United Steelworkers Oppose Proposed Labour Code Changes

TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The United Steelworkers union has issued a strong statement against proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code, emphasizing that the right to strike is non-negotiable. National Director Marty Warren stated that the right to strike is a "red line" and that Section 107 should be repealed rather than rewritten to allow government intervention in legal strikes.

Warren highlighted that the proposed bill grants the labour minister extraordinary discretion to override workers' fundamental right to strike without a vote or prior approval by Parliament. This, he argued, undermines the effectiveness of economic pressure as a counterbalance to employer power. "That weakens collective bargaining."

The USW, representing 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and 850,000 members in North America, is deeply concerned about these changes. Warren emphasized that workers' fundamental rights are not a trade-off and that the government's failure to listen to the union's concerns is a significant issue.

The union's position is clear: the right to strike is a cornerstone of workers' ability to negotiate fair and equitable terms of employment. Any attempt to weaken this right, according to Warren, is a step in the wrong direction.

The USW's stance reflects a broader concern among labour organizations about the potential impact of these changes on the collective bargaining process. The union's members are united in their opposition to any measures that could undermine their ability to strike legally and effectively.