August 8, 2025
We are proud United Steelworker members and long-time administrative and bookkeeping staff who
have dedicated decades of our lives to supporting the mission and workers of the United
Steelworkers.
We write this letter not just as employees, but as fellow believers in the labour movement. We stand
for solidarity, dignity in the workplace, and lifting up, not tearing down, our fellow workers. We have
always loved being part of USW Local 1-1937. We believe in the work we do and are proud to be part
of this great union.
Many of us have been here for decades — the newest among us has over 10 years of service, while
our most senior colleague has proudly served for over 50 years! We are the ones who keep the office
running smoothly. We answer the phones when members call. We greet them at the door when they
come in for help. We handle files, keep records, and provide day-to-day support to the business
agents who are out in the field fighting for worker rights. We are a small but essential team.
But now, our employer at USW Local 1-1937 wants to roll back the very basic terms that we’ve worked
under for decades. They are demanding significant wage reductions, claw backs to our vacation,
hours of work, contracting out work and even removal of access to our pension. This is not just a slap
in the face to us — it sets a dangerous precedent for every other union with administrative staff.
If the USW Local 1-1937 rolls back wages and benefits for administrative workers, what message does
that send to the rest of the labour movement? Do we want to be known as the union that lowered
the floor? Does USW want to be known for creating a new, harmful benchmark for others to follow?
Or do we want to be the union that stood up for all workers, including our own? We’ve reached
impasse at the bargaining table after six days of negotiations. All non-monetary terms have been
agreed to but what remains are the monetary proposals, which are just a request to honour the
longstanding terms we have always had. Reasonable wage increases. Respect for our pension. Basic
dignity. We’ve now applied for mediation. But we need your help!
We’re calling on all United Steelworker locals, members, and leaders, as well as our union siblings,
especially those who also have administrative staff, to speak out! These same concessions and
contracting out of services could happen to your support staff. We believe in USW. We believe in the
labour movement. And right now, we are calling on your solidarity.
In solidarity,
B.C. Union Workers’ Union Representing USW 1-1937 Administrative Support Staff
Members of BC UWU work at the BCGEU, B.C. Health Care Coalition, Compensation Employees’ Union, CUPE Local 15, CUPE Local 1004, CUPE Local 951, CUPE Local 2278, CUPE Local 2950, CUPE Local 4163, UNITE/HERE Local 40, ILWU District Unit, Professional Employees’ Association, Teacher’s Support Staff Union, UBC Faculty Association, UVic Grad Society including Restaurant Staff, United Grain Workers Local 333, Unite HERE Local 40, UVic Faculty Association, United Steel Workers Local 1-1937
https://bcuwu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Open-Letter-to-USW-Aug-8-1.pdf