USW Local 1005
United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1005 has a long-standing history in the community of Hamilton, Ontario and surrounding areas. It was once the largest basic steel local in Canada. Through collective bargaining, Local 1005 has survived and continues to fight for good wages and a standard of living. This is not just for our members and retirees but for everyone in our community, with a goal that everyone deserves to retire in dignity. We honour and remember all of the men and women who have contributed to the success of Local 1005 and the labour movement.
Local 1005 was officially chartered in 1942 yet had little success since Stelco refused to officially recognize or bargain with the Union. Stelco continued to do everything in its power to stop the growth of unionism. The militant 1946 strike against Stelco was about union recognition and collective bargaining, which was won on the picket line. Read more about the 1946 Strike.
The United Steelworkers union is the largest private-sector union in North America with over 850,000 members. As part of USW District 6, we are counted in the 225,000 members in Canada. USW Canada is the most diverse union in the county, representing members in nearly every industry and in every job imaginable, in all regions of the country.
This reminder, to the current and future leadership and membership, reinforces that there is STRENGTH IN UNITY AND SOLIDARITY.
Member News
Team Stelco- Breakthrough T1D Thank you and Raffle Winners
We’re excited to share some amazing news. Thanks to the incredible support, Team Stelco has raised over $14,300 this year for Breakthrough T1D (Type 1 diabetes), formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, securing the #1 spot for top fundraising team in the Hamilton/Burlington region!
This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the following:
- Our proud partnership with USW 8782 and 1005
- The dedication of our gate collection volunteers
- The generosity of Stelco employees and plant visitors
Thank you for showing up, donating, and making a real difference!
The following is a list of the winning tickets from the raffle. If you have a winning ticket, please contact Gwen at Gwen.tran@stelco.com or ext. 4442 to claim your prize.
| WINNING TICKET | PRIZE |
| 127591 | Swag Bag |
| 127593 | Gift Card |
| 127598 | Backpack |
| 127620 | Swag Bag |
| 127638 | Targus power bank |
| 127653 | Gift Card |
| 127699 | Wi-Fi home security device |
| 127708 | Swag Bag |
| 127769 | Proofpoint Nike duffel bag |
| 127783 | Swag Bag |
| 127807 | Backpack |
| 127815 | Swag Bag |
| 127951 | Swag Bag |
| 127979 | Flow 1.0 Pillow |
| 127985 | Sweatshirt |
| 128023 | Swag Bag |
| 128110 | Gift Card |
| 558617 | 1-person inflatable raft (60″x40″) with electric pump |
| 558696 | Wood chacuterie board |
| 558705 | Artificial light for all year round sunshine |
| 66034233 | Tabletop charcoal BBQ grill |
| 73172195 | Swag Bag |
| 73172213 | Swag Bag |
| 87074138 | White Serving Dish |
| 87074144 | Swag Bag |
| 87074148 | Wi-Fi home security device |
| 87074158 | Insulated Cooler Bag |
| 87074174 | Gift Card |
| 87074181 | Swag Bag |
| 87074183 | Gift Card |
| 87074329 | Pickleball set |
| 87074344 | Wi-Fi home security device |
| 87205379 | Gift Card |
| 87205383 | Swag Bag |
| 87074171 | Swag Bag |
We Honour the Passing of a Visionary Labour Leader
It is with heavy hearts that we report that Leo Gerard, the USW International President emeritus of the United Steelworkers union, passed away on September 21, 2025. Leo served in the union’s top job from 2001 to 2019. Gerard was the second Canadian to lead the international union. For more information please go to USW.ca Facebook page.
No Government Interference in Air Canada Negotiations
Read the latest letter to Prime Minister Carney from Marty Warren, National Director for Canada United Steelworkers. The letter urges the Prime Minister to refrain from government interference in the ongoing collective bargaining between Air Canada flight attendants and the airline, emphasizing that fair agreements are best achieved at the bargaining table without political intervention.
Tommy Pollock Christmas Dinner & Dance
Friday December 19, 2025
This is a great night for our members, pensioners, and families to get together for good food, fun and a celebration. Tickets are $50.00 and are available at USW 1005 Union Hall.
Please note the new location at Carmen’s Event Centre at 1520 Stone Church Road East, Hamilton, Ontario.
For more information, please download the poster for more information.
