The latest news for you

LOCAL UNION DELEGATED MEETING

Every three years, delegates from across Canada come together for the Local Union Delegated Meeting (LUDM). The LUDM is the highest governing body of our Local Union and is where delegates debate important issues, establish policy, amend our By-Laws, and help set the direction of Local 1944 for the years ahead.

The next LUDM will be March 2-4, 2027 in Vancouver. The first part of the process, perhaps the most important, is to elect who will represent each unit. The elected members i.e. the delegates, ensure that each unit – or area of work – has a voice in discussions happening at the LUDM. Once the nomination period has closed, a one-member, one-vote election will take place to determine each Unit’s delegate(s).

Nominations are open from September 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026.

Units are entitled to either 1, 2 or 3 delegates depending on the size of your unit, as outlined in our By-Laws.

You can nominate a member in two ways:

Email: nominations@usw1944.ca (Please include full name, Unit, contact information.)

In person: from the floor at your next Unit meeting.

FIND YOUR NEXT UNIT MEETING HERE

If you have questions about the process or the LUDM, send an email to the Union Office

AN EDUCATED MEMBERSHIP IS A STRONG MEMBERSHIP

Webinars are a great way for our members to connect across the country, in the comfort of their home. They’re an opportunity for the Local to hold information sessions that provide valuable education. When members know their rights, the tools available to them and how to use them, we level the playing field and defeat the narrative that as workers, we have no voice.

Through education, we can become stronger as a unit.

Check out our next available online sessions below and sign up for the ones that interest you! No experience is needed to participate.

Bargaining 101:

This evening session is designed to help members better understand the collective bargaining process from start to finish and the roles of the Members, Bargaining Committees and Employers.

Next available dates:

September 9

4:30 PM PST / 5:30 PM MST / 7:30 PM EST

September 28

7:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM MST

Sign-up here

Resolutions:

This course is an overview on how resolutions give you a real voice, what they are and how they can be used as a tool to improve your working conditions. More specifically, this course will focus on how to write resolutions in preparation for the upcoming LUDM.

Next available date:

Wednesday, September 16 – 6:00 PM PST / 7:00 PM MST

Sign-up here

Shop Steward Training:

This 3-day online course, is a great opportunity to build your knowledge and confidence as an activist. You'll learn about your collective agreement, member representation, investigations, grievances, and how Shop Stewards support their coworkers.

If you are scheduled to work during the training times, you can attend on Union Time Off (UTO) and receive your full wages.

Next Session:

October 20 - 22 - 8am - 4pm PST / 9am - 5pm MST / 11am - 7pm EST

Sign-up here. Deadline to sign-up for this session is September 15.

STEELWORKER SOLIDARITY

Having members across the nation is a point of pride for Local 1944. Across all three USW districts in Canada, there is a common goal of creating a better future for all workers. We might have different governments, different districts, different jobs and roles, but one thing remains the same – our solidarity!

Let’s take a look at what’s happening in members provinces:

British Columbia - District 3:

Damaging Wildfires across Canada are becoming more common, affecting our communities health, homes, safety and security. We wanted to highlight the recent devastation in BC, as some of our members were directly impacted. The reality of the devastating impact to the communities we love and live in is heartbreaking, and our thoughts go out to everyone that is affected.

In their continued effort to put their solidarity for respect to human and workers rights into action, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) has donated a total of $50,000 to wildfire support Organizations in Northwestern Ontario and British Columbia to support individuals, families and communities affected by this summer's wildfires.

Families have lost their family homes, including Jeff Gaudiuso's from Unit 22 in Summerland, BC. A GoFundMe has been set up for his family here.

The unknown hazards in these unprecedented times is alarming. Here are some resources that can help us navigate this difficult time:

For up to date Reports - BC Dashboard

To get prepared in case of an emergency

The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System

Anyone wishing to donate to the Canadian Red Cross Wildfire Appeal Fund can become a donor here.

Ontario - District 6:

Earlier this year, the National Women of Steel Conference was held in Toronto. This four-day conference was an opportunity for WOS to build skills and tools to be advocates and leaders. It aimed to strengthen the labour movement and help local unions better serve and represent their members. Women of Steel Committees are strong advocates for fairness and equality and as part of their mandate they can:

Lobby for legislative improvements and change
Act as mentors to young, newly active and newly organized women
Reach out to and work with women's organizations in the community
Provide a safe environment for women to discuss current workplace, community or personal issues and strategies for change.

If you are a Women of Steel and want to get more involved, contact Local 1944's WOS Committee here.

Quebec - District 5:

The provincial election campaign has started and the election must be held by October 5, 2026. Currently, members in Quebec are dealing with a Government that is unfriendly to labour and seemingly intent on weakening workers rights through a series of bills. One such bill that has already passed is Bill 89 - it allows the provincial government to limit strikes, define essential services, and force disputes into binding arbitration. This bill brings further imbalance between workers and their employers in QC.

Click here for more information on Élections Québec

Alberta - District 3:

At the beginning of summer, thousands of workers across Alberta, led by the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) came together in a province-wide Day of Protest to exercise their democratic rights. Recent actions and decisions made by the provincial government have demonstrated a clear need to push back against a series of attacks on workers and human rights that is manufacturing division.

In light of the upcoming referendum on October 19, USW District 3, with Unifor and CUPE Alberta, organized the Labour Votes School Fall sessions. These sessions will prepare activists to have meaningful member-to-member conversations and create more informed decisions that can ultimately have an impact on the entire country.

To learn more about Labour Votes School happening in Edmonton and Calgary, visit here.

For members in Alberta wishing to participate, please sign-up here.

BE CURIOUS!

Get to know more about

Rachel Worley here.

For the past 10 months, Rachel Worley, one of 1944's Local Union Representatives for BC, has been interning as USW Staff Representative for District 3 to represent and defend workers in the whole district - comprising of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest, and Nunavut Territories.

The Local is proud to see her hard work, activism, and dedication towards members recognized by the District. When asked how she would encourage others, she invites members to "try something out" because with all the options available, "you'll find something that works for you."

CHECK OUT OUR COMMITTEES HERE

IN MEMORIAM - BRIAN DOBBIN

USW Local 1944 would like to remember long-time TWU steward and activist Brian Dobbin who passed away in June. Brian worked in the Lower Mainland of BC at the CT&S department of BCTel and Telus, a proud Union member since 1981, and a steward since 1993. Brian participated in many aspects of Union and workplace communities, including the BC Tel Choir. We recognize Brian’s many years of service to his coworkers, and his long tenure as a strong member of our Union.

TELUS BARGAINING IS COMING

Having a voice at the table may be the most valuable tool for our union. As opposed to the LUDM, which focuses on the direction of the Local as a whole, bargaining a collective agreement with your employer focuses more on day to day, work and life, balance. Our goal is to keep members informed and up to date at each step of the process.

Take a look at the latest reel from the 2027 Telus Bargaining Committee: