District 3 News
NDP Triples Membership During Leadership Race
Congratulations to the leadership campaigns, activists and organizers who have been signing up NDP members to take part in the leadership vote.
Labour Day Message from USW District 3 Director Stephen Hunt
We are a family that looks out for another and fights together to build better communities and better lives for all.
USW Cares: Steelworkers Welcome Back Clinton, B.C. Community
USW Locals 1-417 and 7619 out of Kamloops, B.C. welcomed back Clinton residents after their wild fire evacuation order was lifted.
Steelworkers Contribute $100,000 to B.C. Fire Relief
"This support is possible thanks to contributions by thousands of USW members across Canada and the USW National and District offices." - Ken Neumann said.
Steelworkers Ratify Agreement at Highland Valley, Teck Must Rebuild Trust
“Teck’s attempts to turn the clock back have done tremendous harm to the relationship with their employees as well as the community.” - Stephen Hunt
Union ratifies contract with Teck Trail
Highlights include an eight per cent wage increase over five years and a $14,500 signing bonus.
USW in Mediation Over Impasse in Evraz Negotiations
With a productive, hard-working workforce, Evraz doesn't need to attack benefits and working conditions of Steelworkers.
Stop Log Exports; Invest in B.C.
In the wake of yet another closure of a B.C. sawmill due to lack of logs, the USW is seeking a fresh approach from the new B.C. government.
USW Telephone Town Hall with NDP Leadership Candidates
Listen in to our USW telephone town halls with Steelworkers asking their questions to Niki Ashton, Guy Caron and Jagmeet Singh.
USW Telephone Town Hall with NDP Leadership Candidates
Listen in to our USW Telephone Town Hall with NDP Leadership Candidates.
Imminent Labour Dispute Threatens Teck’s Profits
Teck is courting a potential labour dispute at its Highland Valley Copper mine that would have a significant impact on the company’s bottom line.
USW Cares: Kamloops Steelworkers Act Swiftly to Help B.C. Wildfires Evacuees
USW Applauds Alberta Premier Rachel Notley's NDP Government for Commitment to Fix Workers' Compensation Board
The United Steelworkers is applauding Premier Rachel Notley and her government for creating an opportunity to fix the broken workers' compensation system in Alberta.
Liberals’ Enthusiasm For China Trade Deal Should Raise Alarms
Since the Liberals were elected in 2015, concern has grown across the country over this government's behaviour on investment, trade and other issues regarding China. Opinion piece in the Huffington Post by USW National Director Ken Neumann.
From Awareness to Bargaining
USW Wins Domestic Violence Leave Provisions in Collective Agreements.
B.C. Steelworker Nancy McCurrach Wins Top Jefferson Award for Community Service
Nancy McCurrach of Port Coquitlam, B.C., has won a major North American community service award for her outstanding work in helping refugees.
Calgary Steelworkers Respond To Evraz Attacks With 100% Strike Vote
Calgary – Members of United Steelworkers Local 6673 at Evraz Calgary have voted 100% in favour of strike action in response to the company’s outrageous concessionary demands.
Calgary Steelworkers Respond to Evraz Attacks with 100% Strike Vote
"Despite being an extremely profitable company, Evraz is trying to squeeze out even more money by attacking the long-standing benefits of workers, retirees and surviving spouses." - Stephen Hunt
Canadian Forestry Workers Tell U.S. Officials: A Fair Softwood Agreement Is a Negotiated One
"We have a long history of working together and we are here this week to advocate for a fair deal that will benefit both Americans and Canadians." - Bob Matters, USW Wood Council
Support for Canada’s Forest Industry and Communities the Right Thing to Do – for Now: Steelworkers
“We need long-term commitments to workers and families, alongside a sustainable industry.” - Ken Neumann
NDP Poised to Form Government in B.C.
The BC NDP and the BC Green Party have reached an agreement for the parties to work together and intend to form a minority government. Steelworkers congratulate BC NDP Leader John Horgan and the BC NDP team.
