USW names new director for Ontario, eastern Canada

“I intend to build on our union’s work by helping more workers gain union representation with the USW, bargaining industry-leading strong contracts, and continuing as the go-to organization for community partnerships,” Stewart said in a statement.

Born in St. Thomas, Jamaica, Stewart moved to Canada with his family when he was a child. He graduated from York University in Toronto and initially intended to teach, the USW said.

Stewart instead found work as a machine operator at Samuel Strapping in Scarborough, Ontario. He then went on to become the first black rank-and-file member to hold a leadership role in the USW in Canada, the union said.

Stewart succeeds Myles Sullivan, who has taken on a new role as assistant to David McCall, international president of the USW, which is based in Pittsburgh.

Note that the USW has a strong presence across North America. It has also been increasingly active in trade petitions – including one filed in September against imports of coated flat-rolled steel.