The USW is the largest private sector union in North America with more than 225,000 members in Canada and more than 800,000 members continent-wide. The USW is Canada’s most diverse union, representing men and women working in every sector of the economy.
Welcome to USW 7884
Women of Steel
The United Steelworkers are committed to equality. We believe unions need women and women need unions. We have strong policies against harassment in the workplace, bargain for pay equity and offer training and leadership development to our women members. All women who are members of the Union are considered Women of Steel.
Human Rights & Equity
Our members reflect the diversity of Canada. We celebrate differences and believe that everyone is entitled to a workplace that is free from discrimination, regardless of race, religion, gender, age, status or sexual orientation. Our union helped achieve legislation and regulations that provide for equal pay, anti-harassment protection and employment equity provisions.
Health, Safety & the Environment
We represent many workers in dangerous occupations, including steel-making, forestry, mining and smelting. Our health and safety staff work with local unions to reduce stress, defend members, advise on workers’ compensation matters, negotiate for better health and safety conditions and lobby for better regulations and standards.
Education & Equality
Steelworkers help members gain skills, knowledge and confidence to protect their rights AND participate in our union. We offer courses in six main areas:
• Stewards • Protecting Health, Safety and the Environment • Developing Diverse Leadership • Bargaining to Win • Equality at Work • Organizing and Mobilizing
Why Join a Union?
TOP REASONS WHY PEOPLE JOIN A UNION
Unionized workplaces are happier.
The most common reason why people want a union is because there is something that is unfair about their workplace. People who are unionized enjoy greater job satisfaction because unions allow employees to negotiate the rules and policies of the workplace with the employer.
Job Security
By forming a union you can negotiate a contract with benefits that are guaranteed in writing. Benefits like a health and dental plan, vacation pay, paid sick leave, a pension plan, training and overtime.
Safer workplaces
With a union, you and your co-workers will have the support you need to fix health and safety dangers in your workplace. The United Steelworkers are experts in workplace safety. We’ve shown government and employers that the design of work, and how it is planned and supervised, has a profound effect on the health of employees and the environment.
Union members have better pay.
Union membership allows you and your co-workers to negotiate a fair pay system. Many union contracts provide increases to ensure that employees are fairly compensated for experience, commitment and length of service. With a union, you know when to expect a raise and how much it will be.
Jobs with Benefits
With a union contract, you can stop favouritism, and challenge unfair discipline and dismissal. Your employer can only fire you with a good reason. Having a union also allows employees to have a say when cost-cutting, contracting-out, restructuring and other decisions are considered.
* BONUS *
Being a Steelworker member is more than just exercising your rights and winning better pay – it is also an opportunity to expand your own skills. Our leadership programs are about training our members on how to build power and negotiate with employers. Our members become educated in employment law, gain self-confidence and build new friendships.