of the Global Affairs Department and Executive Director of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund. Doug was the third and the longest serving director of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund. His visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and unique expertise paved the […]