Wood Council News
Westray Law Should Have Applied in New Brunswick Fatality, Say Steelworkers
“We want workers and their families to be provided with justice. A fine is not justice. It is permission to repeat the offence of an unsafe workplace.” - Marty Warren
Governments Must Act Now to Address Women’s Inequality: Steelworkers
“In developing the programs for an economic recovery, the government must rely on measures that focus on women’s employment, including investing in the caring economy,” said Ken Neumann, USW National Director.
In June, Steelworkers Humanity Fund Provided $15,000 to Organizations to Support Workers Affected by COVID-19
“The COVID-19 pandemic has left workers and entire communities to fend for themselves, with very little or no government assistance. In this context, the little support we provide goes a long way, giving people a chance to overcome this acute crisis."
Pressure on Canadian Aluminum, Steel and Softwood Lumber Shows Fundamental Problems with International Trade: Steelworkers
USW National Director Ken Neumann told the federal Standing Committee on International Trade that COVID-19 has exposed fundamental problems with the international trading system and Canada’s reliance on global supply chains for essential products.
USW Social Media Comment Policy: Let's talk, respectfully
Our union was founded in 1942 with a sacred principle that still guides us today: all are welcome. With that being said, we wanted to remind everyone of our official USW comment policy for our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube pages.
Steelworkers Union Welcomes WSIB Decision Recognizing McIntyre Powder-Related Parkinson’s as Occupational Disease
“This victory means workers’ claims for compensation may finally be met. It's a significant step toward justice for elderly and sick retirees and their families."
Canada Emergency Response Benefit Extended by Eight Weeks
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) has been extended from 16 to 24 weeks.
Workers’ Compensation System a ‘National Disgrace’: United Steelworkers
Provincial governments must rectify fatal flaws in the workers’ compensation system that continue to ruin lives and exacerbate the opioid crisis
Even Richer Than You Think – Time for Liberals to Act on Growing Inequality, Says Steelworkers Union
“This is an outrageous imbalance. The richest, wealthiest families in Canada are holding more than $3 trillion, which is a quarter of the worth of the whole country. This is out of whack. Let’s heed this warning.”
The Jury Is In: Unconstitutional Attacks on Workers’ Rights Must End
The latest in a long line of court rulings strikes down another ‘draconian’ violation of collective bargaining rights guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
We Must Keep Indigenous Issues on Political Agenda: Ken Neumann’s Statement for June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day
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.
Help Save Child Care and Early Learning
Help save early learning and child care. Sign on to support Canada’s three national child care organizations that have developed a plan to sustain early learning and child care through the pandemic.
Apply by June 30: Activist Initiates Family and Community Education Fund Project in Sudbury
The Family and Community Education Fund (FCEF) supported a Sudbury project that is an example of how the fund can help develop young leaders in the union while serving the local’s goals of greater community connection.
Pandemic Exposes Urgent Need for Reforms for Workers, all Canadians: Ken Neumann
USW National Director Ken Neumann appears on Sauga 960 AM radio to advocate for critical issues for workers and all Canadians during the pandemic.
USW Condemns Anti-Black Racism and Racist Violence
The United Steelworkers union in Canada condemns anti-Black racism in all its forms and the racist violence that has occurred on both sides of the border. Our union stands in solidarity with Black communities around the globe.
Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Resources
The United Steelworkers union in Canada and the United States unequivocally condemns the racism and racist violence that has occurred in the last number of weeks on both sides of the border.
Apply by June 30: Family and Community Education Fund Can Support Pandemic Projects
Are members of your local feeling stressed and having trouble juggling daily tasks and responsibilities during COVID-19? Maybe the USW Family and Community Education Fund (FCEF) can help.
New Website Tracks Anti-Asian Racism
A new website – Fight COVID Racism – is a way for individuals to share their experiences of racism.
Federal Government Delays Release of National Action Plan on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
The Trudeau government is postponing the release of the action plan promised for June, one year after the release of the national inquiry’s final report.
Share Your COVID-19 Work Experience
A national survey has been launched to document and analyze the experiences of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
USW Encourages Solidarity, Virtual Pride Celebrations During the Pandemic: Ken Neumann Statement for Pride Month 2020
In June, Steelworkers join with LGBTQ2SIA+ communities across the world to celebrate Pride Month.
Steelworkers Union Praises NDP Victory in Securing Paid Sick Leave Commitment
“The federal government must do everything in its power to quickly bring all provinces and territories on board to ensure paid sick leave for all workers.”
Feds Must Rescind Punitive Income Restrictions for Thousands of Canadians: Steelworkers
“The government’s misguided position serves no purpose, other than denying workers much-needed income that they have negotiated with their employers.”
USW COVID-19 Demands to Federal and Provincial Governments
The United Steelworkers union calls on the federal government to immediately enact the following reforms to support workers and retirees during these uncertain times.
New Canada-U.S.-Mexico Trade Deal is Flawed – Ken Neumann on RadioLabour
RadioLabour’s Marc Belanger talks to USW National Director Ken Neumann about the new trade deal.
Planned EI Changes Must Extend to Tourism, Hotel and Restaurant Workers, USW Says
New federal support for fisheries sector must be expanded to tourism, hotel and restaurant workers affected by pandemic.
We Remember Those Lost 28 Years Ago in the Westray Mine Explosion Like It Was Yesterday: Steelworkers
The USW union remembers with heavy hearts the 28th anniversary of the devastating loss of 26 miners in the Westray Coal Mine explosion. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost and their Nova Scotia communities.
