The United Steelworkers (USW) union has convened 450 members, staff, and guests in St. John’s for its triennial District 6 Conference. The event, running from Monday to Thursday, is being held at the Delta Hotels by Marriott St. John’s Conference Centre.
District 6 encompasses members from the Atlantic region and Ontario.
The conference, themed “We’re Ready,” aims to chart the district’s future course, focusing on areas such as negotiating strong contracts, organizing new workplaces, and building power through education, health and safety initiatives, and political action.
District 6 Director Myles Sullivan addressed delegates during the conference’s opening on Monday morning, which began with an Indigenous ceremony.
“This conference is an opportunity for us to come together, learn from each other, and set a strong direction for the future,” said Sullivan.
Attendees will participate in various workshops, covering topics such as women’s health and safety, gender-based violence, political action, and workplace harassment. Additionally, the conference includes a visit to Bell Island, where members will explore the union’s significant history in representing underground mine workers.
USW District 6, the union’s largest district, boasts 80,000 members across five provinces. The union has been advocating for a criminal investigation into the 2022 flash fire at the Braya Renewable Fuels refinery in Come By Chance, which resulted in one fatality and seven critical injuries. The USW has raised concerns about unsafe working conditions at the refinery since 2017.
The United Steelworkers union represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada, making it the largest private-sector union in North America with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean.
“Our goal is to ensure healthier, safer, and more respectful workplaces,” Sullivan stated. “Through strong contracts and advocacy, we strive to improve working conditions and secure fair compensation for all our members.”