As we gather with loved ones, let’s take a moment to reflect on how our union solidarity has helped us in 2022. We also take our hats off to the many Steelworkers who are essential workers taking shifts through the holidays.
As a union, 2022 was a very successful year for the Steelworkers. Thousands more workers have voted “Union Yes” and joined the USW to be able to negotiate better wages and conditions, have a real voice at work and gain access to a legally backed process for resolving disputes with employers.
In March, I was honoured to be sworn in as National Director, alongside Scott Lunny, the new District 3 Director and Myles Sullivan, the new District 6 Director, with the continuing leadership of District 5 Director Dominic Lemieux. Together, we are emboldened for the future.
Our political partners are putting workers first through better laws, like single-step certification in B.C., also known as card-check, that is making it easier for workers to form and join unions. We are also working hard on pension protections and anti-scab laws which would help equal the playing field by banning the use of replacement workers in labour disputes.
We are bargaining in better times – after almost three years living through the COVID-19 pandemic, elected bargaining committees are negotiating strong collective agreements with multi-year wage increases at rates not seen for decades. We will continue to work together to demand more for our members in these times of record inflation.
It has been energizing to see Steelworkers meet in person again, including at our successful USW International Convention in Las Vegas, the National Indigenous Gathering in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., the National Women’s Conference in Quebec City, the Annual General Assembly in Rivière-du-Loup, Que., a number of local union leadership meetings and many lobby days in different parts of the country. I’m looking forward to meeting USW activists from across Canada in Toronto next April for our USW National Policy Conference.
At this time of year, I’m always so proud of how much our members help those in need in their communities by supporting food banks and many other local organizations through USW local unions and the Steelworkers Humanity Fund.
From helping workers join our union, negotiating strong collective agreements, to being a beacon for social justice, human rights and equality for all, I am proud of our union’s work. I am grateful for all you do for your union family.
Best wishes to you and yours for the holidays.
In solidarity,
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