Steelworkers and UTU Sign Strategic Alliance

The United Steelworkers'(USW) National Director Ken Neumann, and Tim Secord, Canadian Legislative Director for the United Transportation Union (UTU), have announced that the two unions have agreed to a strategic alliance to address a range of common issues in the transportation sector in Canada and the US, including the globalization of the industry. Both USW and UTU are affiliates of the Manitoba Federation of Labour.

"This is neither a merger nor an affiliation arrangement," said Neumann. "Each of our unions retains its independence and autonomy, but we will work together more closely to share resources where there is mutual advantage, and to team up on a number of public policy issues."

"Our work now is integrated with the North American transportation system and beyond," said Secord. "We look forward to developing joint initiative, building capacity, strength and sharing resources with the USW."

UTU has a history in Canada dating back to 1883, representing rail and bus industry employees. The USW represents more than 288,000 men and women working in every sector of Canada's economy, including about 40,000 workers in the rail, air, marine, taxi and trucking industries. The UTU has about 5,000 members in Canada.

Internationally, the USW represents over 850,000 workers, while the UTU represents about 77,000 workers in the rail, bus and airline industries throughout North America.