Strong Strike Vote by Steelworkers in Response to Evraz Attacks
Members of USW Local 5890 have voted 99.3% in favour of strike action in response to Evraz’s extreme concessionary demands. Evraz Regina Steelworkers have been without a contact for nearly a year.
Strong Strike Vote by Steelworkers in Response to Evraz Attacks
Evraz's attempt to cut benefits for retirees and surviving spouses “is a sickening and shameful attack on vulnerable people.” - Stephen Hunt
Steelworkers Applaud Alberta Government’s Modernization of Workplace Legislation
Reforms will grow middle class, improve living standards for workers and support families, communities and local businesses.
USW Local 6166 on the Birch Tree Mine Closure Announcement
USW representatives were informed by Mark Scott that Birch Tree Mine would be put on care and maintenance by Oct 1, 2017. Birch Tree Mine is one of three operating mines in the operation.
Steelworker Summer
Steelworker Summer is about uniting students, workers, and community activists to create social justice in workplaces and communities.
Vern Theriault Recalls Westray – CBC's The Current
On the 25th anniversary of Westray, former miner Vern Theriault and District 3 Director Stephen Hunt tell the story of the disaster and the USW's efforts to end workplace deaths.
District 3 Summer School – June 11-16, 2017
District 3 will be holding the week-long Summer School at the Trickle Creek Lodge and Kimberley Alpine Resort on June 11-16, 2017.
Alberta Government signs precedent setting agreement for Westray Enforcement
The Memorandum between the 10 police forces in Alberta and the provincial government defines the protocols for Notification, Investigation and Communication between department when there is a serious workplace incident.
Ministerial Statement on the National Day of Mourning
Statement on the National Day of Mourning by Alberta Government's Minister of Labour, Hon. Christina Gray.
Long-awaited Federal Commitment on Enforcing Workplace Fatality Law a Welcome Move Forward, says Steelworkers
Today’s statement by the federal justice and labour ministers for better enforcement of the “Westray Law” is welcome news on the Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job.
USW’s Leo Gerard on Softwood and Unfair Trade
It’s a “bunch of greedy transnational companies, some of which are Canadian, operating on both sides of the border.”
Open Letter to B.C. Steelworkers from President Gerard
No matter what side of the border I work on, more and more I hear from right-wing politicians who don’t really have any ideas of their own so they just make things up. Apparently this B.C. election is no different.
Steelworkers Launch Hard-Hitting TV Ad on “Sell-Out” Christy Clark
Christy Clark has spent most of this election attacking the United Steelworkers in an attempt to distract voters from her disastrous record as Premier.
Canada Must Be Excluded from U.S. Aluminum Investigation: United Steelworkers
“Canadian aluminum, like Canadian steel, is not a threat to American national security. Quite on the contrary.” - Ken Neumann
BC Liberals: Bad for Workers, Bad for British Columbia
Christy Clark has been launching baseless attacks at our union. Why? Because we aren’t afraid to hold her and the BC Liberals to account.
Leo Gerard Standing Up for Canadian Workers
USW International President Leo W. Gerard speaking to CBC’s Chris Hall on trade, Trump and standing up for Canadian steel and forest workers.
Steelworkers Demand Government Counter Softwood Lumber Tariffs that Will Damage Canadian Industry, Hurt Working Families
“We need decisive action. A fair softwood lumber agreement that provides good paying jobs, supports local communities and produces sustainable forests is possible.” - Ken Neumann
Working Forest: More Jobs and a Stronger Economy
BC Election 2017 Factsheet.
West Kootenay Steelworker Locals Endorse Katrine Conroy
USW Locals 9705, 480 and 1-405 are endorsing Katrine Conroy for re-election as MLA for Kootenay West in the upcoming provincial election, the union announced today.
Steelworkers Launch B.C. Election Campaign
The United Steelworkers (USW) is launching a campaign to raise issues important to working families during the coming British Columbia election.
