Ken Neumann, Steelworkers National Director for Canada

Born and raised in rural Saskatchewan, Ken Neumann has been a lifelong Steelworker. When he was still a teenager, he was a member of Local 5890 at Ipsco Ltd. in Regina, Saskatchewan, and later was a member of Local 6166 at Inco Ltd. in Thompson, Manitoba.

As a member of Local 4728 (Westank-Willock, Regina), Ken became active as a steward, and later took on other jobs in the local right up to getting elected president. He became an instructor, organizer, and president of the Regina Area Council before being hired as a Steelworker Staff Representative in 1977.

Ken worked for Steelworker members in Saskatchewan and Kimberley, BC, where he built a personal reputation for strong service to Steelworker members in the East Kootenay region.

He ran and won the election in 1989 to replace retiring District 3 Director Len Stevens, and has been returned to office in every election since then, increasing his and the union’s involvement in the labour movement in Western Canada, as well as increasing organizing activity in the union’s largest geographical district.

As National Director, Ken is labour co-chair of the Canadian Steel Trades and Employment Congress, a vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress, and co-chair of the Mining Industry Training Adjustment Council (MITAC).

Ken Neumann is also president of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund.