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
Remembrance Day Service- Stelco Cenotaph
To all Stelco Employees
In order to pay respect to Canada’s war veterans, including our fellow Stelco employees who have served our Country, Stelco will be hosting a Remembrance Day service at the Stelco Cenotaph at 10:45am on November 11, 2025, with two minutes of silence commencing at 11:00am.
Employees who are working on location at Hamilton Works, and have the leave of their Manager or Supervisor, are encouraged to attend the annual service and pay tribute to those who served our country. We will remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.
Lest we forget.
Tiger-Cats Exclusive Discount- Eastern Final
Hamilton Stadium- Saturday November 8 at 3:00 p.m.
Come and cheer on your Hamilton Ticats at the Eastern Final. As a Stelco Employee you are being offered an exclusive discount to secure your Eastern final tickets. Make sure you wear black!
Visit the Fevo ticket website to order your tickets, and enter the code: ESMITH. Tickets are available for a limited time while quantities last. Download the poster for more information.
Movember
November marks Movember, a global movement dedicated to men’s health — and here in Canada, it’s a powerful time to come together, raise awareness, and take action. At its core, Movember encourages men (and their allies) to spark conversations that too often go unspoken: about mental health, suicide prevention, prostate health, and testicular cancer. By growing a moustache, moving (running, walking, cycling), or hosting a “Mo-ment,” participants use a simple, visible act to open doors to meaningful dialogue.
Why is this important? Men in Canada face health challenges that are preventable or treatable — if caught early, acknowledged, and addressed. Mortality rates from suicide, prostate, and testicular cancers are reminders that silence and stigma cost lives. The Movember Foundation works to shift social norms, so men feel more comfortable checking in with themselves, talking to trusted others, and seeking help sooner rather than later.
This year, Canada is also spotlighting a major new resource: The Real Face of Men’s Health: 2025 Canadian Report. Co-authored by Movember and academic partners, the report compiles insights on men’s health trends, gaps, and priorities — and makes a strong recommendation for a National Men’s Health Strategy to guide policymaking at federal and provincial levels.
Men’s health is not just a private issue, it’s a collective one. Low rates of help-seeking, high stress, burnout, and occupational health gaps all intersect with our roles, workplaces, and the identities of our members. If we can build a culture where men feel safe to speak up — where “toughing it out” isn’t the default, we strengthen our collective well-being, not just individual lives.
By participating through conversations, workplace fundraisers, or solidarity gestures, we can amplify Movember’s message in ways that reach people who might not otherwise think about their health. For more information visit Movember Canada.
1005 Children’s Christmas Party
Sunday December 14, 2025
10:30am to 1:00pm
Steelworkers Hall
1031 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ont.
Please join us and celebrate Christmas with your children. We will be serving McDonalds food, pizza, pop and juice.
Call 1005 Union Hall (905-547-1417) by December 5th to register your children, ages 11 and under, for a great present from Santa Claus himself!
Attention to all USW 1005 members, retired or active, the Stelco Hamilton Bargaining Unit Legacy Pension Registration 0354878
The Union was notified on October 8, 2025, that the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has approved the Pension Surplus Distribution Methodology for distribution of surplus from the USW Local 1005 Legacy Pension Plan. Telus has advised the Union that pension surplus payouts are currently scheduled for December 1, 2025, for all members with banking current information on file with Telus. Special cases, such as estates that have not provided all necessary documentation and unlocated plan members will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and will be processed at a later date. Plan members will receive a pension surplus statement after the postal services disruption is resolved.
If you have had any changes to your banking information since August 2025 please contact Telus immediately to provide updated banking information. Telus can be reached at 1-844-650-2820.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the union if you have any questions or concerns.
In Solidarity USW 1005 Executive
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Canada — a time to raise awareness, offer support, and encourage early detection. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women, yet with continued research, education, and access to screening, survival rates continue to improve. Regular mammograms, self-awareness of changes in breast health, and open conversations with healthcare providers are vital tools in catching breast cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
This month, we honour the strength and courage of those who have faced breast cancer — survivors, those currently in treatment, and the loved ones we’ve lost. We also recognize the incredible dedication of healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates working toward a future without breast cancer. By wearing pink, supporting local initiatives, and spreading awareness, we can all play a part in promoting prevention, advancing research, and offering hope to those affected. For more information visit the Canadian Cancer Society.
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
Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
Carmen’s Event Centre
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