USW Cares: Langley Steelworkers Participate in Weekend Fuel
USW Local 1944, Unit 60 recently took part in the Weekend Fuel program. The program aims to provide breakfast programs in participating schools in Langley, B.C.
Steelworkers Reach Tentative Agreement with CP Rail
“We will be recommending that our members ratify this tentative agreement. We look forward to presenting it to our members.”
Setting the Record Straight: Christy Clark and the BC Liberals Don’t Support Working People and That’s Why Steelworkers Don’t Support Them
Today The Province newspaper incorrectly reported that the United Steelworkers (USW) endorsed the BC Liberals. While we trust this was an honest error, and will avoid any shouting of fake news, it’s important to set the record straight.
Steelworkers Local 816 Members Locked Out by Lafarge Reach Tentative Agreement
Steelworkers secure new agreement that maintains seniority rights, provides wage and benefit increases and rejects concessions.
Members of USW 816 Locked Out by Lafarge Reach Tentative Agreement
Texada Island - Members of the United Steelworkers Local 816, locked out by Lafarge Canada at the Texada Island limestone mine since October 17, 2016, have reached a tentative agreement with their employer.
Next Generation Workshop
As a commitment to the Next Generation program to educate the young members of the United Steelworkers, we will be hosting two day training sessions in Edmonton and Burnaby. Registration is free and open to Steelworkers who are 35 years old or younger.
Momentum Builds for Domestic Violence Leave in Workplace Contracts
USW Local 1-405 reached a 3-year agreement with Trickle Creek Resort. Deal includes new provisions on domestic and family violence leave.
Steelworkers Win Domestic Violence Leave
Rivercrest Care Centre employees, members of USW Local 1-207 in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., have ratified a new three-year agreement that for the first time includes contract language for domestic violence leave.
Lafarge Management Offers Insult and Continued Lockout Of Its Employees
USW Local 816 members at the Texada Quarrying limestone mine are calling out Lafarge management for insulting actions over the holidays.
Wood Council Sends Solidarity to USW Local 816's Picket Line for the Holidays
USW Cares: USW Local 5917 Hosts 'Kids of Steel' Christmas
Steelworkers Reach Settlement on Human Rights Complaint in Fernie
The United Steelworkers (USW) has reached a settlement with the TDL Group Corp. and one of its former franchisees, 658380 B.C. Ltd., in Fernie, British Columbia.
Renewal After Wildfire
Steelworkers Solidarity for Fort McMurray
USW Cares: A Million Thanks, Saskatoon Steelworkers!
Members of USW Local 8914 in Saskatoon, SK are the recent recipients of United Way Centraide Canada’s “Thanks a Million” award for their 2015 campaign.
Women of Steel Helping to Empower Young Women to Succeed
USW Local 7913 Women of Steel Kayla Merke and Alecia McLeod were invited to YWCA Brandon’s Power of Being a Girl Conference.
Steelworkers at Texada Limestone Mine Locked Out by Lafarge
United Steelworkers (USW) members employed at the Texada Quarrying Ltd. limestone mine on Texada Island have been locked out by Lafarge/Holcim management as of Monday, Oct. 17 at 8:30 a.m.
Steelworkers Humanity Fund Contributes $69,000 to Fort McMurray Recovery
“The Humanity Fund is supporting three organizations that make special contributions to vulnerable and traumatized individuals and families.” - Ken Neumann
Vale Steelworker Local Unions Join Forces to Develop Bargaining Strategies
Teck Corporation Threatens Punitive Action Against United Steelworkers for Support of Kamloops Food Bank
United Steelworkers (USW) Local 7619 is calling out the management of Teck Resources in response to its mean-spirited threat to discipline USW members for stepping up on behalf of their community.
“Scholars of Steel” Get to Work as B.C. Gears Up for Election
Thanks to support from USW District 3, 25 young British Columbians had the opportunity to build their political skills as the province moves closer to a provincial election next year.
USW Cares: Growing Our Communities One Seed at a Time
USW Local 5917 out of Regina, Saskatchewan participated in the Good Works Project for a second year in a row.