Yours Truly,
Jake Lombardo, Jim McColl, Dennis Van Meer, Tony Mclaughlin and Dan Bates
Major win for Steelworkers
On July 16, 2025, the United Steelworkers Union met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Hamilton. The announcement from Prime Minister Mark Carney reflects major wins for workers – delivering on demands the union has made not only during the current crisis, but over the past decade. The article on the USW website outlines the details of the announcement.
You can also visit Prime Minister Mark Carney’s website for further details of the new measures in place to protect and strengthen Canada’s steel industry.
Federal Response to Steel and Aluminum Crisis Falls Short
(June 23, 2025) The United Steelworkers union says the federal government’s response to the U.S.-imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum is insufficient to protect Canadian jobs and industry. For more information, please visit the United Steelworkers website.
Stelco Estate Document Confirmation
If you recently received a letter from Telus Health regarding the Stelco pension of deceased Stelco plan member, please respond to Telus Health to ensure the proper distribution of any surplus payments. For more information, please download the document from Telus Health.
Please don’t hesitate to contact USW Local 1005 at 905-547-1417 if you have any questions or concerns.
USW Post Secondary Scholarships
Every year, the United Steelworkers union awards scholarships to qualified students across Canada. These scholarships are intended to support Steelworkers members who spend many years saving so that they or their children can pursue post-secondary education. District 6, for those in Ontario, offers its own scholarships in addition to the Canada-wide scholarships that the USW offers. Please visit the USW District 6 scholarships page for more information.
GoodLife Fitness
GoodLife is offering corporate rates to Stelco employees. You can save with $0 enrollment fees and 25% off of all membership types. Download the poster for more information.
Pension Deposit Schedule for 2025
The Brookfield Annuity Company will be changing their name to Blumont Annuity Company. The payment schedule for 2025 is the following:
January 2
January 31
February 28
April 1
May 1
May 30
June 30
August 1
August 29
October 1
October 31
December 1
Seniors United for Health Care with Dignity
Learn more about the Seniors United for Health Care with Dignity organization and how they are working to change healthcare in Ontario for seniors. Download their latest press release for more information.
Keep Transit Public
Hamilton’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) is set to begin construction next spring, and once again is under threat of privatization from Doug Ford and Metrolinx. In the Summer of 2017, the Keep Transit Public campaign resulted in a collection of over 6,000 signatures in support of a Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) operated LRT. Along with a major rally, extensive local media engagement and positive coverage, Hamilton city councillors voted 9 to 4 in favour of a request to “Keep Transit Public”. The motion requested the HSR to operate and maintain the LRT.
The Ontario government is now trying to privatize Hamilton’s LRT. Other cities warn about the repercussions of privatizing LRT. Read the recent article, published in the Hamilton Spectator, from Toronto city councillor Josh Matlow warning about privately run LRT.
Your help is needed to Keep Transit Public. Please consider signing the petition or contacting your city councillor- or both! For information on how you can provide support, please visit the Keep Transit Public website.
Monthly Membership Meeting Dates
Monthly membership meetings will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, starting at 3:40pm.
Meetings are held at USW 1005 Union Hall at 350 Kenilworth Ave. North, Hamilton Ontario.
- Wednesday January 8, 2025
- Wednesday February 12, 2025
- Wednesday March 12, 2025
- Wednesday April 9, 2025
- Wednesday May 14, 2025
- Wednesday June 11, 2025
- Wednesday July 9, 2025
- Wednesday August 13, 2025
- Wednesday September 10, 2025
- Wednesday October 8, 2025
- Wednesday November 12, 2025
- Wednesday December 10, 2025
Employee and Family Assistance Program- FSEAP
FSEAP services are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day.
During business hours call: 613-549-5561 or 1-888-409-4499.
After business hours call: 1- 800-668-9920.
You can also visit fseap.ca and login in with username: fseapkingston and password myfseap.
Download a copy of the brochure.
😡 After 10 yrs of falling wages & years of unpaid hours, @AirCanada workers are fighting back–for all of us!
💪🏿 Solidarity is everywhere, including among passengers. Air Canada has treated passengers horribly.
#StopWageTheft #Justice4Workers
@cupenat @IAMAW2323 @iamcanada
Today, on December 6, we observe #WhiteRibbonDay in remembrance of the 14 young women who were killed at École Polytechnique in Montréal in 1989. Join us at the Hamilton and District Labour Council on December 7 at 6 p.m. to remember them. #EndViolenceAgainstWomen