The USW has maintained its unwavering commitment to economic and social justice in Canada since the last USW Constitutional Convention. Building on its history of advocacy for workers’ rights and legislative change, the union has won significant victories in recent years. These gains not only reinforce the USW’s role as a champion of worker-centred policies but also underscore the power of collective action in shaping legislation and policies that benefit Canadian workers and communities.
USW is proud of our long history of political action in Canada:
Fighting for union recognition for Steelworkers in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec in the 1940s and 1950s.
Founders of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in 1961.
The Elliot Lake miners’ strike in the 1970s that led to worker health and safety laws across the country.
A decade of lobbying and pushing to pass the Westray Law that holds corporations and bosses criminally liable for worker deaths or injuries, enacted in 2004.
Advocating to prioritize workers’ pensions when companies go bankrupt
Advocating for improvements to the Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan, which were finally won in 2016.
Years of advocacy in Quebec that led to a legislated ban on two-tier pensions and benefits.
Years of advocacy on universal child care, pharmacare and anti-scab legislation.
A political context where the stars were aligned
In March 2022, federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh struck an agreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to support the government in exchange for advancing key policy areas – including dental care, pharmacare and anti-scab legislation, to name a few.
Anti-scab legislation
An important victory for workers was achieved with the introduction of federal anti-scab legislation. After years of relentless advocacy by the USW and other union allies, the federal government introduced legislation that prohibits the use of scabs during strikes and lockouts in federally regulated industries. This long-awaited legislation strengthens the power of collective bargaining and ensures that workers’ rights are protected during labour disputes. The bill will come into force in June 2025. The USW’s commitment at every stage of the legislative process was instrumental in bringing about this historic change, demonstrating the power of collective action. The legislation was negotiated as part of the supply and confidence agreement between the federal NDP and the governing Liberal Party.
Sustainable Jobs Act
USW members have played a leading role in ensuring that Canada’s transition to a green economy does not leave any worker behind. The Sustainable Jobs Act, passed in 2024 by the federal Parliament, is a crucial step toward a just transition for workers in carbon-intensive industries. The legislation establishes a framework for retraining and redeploying workers in the clean energy sector, but more importantly, it ensures that labour representatives have a seat at the decision-making table when it comes to their jobs.
Pharmacare
The introduction of the first steps toward a universal pharmacare program marks another legislative achievement that the USW has championed. This legislation aims to reduce the cost of prescription medications for Canadians, addressing a critical gap in the country’s health care system. We worked closely with allies to pressure Parliament to move forward on this issue, showcasing the importance of affordable health care in improving workers’ quality of life. This was another success negotiated through the NDP-Liberal supply and confidence agreement.
Standing up for fair trade, Canadian industry and economic justice
One of our top accomplishments since the last convention has been our advocacy for policies that protect Canadian workers and industries from unfair trade practices. In the face of escalating global competition and predatory trade behaviors, the USW successfully lobbied the federal government to impose tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum products. These tariffs, which came into effect earlier this year, address the issue of dumped and subsidized imports that undermine our industries and cost Canadian jobs. This victory builds on our long-standing efforts to secure fair trade policies that prioritize Canadian workers.
The USW has continued its leadership on trade issues, ensuring that Canadian workers are protected from unfair international practices.
Tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum
In 2024, the federal government imposed tariffs on steel, aluminum and electric vehicle imports from China, addressing the union’s longstanding concerns about unfair trade practices and the use of forced labour. These tariffs will protect thousands of Canadian jobs in the steel and aluminum sectors.
Conclusion
Our Steelworkers Vote program continues to mobilize and educate members on the importance of political action and electing worker-friendly governments.
Since the last constitutional convention, there have been elections in several provincial jurisdictions in which our members have played important and sometimes decisive roles.
- 2023 Manitoba election: Of these, the Steelworkers played a pivotal role in the 2023 Manitoba election, supporting the NDP’s return to government after years of Conservative rule. The new NDP government, led
by the province’s first ever Indigenous Premier, Wab Kinew, quickly committed to strengthen workers’ rights by introducing anti-scab legislation in that jurisdiction, and facilitating the unionization process through card-check certification. - 2024 British Columbia election: In the 2024 British Columbia election, the USW’s Steelworkers Vote program was instrumental in mobilizing support for the NDP. The union organized extensive outreach efforts, including in-person canvassing in key ridings. These initiatives highlighted the NDP’s track record, contributing to the party’s successful re-election. With very close results in many of the province’s ridings, including regions where our members were mobilized, and a slim majority in the Legislative Assembly, the Steelworkers can take pride in having contributed to the re-election of the NDP government of British Columbia in a context that gave full meaning to the expression “every vote counts.”
- 2024 Saskatchewan election: During the 2024 Saskatchewan election, Steelworkers Vote mobilized members in key areas of the province, highlighting the need for stronger labour protections and fairer workplace policies. The Steelworkers played a crucial role in increasing support for the NDP, helping the party consolidate its position as the province’s official opposition and first to build a new generation of activists.
- 2025 Ontario snap election preparation: At the time of writing, the Steelworkers are mobilizing for an early winter election in Ontario, and will be recruiting members to take part in activities such as labour canvasses.
- 2025 federal election preparation: The parliamentary crisis raised by the resignation of the federal Finance Minister, which in turn showed Prime Minister Trudeau the door, and the declarations of the opposition parties, which have already signalled their intention to defeat the government at the earliest opportunity, also imposes mobilization for a federal election in the short term. With Donald Trump again in the White House, it will likely be a question of choosing the person most likely to stand up to the new American president and defend our members’ jobs and the communities that depend on them. With this in mind, Steelworkers are gearing up to mobilize members on the ground.
Steelworkers Vote: Building our political power
Since the USW Constitutional Convention of 2022, Steelworkers’ political action in Canada has led to significant legislative and social gains and helped elect pro-worker governments or strengthen the representation of these parties in opposition. From expanding workers’ rights to defending economic and environmental justice, the Steelworkers continue to lead the way in shaping a more just and equitable society. These achievements reaffirm the power of collective action and the importance of a strong, politically engaged union.