The United Steelworkers (USW) union and the University of Toronto have launched a new research chair focused on collective bargaining and worker representation, marking a significant collaboration between labour and academia.
The USW/Leo Gerard Chair in Collective Bargaining and Worker Representation will reside at the university’s Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources. The initiative aims to deepen understanding of work and employment issues among unions, employers, policymakers, and other stakeholders in Canada and internationally.
Named after Leo Gerard, the USW’s former International President, the chair recognizes his decades-long contributions to advancing workers’ rights. Gerard, originally from Creighton Mine, Ont., led the international union from 2001 to 2019 and was instrumental in addressing workplace health and safety, labour rights, and gender equality across North America.
Speaking at the launch event held at the University of Toronto’s Hart House, Rafael Gomez, director of the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources, described the initiative as a landmark for the study of labour relations. “Honouring Leo Gerard through this chair in collective bargaining and worker representation is not only a fitting tribute to a great labour leader but also a testament to the University of Toronto’s commitment to the field of labour relations,” said Gomez.
Kevon Stewart, USW District 6 director for Ontario and Atlantic Canada, highlighted Gerard’s legacy, saying, “Leo Gerard has been a creative and innovative leader, always finding ways to advance the cause of working people. Over and over again, he has asked all of us to rise to the occasion, and our union is better off for his decades of efforts.”
The chair was established through a fundraising campaign co-chaired by key figures in labour and business, including former USW National Director Ken Neumann and Bedrock Industries CEO Alan Kestenbaum. Supporters hope the position will foster dialogue and research that enhances the future of collective bargaining in Canada and abroad.
The Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources, established in 1965, has a long history of conducting interdisciplinary research on workplace and employment issues. It joins the USW, which represents 225,000 members in Canada and 850,000 across North America, in advancing labour relations research and advocacy.