USW on Pride Month: We Cannot Turn Our Backs to Injustice

For Immediate Release: Sun., June 1, 2025

Contact: Chelsey Engel, cengel@usw.org, 412-212-8173

(Pittsburgh) – The United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall, along with the USW LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, released the following statement in honor of Pride Month:

“USW members at our recent Constitutional Convention recommitted ourselves to the fight for civil and human rights, including protecting LGBTQ+ workers – a fight that is as important now as ever.

“We are witnessing increasing attacks in both the United States and Canada on the rights of marginalized people, depriving many in our societies of their fundamental freedom to live their everyday lives without fear and oppression.

“It’s on us, as labor activists and as citizens, to stand up for those who only want to live in peace. And whether it’s at the bargaining table, in the halls of our elected officials, or in our communities, we will use our power to defend those who face ignorance and abuse.

“We will never turn our backs on our founding principles or on our fellow siblings. It is not the union way, and we won’t be taken in by a cruel distraction that weakens our movement and drives wedges in our democracies.

“Instead, this Pride Month, we recommit ourselves to justice and dignity for all.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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