USW Softwood Lumber Brief
The United Steelworkers (USW) represents more than 280,000 Canadian members, 40,000 of whom work in the forest industry. Forest Products Matter – Our Voice, Our Solutions for Workers, Communities & Industry Stability.
USW Cares: Kamloops Steelworkers Help Local Food Bank
USW Locals 1-417 and 7619 in Kamloops, B.C., co-hosted a golf tournament to benefit the Kamloops Food Bank.
Hazard Alert
Industrial air compressor overheats and the receiver air tank explodes, killing one worker and injuring four.
Campaign by Steelworkers Leads to Agreement With Police on Mining Injuries and Deaths
The B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the province’s police agencies enshrining a protocol for the investigation of mine-site fatalities and bodily harm.
Ronald Palmer Recognized as Jefferson Award Winner for District 3
USW 1944 member Ronald Palmer has been recognized as the USW District 3 winner of the Jefferson Awards.
Steelworker Summer 2016
Steelworker Summer Program is an educational and training internship in which participants develop skills useful for union growth by experiencing firsthand the kinds of struggles workers face while trying to win a voice at work and in the community.
USW Extends Condolences to Family of Two Members Lost to Workplace Deaths
The United Steelworkers is extending its deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of two members who recently died while at work.
Steelworkers Local 5575 Donating $50 Per Member to Fort McMurray Fire Relief
USW Local 5575 announces a $50 per member donation to the Red Cross in support of families affected by the Fort McMurray fires and asks other locals and unions to make contributions as well.
Steelworkers Humanity Fund Contributes $10,000 to Red Cross for Fort McMurray Fire Relief
The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is making a $10,000 contribution to Fort McMurray fire relief.
April 28th, National Day of Mourning
As Steelworkers, April 28th is the most solemn day in our calendar.
On 4th Anniversary of Sawmill Explosion Will Premier Finally Keep Her Promise
The United Steelworkers is marking the fourth anniversary of the Lakeland Mills explosion in Prince George with a renewed call for a public inquiry into the tragedy...
Summer School 2016
Providing Education Services to Steelworker Members in Western Canada. District 3 will be holding the weeklong Summer School at the Trickle Creek Lodge & Kimberly Alpine Resort on June 5 - 10, 2016
On April 4th Saskatchewan Decides
It's time to put everyday Saskatchewan families first.
Manitoba Improves Job Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
On March 15, Manitoba proclaimed the first legislation on paid domestic-violence leave in any Canadian jurisdiction.
The Alberta Premier is a Woman of Steel
Our #WCW honours Rachel Notley
Bullying Stops Here!
USW Local 5917 member Dale Chutskoff of Yorkton, Sask., wanted to honour his late son, Alex, who had been a victim of bullying. Dale wanted to raise awareness of the bullying that affected Alex and many of his friends over the years.
Passionate Mentor of Union Women
Our #WCW honours Brenda Wagg
Union and First Nations Activist
Our #WCW honours Delee Nikal!
Rocanville Potash Employees, Welcome to the Steelworkers!
“We wanted a stronger voice for our members, and we looked to the Steelworkers.” - Jeremy Wray, Rocanville Potash Employees’ Association President.
Rocanville Potash Employees, Welcome to the Steelworkers!
“We wanted a stronger voice for our members, and we looked to the Steelworkers.” - Jeremy Wray, Rocanville Potash Employees’ Association President.
From Logger to Labour Leader
Our #WCW honours Leslie McNabb
Renewed calls for Public Inquiry on the Anniversary of Babine Sawmill Explosion
The following is a joint statement from the United Steelworkers, the BC Federation of Labour, the First Nations Summit, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC Assembly of First Nations marking the fourth anniversary of the Babine sawmill explosion
Time Has Come: 'Kill a Worker, Go to Jail,' Say Steelworkers
Prison time for scaffold deaths, lawsuit over sawmill explosion prompts strong words from labour.