As this year draws to a close, I am drawing inspiration from the many members I have spoken to over this past year about their efforts in the union – bargaining committee members working to negotiate top notch agreements and resolve workplace issues, health and safety activists pushing for safer working conditions on the job and justice for injured workers, leaders and members developing meaningful approaches to reconciliation with Indigenous communities, including Indigenous Steelworkers, improving and supporting diversity, and facing climate change head-on.
Steelworkers are incredible and do important work for working people – I am reminded of that every day.
This past year, across every USW district in Canada, local union leaders, activists and staff have had the opportunity to come together to attend a district conference in District 3 or 6, or in the case of District 5, the Assemblée annuelle. I was thrilled to attend each of this district events and spend time with members in all Canadian districts.
On the legislative front, the union has been working hard too and had some important victories this year. We do this political work to make sure our members get what they need – to raise the floor when it comes to collective bargaining and make the economy and trade fairer too.
In late summer, the federal government announced it would finally impose tariffs on imported steel, aluminum and electric vehicles from China. Our union has been at the forefront calling for tariffs to combat unfair trade from low-cost jurisdictions where labour and environmental standards are very low.
We also were successful in winning two important pieces of legislation: first the Sustainable Jobs Act (Bill C-50), which ensures worker involvement and transparency in the creation of sustainable new jobs in areas right across the country.
Second, we won federal anti-scab legislation, which would ban the use of replacement workers in federally regulated workplaces (Bill C-58). The legislation comes into effect on June 1, 2025. Steelworker members have been involved in this fight for decades, because we know that when we go on strike or are locked out by the boss, it is bitterly unfair when replacement workers (scabs) are brought in. Particularly in small communities, the effects of that kind of dispute can last generations.
Friends, I want to thank you for your efforts on the job, in your union and in your community. As a union, we are proud to represent you and thank you for what you do.
I am wishing you and your loved ones a happy and safe winter holiday season. For those who celebrate it, I wish a merry Christmas, a joyous Kwanzaa and a happy Hanukkah.
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