Features
USW names new director for Ontario, eastern Canada
Written by Michael Cowden
October 3, 2024
The United Steelworkers (USW) union has named Kevon Stewart to be director of District 6, which represents members in Ontario and Atlantic Canada.
The USW said that appointment was effective on Oct. 1. It also noted that Stewart became the first black district director in the union – not only in Canada but in the United States as well.
“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.
Michael Cowden
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