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
Stelco Skating
December 21, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and December 28, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Caledonia Arena, 100 Haddington Street Caledonia
You are invited to lace up your skates for a Stelco exclusive skating event for you and your loved ones! There will be coffee, hot chocolate and treats available. You must register online to be able to participate.
$10,000 Donated to FoodShare- Thank you!
USW Local 1005 sincerely wishes to thank everyone for their generous contributions to our annual Plant Gate Collection. We collected $3546 in cash plus another $370 on-line. We also collected several boxes of food. Local 1005 will be donating another $1454. Stelco has generously agreed to contribute an additional $5000! All money donated will go to Hamilton FoodShare. #feedthehammer.com
FoodShare is able to purchase $5 of food with every $1 donated
National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women
We recognize December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women. On December 6, 1989, 14 young women were killed at the École Polytechnique in Montréal in what has become known as the Montreal Massacre. Their tragic deaths remind us of the frightening reality that many women die violently every year in this country. This day has been declared a National Day of Mourning and action.
This day is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action. Achieving a Canada free from gender-based violence requires everyone living in this country to educate themselves and their families and communities on gender-based violence, centre the voices of survivors in our actions and speak up against harmful behaviours.
Join us December 6 at the Workers Arts & Heritage Centre, 51 Stuart Street in Hamilton at 7 p.m., to bring awareness and to stop violence against women.
Production to Trades Apprenticeship Program
Stelco is excited to introduce a new program for production employees: the Production to Trades Apprenticeship Program (P2T Apprenticeship). This program offers production employees with the opportunity to enhance their skills in the trades and become qualified tradespersons. Download the Plant Notice for all of the details and download the application form to apply. You also have the option to apply online. Please note that the deadline to apply is December 18, 2024.
Hamilton Food Share
Help feed our neighbours this holiday season. $5 will provide $25 worth of food. Visit Hamilton Food Share to find out how to donate.
Leadership Development Scholarship Program
The USW’s Leadership Scholarship Program is designed to develop the skills of local union members. Established by the International Executive Board in 1997, this program combines ideas with action to build the leaders, vision, power and solidarity that will stop the corporate-driven race to the bottom. Over a four-year period, participants attend four week-long education sessions in which they learn with and from fellow USW members. For more information download the poster.
MP Matthew Green Statement
Please read the statement from Matthew Green, October 9, 2024, in support of the government to make public the commitments that Cleveland-Cliffs has made under the Canada Investment Act.
Important Update- July 23, 2024
As you are probably already aware of, last Monday July 15, 2024, Stelco Holdings Inc. announced that it had entered into an agreement with Cleveland Cliffs Inc. for the purchase of Stelco’ s Hamilton Works and Lake Erie Works operations.
On Friday July 19, USW 1005 Executive, along with USW 8782 Executive and senior USW representatives met in person with Cleveland Cliffs CEO and President Lourenco Goncalves, COO Cliff Smith, and Executive VP Human Resources Rob Fischer.
CEO Goncalves explained that there would be no layoffs at either location and was looking to add to the workforce and not subtract from it. He further committed to honouring our collective agreements. He went on to explain the potential synergies with the purchase and that Cleveland Cliffs is coke short and that Hamilton’s Coke Ovens could provide that need and therefore plans to increase coke production.
We told the Cliffs team about our terrible experience with US Steel and Goncalves responded that Cliffs were very different and would not disappoint us. USW International President Dave McCall, who supports the deal, told us that the relations between the USW and Cliffs was much better than with US Steel. We reached out to the President of USW Local 6787 from the Burns Harbor plant, which Cliffs purchased in 2020, who told us Cliffs immediately made investments to their facility and so far, the relationship has been positive.
While the announcement came as a bit of a surprise it was clearly something we anticipated was going to eventually take place. We are hopeful that this transaction will be beneficial to all of our members, pensioners and communities and we will hold them accountable if their commitments and promises are not met.
In the coming months we will be having more meetings with Cliffs’ management team and have further information for you. In the meantime, please work safely and don’t listen to rumours. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 905-547-1417 with any questions or concerns.
In Solidarity,
USW 1005 President Ron Wells & Executive
MP Matthew Green Statement
Please read the statement from Matthew Green, in solidarity with United Steelworkers’ Hamilton and Lake Erie Stelco members.
United Steelworkers statement on Stelco’s announcement of sale agreement with Cleveland-Cliffs
July 15, 2024
Statement by United Steelworkers union (USW) Canadian leaders on today’s announcement by Stelco Holdings Inc. that it has entered into an agreement with Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. for the purchase of Stelco’s Hamilton Works and Lake Erie Works operations in Hamilton and Nanticoke, Ont., respectively:
Today, some two-dozen representatives of the nearly 2,000 USW members who work at Stelco’s Hamilton and Lake Erie operations met by video conference with Lourenco Goncalves, Cleveland-Cliffs’ President, CEO and Chairman of the Board.
This initial, hour-long meeting was cordial and respectful in tone, with meaningful exchanges that led the parties to schedule a more fulsome, face-to-face meeting that will be held this Friday, July 19, in Hamilton, where Stelco is headquartered.
First and foremost, our union believes that any sale of Stelco must be predicated on binding commitments that it will result in tangible, net benefits to our members who are primarily responsible for the company’s success, as well as to the communities in which our members and pensioners live and work, and to our province and our country.
We believe that any purchase of Stelco must come with commitments to honour our members’ collective agreements, to protect pensions and benefits, and to make investments that will protect and create jobs and ensure the long-term viability of the company’s operations.
We are committed to engaging in good-faith discussions with Cleveland-Cliffs to ensure these vital objectives are met.
Sincerely,
John McElroy
President, USW Local 8782
(Stelco Lake Erie Works
Ron Wells
President, USW Local 1005
(Stelco Hamilton Works)
Myles Sullivan
Director, USW District 6
(Ontario and Atlantic Canada)
Marty Warren
USW National Director for Canada
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 September 2024 to January 2025
The Brookfield Annuity Company payment schedule from September 2024 to January 2025.
September 2024– Payment date- August 30, 2024
October 2024- Payment date- October 1, 2024
November 2024- Payment date- November 1, 2024
December 2024- Payment date- November 29, 2024
January 2025- Payment date- January 2, 2025
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.
Scholarships Available MSCI
The Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) has established scholarship programs that are available to member companies, which includes the children of Stelco employees. Any student who has been accepted to a two or a four-year institute of higher learning or vocation program can apply for an MSCI scholarship. There may be opportunities for students who are currently enrolled in a program. For more information, please visit the MSCI scholarship website. Application deadlines varies, so make sure you review the dates on the 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 10, 2024
- Wednesday February 14, 2024
- Wednesday March 13, 2024
- Wednesday April 10, 2024
- Wednesday May 8, 2024
- Wednesday June 12, 2024
- Wednesday July 10, 2024
- Wednesday August 14, 2024
- Wednesday September 11, 2024
- Wednesday October 9, 2024
- Wednesday November 13, 2024
- Wednesday December 11, 2024
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.
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
We wish to thank everyone for their generous contributions to our annual plan gate collection on behalf of Hamilton Food Share. In total over $11,480 was donated along with non-perishable food. @HFShare is able to purchase $5 of food with every $1 donated. #FeedtheHammer #HamOnt