The Steelworkers in Western Canada: District Office Tel 604.683.1117

There are around 60,000 Steelworkers in Western Canada (the four western provinces and the territories) that form District 3, geographically the largest district in the union.

The USW of today barely resembles the mostly-male industrial union of the 1930s and ‘40s. Now more than 27per cent of Steelworkers are women, and there is as growing membership among visible minority workers and young workers.

Steelworkers innovative educational programs such as Women of Steel and young Worker Awareness have assisted in making our union attractive to every worker. The increasing diversity of the membership has worked to strengthen the basic principles on which the union was founded.

In 2004 the USW welcomed some 30,000 workers employed in lumber and forestry industries through the union’s successful merger with the Industrial, Wood and Allied Workers of Canada (IWA Canada). Steelworkers in Western Canada can be found working in such diverses areas as bingo halls, nursing homes, chocolate factories, the CIBC VISA Centre, mines and manufacturing facilities.

Membership in the union is not the only way Steelworkers are connected with their communities. In Flin Flon, Manitoba, the union operates a fishing camp every summer for kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

Steelworkers health and safety in Western Canada has included a long history of struggle. It has resulted in the Steelworkers’ involvement in the development of the B.C. Mines Act, and changes to the B.C. Workers’ Compensation Act.

Both Steelworkers and the IWA have played leading roles in establishing the best collective agreements to be found anywhere in the world.

Today the District 3 Women of Steel Committee helps develop strategies for organizing, collective bargaining and reaching out to other sisters in Western Canada and the northern territories.

Another USW innovation is the Steelworker Humanity Fund, which are district put on the collective bargaining agenda. Many Steelworker local unions have bargained contributions of one cent per hour per member into the Fund. The Fund, seen as a model by other unions, is used for international humanitarian relief, international trade union development and cooperation, and community projects in Canada.

Steelworkers’ policies combat racism and sexism in the workplace, reflecting changes in the union’s diverse membership. Women are more active than ever in all aspects of the union. Steelworker activists are also encouraged to participate in local union committees like human rights, organizing, education, and safety.

USW strength in collective bargaining has meant breakthroughs on pensions, pension-indexing and continued improvements in wages and working conditions.

The USW has many years of experience representing First Nations workers in the mining sector and forest industry sectors where we have successfully negotiated collective agreements which provide our Aboriginal sisters and brothers with strong and meaningful rights.

The union in Western Canada has 8 regional offices plus the District 3 headquarters in Burnaby. In addition, the IWA Canada merger brought our union 15 geographical locals. Experienced staff assist local unions in collective bargaining, organizing, research, health and safety, and more.

The USW is committed to fighting for better wages, benefits and working conditions; providing a democratic voice in the decisions that affect our working lives; and through political action building a progressive social movement to improve the lives of working men and women and their families.

We are Building Power. We are building unity and strength for workers!

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Our District 3 Office Headquarters is located in Burnaby, BC.

For our district and regional office contacts and personell click here.