The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fact that health-care workers – our “front-line heroes” – need better working conditions. It’s never been more clear: Health-care workers deserve a union!

What is a union?

A union is a group of workers banding together to improve their lives and build a better future for their families.

When you join the United Steelworkers (USW), you are never alone!

What you have to gain by joining USW

USW members enjoy better workplaces because we know our rights. Those rights are guaranteed by a legally binding contract negotiated by the union and the employer.

All USW health-care members have contracts providing a pension/retirement plan. We also negotiate improved wages, health and dental benefits, premiums for night and weekend work, uniform allowances, and a grievance process to enforce our rights.

When you’re a USW member, you get the respect you deserve.

USW Health Care Council

The USW proudly represents over 50,000 health-care workers, in long-term care homes, retirement residences, hospitals and agencies such as Canadian Blood Services.

The USW Health Care Council brings together our members who work in the sector to address our issues and concerns. We share best practices and solutions, develop programs to support our members and plan strategies to lobby governments to improve our working conditions and the health-care system.

USW: A democratic union for everyone

Joining the Steelworkers means your voice will be heard in the most democratic and progressive union in Canada.

USW members develop our own bargaining proposals, vote on our own contracts and elect our own representatives, at every level of our union.

The USW encourages members to be actively involved in our union, offering training, education and opportunities to participate to all who are interested.

Health-care workers deserve a union!

Union dues: Where do they go?

Every dollar of dues goes into representing our members:

·      Negotiating collective agreements to improve your working conditions, ensure fairness and give you a real voice on the job

·      Protecting and enforcing your rights through grievances and arbitrations

·      Ensuring safe and healthy workplaces

·      Expert representation on issues including pensions, benefits, employment insurance and workers’ compensation

·      Funding your local union operations

·      Providing training and education courses for local union leaders and members

·      Your union dues are tax deductible

Your rights

Can I legally join a union?
Yes! Labour law everywhere in Canada guarantees your right to join a union.

Can my employer threaten or fire me for organizing a union?
No. The law protects you and makes it illegal for employers to discriminate, threaten, intimidate or penalize workers in any way for exercising their right to unionize.

The value of a union contract
As a legally binding contract, your collective agreement includes a grievance process to challenge unfair and improper company decisions and behavior. If necessary, disputes are resolved through binding, third-party arbitration.

‘My employer says a union won’t help us.’
The USW is the union for better wages, fairness and a real voice at work. If joining the USW won’t help you and your colleagues, why would your employer try so hard to talk you out of it?

Health-care workers deserve a union!