This occasion marked the beginning of their three-year terms and was honoured by the presence of District 3 Director, Scott Lunny, who joined to witness the transition of leadership within the Local.

The event saw retiring Local Union President, Donna Hokiro, concluding her tenure with a final act of service by administering the oath of office to the new board members. Thank you, Sister Hokiro and Brother Dick, for dedicating these years of your leadership to improving the lives of our members.

MEET YOUR NEW TABLE OFFICERS

Michael Phillips

National President

Jennifer Turner

National Vice President

Ross Brown

National Secretary-Treasurer

MEET YOUR NEW REGIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S

Neil Marshal - REO British Columbia

Richard Blais - REO Alberta

Trevor Haarsma - REO Ontario

Danis Bouffard - REO Quebec

MEET YOUR NEW TRUSTEES

Corey Mandryk

Robin Navin

Terika Peters

#TELUS HURTS FAMILIES

Burnaby, BC

Toronto, ON

Montreal, QC

STAND UP AND FIGHT! TAKE STRONG ACTION AGAINST TELUS REDEPLOYMENT

A huge thank you to USW International, Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), Toronto & York Region Labour Council, Steelworkers’ Toronto Area Council (STAC), USW Local 1998, and the Steelworkers Job Action Centre for their support and assistance in fighting these unjust decisions and unreasonable policies.

CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE

From June 9-13, 2024, our delegates from USW Local 1944 had the privilege of representing our Local at the Civil and Human Rights Conference in the vibrant city of Detroit. This event was a remarkable opportunity for our members to engage in inspiring workshops and listen to influential speakers, leaving them motivated and equipped to enhance solidarity within our Local.

The conference featured a wide range of informative and skill-building workshops. Our 18 delegates participated in sessions on setting up a civil and human rights committee, becoming allies with Indigenous or Native American members, and union action to address the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Other important topics included organizing for racial justice, state-level elections and civil rights, the experiences of young racialized workers in unions, hazard mapping, representing immigrant workers, 2SLGBTQIA+ 101 and understanding pronouns, bargaining for inclusion, and raising the bar on women’s health and safety.

A highlight of the conference was a rally at the Transcending Arch, Detroit’s monument dedicated to the labour movement. Our delegates passionately called on all Steelworkers to engage in the upcoming U.S. elections at every level, emphasizing the importance of union involvement in political processes. And as a fun and memorable moment, our group even enjoyed a Detroit Tigers baseball game, adding a touch of camaraderie and local culture to their trip.

Interested in attending a USW Conference? Continue showing interest in 1944 opportunities, including our shop steward classes and don’t forget to attend your unit meetings! 

IN THE NEWS

CELEBRATING THE PASSAGE OF BILL C-58

After 15 years of relentless advocacy, we celebrate the passage of Bill C-58, the federal anti-scab legislation, which has cleared its final hurdle in the House of Commons. This achievement changes the landscape of workers’ rights by prohibiting the use of scabs (replacement workers) during strikes and lockouts, ensuring that our voices remain strong during industrial actions. This victory results from prioritizing workers’ rights, supported by the NDP and the broader labour movement. USW Local 1944 played a crucial role, lobbying Parliament and testifying before committees. The passage of this legislation underscores the power of unity and persistence in our fight for justice. The bill passed unanimously in the House of Commons, a testament to the labour movement’s influence. As we celebrate, USW Local 1944 remains committed to advocating for its final adoption, urging the government to resist pressure from anti-worker business groups. The legislation now moves to the Senate for confirmation before receiving Royal Assent. Once enacted, it will align federal regulations with those benefiting workers in Quebec and British Columbia. This is a monumental step toward ensuring fair treatment for all workers, empowering us in our negotiations. The time for action is now. Together, we can make a lasting impact on labour relations in our country. As we celebrate this victory, let’s remain vigilant and ready to ensure these protections are fully implemented everywhere. This is a true testament to what we can achieve when we organize and fight for what is right.

A TRIBUTE TO PIERRE-LUC DICK, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 1944

Local 1944 would like to commend former Vice-President Pierre-Luc Dick on his many years of dedicated service to the Local’s membership. A member and activist for over 15 years, Pierre-Luc brought passion and principle to all of his union work, with a special concern for making sure members are legally represented to the best of the union’s ability. During his tenure of chairing the Local’s Grievance Committee, the Local made great strides in how it handled grievances and arbitrations, in large part due to his guidance. It’s no surprise then that he is now District 5’s newest Staff Representative. Congratulations Pierre-Luc and Thank You for your years of activism at 1944.

To update your contact information with USW Local 1944, please click here

USW Local 1944

5261 Lane Street

Burnaby, BC V5H 4A6

(604) 437-8601