About Us

On September 1, 2004, I.W.A. Canada merged with the United Steelworkers of America.  This process was concluded following a referendum ballot of the I.W.A. Canada membership across Canada. 

The Industrial, Wood and Allied Workers (I.W.A.) had an history that spanned over 60 years.  It was founded as the International Woodworkers of America in 1937 when it was a union that represented loggers and millworkers in Canada and the United States.  Up to September 2004 the I.W.A. represented nearly 50,000 members in Local Unions across the country.  Although forest industry workers remain the foundation of our membership, we represent thousands of working people employed in other industrial service sectors of the Canadian economy.

As part of the negotiated merger an USWA / IWA Council was created.  The features of the composition and structure of the Council are as follows:

1. The Council’s jurisdiction shall be comprised of all former I.W.A. Local Unions and their current and future certified operations and bargaining units covered by Collective Agreements.
2. For purposes, issues and events related to the forestry and wood products sector, all USWA Local units in Canada and the U.S.A. whose members are employed in forestry, woodworking and related industries would be invited to be involved in Council activities.
3. The Chair of the Council would be elected.  Norm Rivard, former President of I.W.A. Canada, assumed the position.
4. The Council would hold conferences as agreed upon by Council members.

Following the merger, former I.W.A. Locals maintained the by-laws of their Local Unions.

USW Union Structure

International Officers and Executive Board

• International President
• International Secretary-Treasurer
• International Vice President (Administrator)
• International Vice President (Human Affairs)
• National Director for Canada
• District Director for each District

Term of Office and How Elected

Term of office is four (4) years.  All members of The United Steelworkers in good standing vote to elect International Officers.  Canadians only elect National Director for Canada and each District elects their own District Director.

Number of Districts

There are 12 Districts within the International Union.

Local Union Officers

• President
• Vice-President
• Recording Secretary
• Financial Secretary
• Guards (1 Inside & 1 Outside)
• Trustees (3)

Amalgamated Local Union Officers

Unit-Chairperson
Unit-Secretary   

Term of Office and How Elected

All Local Union Officers, Unit-Officers and Grievance Committee Members are elected for a term of three (3) years.  Article VII, Section 8 and see also Part II of
By-Laws for Local Unions.

United Steelworkers Anti-Harassment Policy

Steelworker members are entitled to a harassment free environment at all union activities, events and meetings.

There are two principles fundamental to the labour movement: human rights and solidarity.  Harassment strikes at the heart of both.

Steelworkers will not tolerate nor condone behaviour that is likely to undermine the dignity or self-esteem of an individual, or which creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.  As Steelworkers we must speak out against harassment and stand together to protect human rights.

Harassment is not a joke.  It is an expression of perceived power by the harasser over another person, usually for reasons over which the victim has little or no control.  Prohibited grounds under Human Rights Codes across Canada can include sex, race, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, political or religious beliefs, and place of national origin.

Harassment can be defined as any action (verbal, psychological or physical) on a single or repeated basis which humiliates, insults or degrades and is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome by the victim of the harassment.

Harassment can include but is not limited to: unwanted comments, slurs, racist or sexist jokes, pictures or posters, bullying or intimidation, graffiti, physical contact of any kind, remarks about a person’s appearance or personal life, unwelcome sexual advances or demands, suggestive looks or gestures.

Steelworkers take harassment complaints seriously.  Complaints of harassment at Steelworker activities will be investigated by one of our anti-harassment complaints counsellors and reported to the Canadian National Director for any necessary follow-up.  A substantiated complaint will result in action by the Union, which could include the removal of the harasser from the event.  A letter outlining the reasons for removal will be sent to the Local Union.

“We can’t make people like each other.  But we can, through concrete action, promote tolerance and mutual respect in our union.”