USW/Leo W. Gerard Chair Honors Workers’ Rights

Retired National Director for Canada Ken Neumann devoted his remarks Wednesday to celebrating the many achievements of former International President Leo W. Gerard, including a new honor Gerard received last year.

The University of Toronto’s Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources established the USW/Leo Gerard Chair last fall as a tribute to Gerard’s lifelong commitment to workers’ rights.

Universities typically establish chairs to recognize and promote key fields of study, Neumann said, and in this case, the chair will enhance research on workers’ rights, labor relations and collective bargaining.

“This chair is also a tribute to our union as a whole and to the leadership and the dedication that each and every one of you displays every day in the work of your local unions across Canada and the United States,” Neumann told delegates.

Gerard, who served as international president from 2001 to 2019, has also been named to the Order of Canada at its highest level, among other awards.