In this episode, Director Scott Lunny is joined by Randy Dillon, SOAR 3-14 member, and Jim Stanford, Economist & Director, Centre for Future Work, to talk about the importance of Steelworkers being engaged in legislative and political action. Jim Stanford discusses his recent paper “Alberta’s Disappearing Advantage: The crisis in Alberta wages, and how to fix it” and he talks about how Albertans have experienced unprecedented reductions in their incomes, their purchasing power, and their living standards. Tune in to hear this very interesting podcast discussion on why it’s important for Steelworkers to press their governments to commit to repairing and improving real wages as a top priority in its economic policy.

In this episode, Director Scott Lunny is joined by Sussanne Skidmore, President of the BC Federation of Labour and Steelworkers Catie Jones USW Local 5220 and Brandon Nicholson from USW Local 1-184 to talk about Pride Month. June is a time to celebrate what has been accomplished and to reflect on the work that still needs to be done. Tune it to learn why we must continue to strengthen human rights protection for our membership and make a strong commitment to bargain language into collective agreements to protect the rights of all our members.

In this episode, Director Scott Lunny is joined by Gabriele Simmons to talk about the USW Family Community Education Fund and how the fund supports a wide range of educational and community activities for members, families and our neighbours and allies. Earl Graham, USW District 3 Coordinator and Dennel Pickering from Local 5917 join to share their experiences with the fund and how by organizing projects is a great way to create ties with neighbours and community groups, educate members and involve new activists. Tune in to learn more about the FCEF and how your local can access funds and participate in it.

In this episode, Director Scott Lunny talks health and safety in our union and workplaces with Ed Kent (District 3 Health, Safety and Environment Co-ordinator) and Sylvia Boyce (USW National Health, Safety and Environment Co-ordinator). John Perquin shares the historic importance of Elliott Lake and how April 18th marks the 50th Anniversary of the wildcat strike that led to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Michelle Laurie joins to share her thoughts in an open discussion on the Day of Mourning, Westray, the USW’s “Stop the Killing” campaign and raising the bar on women’s health and safety.

Marty Warren, the National Director for Canada, and Meg Gingrich, the Assistant to the Canadian National Director, join Director Scott Lunny to talk about the new NDP/Liberal pharmacare plan, improvements needed to protect workers through federal anti-scab legislation, and the USW’s pay equity campaign to close the gender pay gap. The trio also talk about the Stand Up For Steel campaign to ensure the long-term health of the steel sector and the good, community-supporting jobs it provides.

USW International Vice-President at Large Roxanne Brown joins Director Scott Lunny to talk about Black History Month and our union’s proud history of promoting and supporting equality. In collaboration with is allies, we have made significant progress in raising awareness and educating our members and communities on the impact of anti-black racism, systemic racism, and oppression in our workplaces and communities. Mike Duhra, Assistant to the Director, and Reah Arora, USW Local 2009 member, talk about their experience of going to South Africa with the Steelworkers Humanity Fund and the USW Anti-Racism Committee.

Director Scott Lunny is joined by Q Gaehring, Frederique Martineau and Izzy Adachi who were instrumental in organizing Starbucks workers in B.C. and Alberta. Also joining the podcast was Maddi Genn, a young worker from the Interior of B.C. who has been working to organize. Our District 3 Next Generation Co-ordinator Deepak Kullar encourages young workers to get involved in their union and to participate in the upcoming Next Generation Conference in Pittsburgh.

Director Scott Lunny celebrates the holidays in our fourth episode with Patrick Rodrigues, our District 3 researcher. Scott and Patrick chatted with our special guests about the issues local unions face and how the union and members are helping tackle today’s workplace challenges. Joining the podcast is Mike Day President of USW Local 5890, Warren Luky President USW Local 6166 and Georgi Bates, Vice-President USW Local 2009.

Email: d3comms@usw.ca