May is a Key Anniversary for Women’s Reproductive Rights
Fifty years ago this month, Canadian women converged on Ottawa for Mothers’ Day to demand something we now take for granted: each woman’s right to decide if and when they become mothers.
Proposal to Postpone USW International Convention
COVID-19 crisis leads International Executive Board to pass a resolution postponing 2020 USW Constitutional Convention.
Ken Neumann's Statement for Asian Heritage Month 2020
Each year, Steelworkers celebrate May as Asian Heritage Month. We recognize the incredible contributions Asian Canadians have made to this country, and to our union.
Steelworkers Humanity Fund Provides $50,000 to Support Bangladeshi Garment Workers Affected by COVID-19
“The contribution will make a huge difference in the lives of 750 families who will receive food packages and medical kits.” - Ken Neumann
USW Family and Community Education Fund - Report on 2019 Projects
In 2019, the USW Family and Community Education Fund supported projects under four themes: Supporting Steelworker Families, Promoting USW in the Community, Supporting and Engaging Young Activists and Supporting and Engaging New Activists.
Virtual FCEF Project Applications Welcome During COVID-19
Until June 30, 2020, any local in Canada can apply to the Family and Community Education Fund (FCEF) to fund a project to help its members, families and communities stay connected in these challenging times.
One Lesson from the Pandemic: Canada Needs to Rebuild Manufacturing
One of the by-products of COVID-19 is that people are paying attention to where things are manufactured. By focusing on an industrial growth strategy, governments can help ensure that the economic recovery that follows the pandemic will be more durable.
Day of Mourning and COVID-19
Many events that would otherwise be the work of the union have been suspended because of the global pandemic, but we hope that we can all continue to prepare for the Day of Mourning in our communities, whether we are able to gather in ceremony or not.
CORONAVIRUS: A Guide for USW Canadian Members
COVID-19, the disease caused by the new, or “novel” coronavirus, is spreading in Canada as of March 19, 2020.
Workplace Issues During COVID-19
There are a number of steps that employers can take to improve the health and safety of workers during this time.
Federal Government Response to COVID-19: Announcement on March 18, 2020
On March 18, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced additional measures to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upcoming USW Event Postponements
USW is passionate about keeping USW members safe at work and at home. This is the reason that the union is cancelling or postponing a number of upcoming events in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Recommendations: Postponing Local Union Meetings
With the recent announcement by the World Health Organization that the Corona Virus / COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic, it is recommended that local unions postpone or cancel any meetings that are scheduled to occur in the near future.
Hard-Won First Contracts at Two Chartwell Retirement Facilities
After their employer, Chartwell, stalled negotiations in a failed attempt to weaken their resolve, workers at two retirement facilities in Alberta have officially become USW members with their first ratified collective bargaining agreements.
USW Leaders Welcome Lily Chang to Team Unite CLC
The USW Canadian Directors welcome Lily Chang to the Team Unite CLC slate and offer our endorsement of Lily’s candidacy for Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).
USW Continues Its Call to Stop the Killing and Enforce the Law
On the first anniversary of a mining disaster in Brazil which killed 250 workers, the United Steelworkers union continues its call to stop the killing and ensure proper enforcement of the law.
USW Endorses Team Unite for CLC Leadership Race
USW leaders have thrown their support behind Bea Bruske and Siobhan Vipond for Canadian Labour Congress President and Executive Vice-President at the upcoming CLC Convention in Vancouver (May 4-8).
Steelworkers Urge Government To Implement Recommendations From Sawmill Explosions Review
Nearly eight years after two sawmill explosions in northern British Columbia claimed the lives of four people and injured dozens more, the (USW) is responding to the release of a review of actions by WorkSafeBC and government in relation to worker safety.
Steelworkers Humanity Fund Contributes $5,000 to Support Victims of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas
The Bahamas suffered greatly because of this catastrophe, and our hope is that our contribution will help with the reconstruction efforts.
United Steelworkers Responds to B.C. Government Forest Worker Announcement
The USW is calling for the B.C. government to restore the bond between our public forest resources and employment opportunities and benefits for British Columbians.
Another Devastating Sawmill Closure Reinforces Urgent Need for Changes to B.C. Forestry Policy: Steelworkers
The announcement of the closure of Hammond Cedar in Maple Ridge is the latest in a series of devastating sawmill closures in British Columbia that requires immediate and robust changes to forestry policy, says the United Steelworkers (USW) union.
700 Workers Have Voted to Join the United Steelworkers
The United Steelworkers welcome 700 new members after several successful organizing victories in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
Ken Neumann’s Statement on the Occasion of June 21, National Indigenous Day
We’re watching the Senate and the federal government to see if they will pass Bill C-262 into law, so that Canada can adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Ken Neumann Statement for Pride Month
In June this year, Steelworkers from all across Canada join with LGBT communities to celebrate Pride Month.
CLC/UWCC Post-Secondary Scholarship
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Young Workers Program and United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC) are pleased to present the annual CLC/UWCC Post-Secondary Scholarship.
Join the International Campaign for a New Social Contract for Working People
It’s time to make the economy work for everybody. Sign ITUC’s petition for a New Social Contract to ensure a fairer deal that puts people, not corporate greed, back in the driver’s seat.
Remembering Westray
In the early morning of May 9, 1992, an explosion ripped through the Westray coal mine in Plymouth, Nova Scotia, killing all twenty-six miners working the night shift.
USW Welcomes B.C. Government Review of WorkSafeBC Actions In Sawmill Explosions
The United Steelworkers' "Stop The Killing, Enforce The Law" campaign has been focused on lobbying governments at every level to protect the health and safety of all workers and ensuring that the Westray Law is applied when appropriate.