Welcome to the USW! For more than 75 years, our union has been fighting to make sure that we get the pay, benefits and working conditions all workers deserve. Together we negotiate contracts, advocate for laws that benefit working people and ensure our interests are represented on the job.
Check out the resources below to learn more about our union and opportunities to get more involved.
The USW is made up of people like you who come together to better our workplaces and communities—and we make sure everyone has access to the knowledge, tools and experience they need to become a powerful force for good.
You may want to serve on a local committee or run for an elected position, or you may want to engage in community service or some other volunteer work. There is a place for everyone in our union.
Bargaining a contract is the best way to ensure we have real protections at work. With a contract in place, management cannot just decide on its own to make changes like cutting wages, firing workers, playing favorites or changing schedules and holidays.
When it comes to negotiating a fair contract, management isn’t going to just hand us what we need. But by working together, we increase our bargaining power. Sharing information and participating in solidarity activities show management we are strong and united, putting us in a stronger position at the bargaining table.
Union members have an advantage over their non-union counterparts in both wages and access to benefits. Unionized workers make up to 20 percent more than their non-union counterparts with similar responsibilities, education and experience. This is because union workers have a voice in their workplace. And by improving working wages and working conditions in our own workplaces, we lift up pay and benefits for others in our industries and communities so that through our efforts, we all do better.
The USW represents members across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. The union is divided into 12 districts. Each local has a director who provides guidance and resources for members in a set geographic area.
Local unions, “locals”, serve as the smallest branch, operating in close proximity to an individual, typically within the same community. Some are comprised of a single workplace or contract, while others, called amalgamates, bring together workers from several employers. Locals are designated by numbers, for example, USW Local 1234. Members elect their local leadership from within their ranks, and these elected officers serve as the primary contacts if members have questions or concerns.