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
Sarah Jama
USW 1005 is proud to endorse independent candidate Sarah Jama for re-election for Hamilton Centre in the up-coming Provincial election on Thursday February 27, 2025.
#Stand Up for Steel
Trump’s Steel Tariffs Are an Attack on Hamilton Workers. Ottawa Must Act Now.
Download the response by Matthew Green, NDP MP Hamilton Centre.
February is Heart Month
February is Heart Month and a time to reflect of the importance of our cardiovascular – or heart health. Heart disease affects approximately 2.4 million Canadian adults and is the second leading cause of death in Canada.
We can all reduce our risk of heart disease by making healthy lifestyle choices. This includes quitting smoking, eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and monitoring blood pressure levels. To learn about how you can manage your risk factors for heart disease, visit the Heart and Stroke Canada website.
USW Local 1005 Election Notice
Election to be held for delegates for USW International Convention
2 delegates to elected
April 7-10, 2025
Las Vegas, Nevada
Brandon Cross
Dennis Van Meer
Ed Kowalczyk
ELECTION ON FEBRUARY 12, 2025, MEMBERSHIP MEETING
START TIME 3:40PM
Local 1005 at 350 Kenilworth Ave. N
Hamilton, Ontario
Employee Ticats Season Ticket Offer
As a current Stelco Employee, you are being offered an opportunity to purchase Tiger-Cats season tickets at an exclusive price. Please download the poster for more information.
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. Countdown to MSCI’s scholarship program opening January 1, 2025, with a deadline to submit of April 1, 2025.
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 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.
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