D3 USW Strong as Steel Podcast

In this episode of the Strong as Steel Podcast, host Scott Lunny, USW District 3 Director, sits down with two emerging activists and leaders in USW District 3, Maddi Genn and Dexter Hunlin to talk about getting involved, finding your voice and building a stronger and more inclusive union. As June marks Pride Month, the conversation explores the role of 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion, allyship and equity wit...

In Episode 30, USW District 3 Director Scott Lunny speaks with Chris Gallaway from Friends of Medicare about growing threats to public health care in Alberta. The conversation talks about the Alberta government’s push toward privatization, two-tier health care and expanded private insurance, and what it could mean for workers, rural communities, bargaining and Canada’s public Medicare system. Chri...

In Episode 29 of the Strong as Steel podcast, USW District 3 Director Scott Lunny sits down with Meg Gingrich to discuss the state of Canada’s steel sector and the growing importance of protecting domestic industry. They dive into the Stand Up for Steel conference and lobby days in Ottawa, where Steelworkers from across Canada came together to push for stronger trade protections, Buy Canadian proc...

In this episode of the Strong as Steel podcast, USW District 3 Director Scott Lunny sits down with International Women of Steel Director Randie Pearson and District 3 Women of Steel Co-ordinator Tara Cavanagh to talk about the growing impact of the Women of Steel program. They discuss the program’s roots, how it empowers women across the union and the work being done to advance health and safety,...

In this episode of the Strong as Steel Podcast, Scott Lunny, USW District 3 Director, sits down with longtime labour leader Rob Ashton, the National President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, to talk about his campaign to lead the New Democratic Party of Canada. This candid conversation dives into: -The 2023 longshore strike and the federal government’s use of Section 107...

Content note: This episode includes discussion of gender-based violence which maybe triggering to some. This special Strong as Steel Elevating Action episode is hosted by White Ribbon and the Canadian Football League Players Association (CFLPA), in partnership with the United Steelworkers union (USW). In this episode, Zoey James, Senior Program Manager at White Ribbon, sits down with Andrew Peirso...

In this special Grey Cup edition of Strong as Steel, Scott Lunny is joined by two powerhouse leaders for an engaging, wide-ranging conversation about the strength that comes from working together. Filmed live at CFLPA Headquarters in Winnipeg, this episode brings together David Mackie, Executive Director of the CFL Players Association, and Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. Tog...

In this episode, USW District 3 Director Scott Lunny talks two tough but inspiring strikes in British Columbia. He’s joined by members from USW Local 1-405 at StellerVista Credit Union in Castlegar and Slocan Park, and USW Local 1944, Unit 60, at Rogers Communications in Abbotsford. The conversation highlights the unique struggles of small bargaining units of just 11 workers at the credit union an...

Director Scott Lunny and coordinator Tracey Phan are joined by summer students Elisha, Hazel, Micah and Juliana from Winnipeg to share their experiences in the Steelworkers Summer Program. From attending the National Gathering of Indigenous Steelworkers to union courses, workplace tours and self-directed projects, they reflect on lessons learned, advice for future participants and the power of sol...

In this special two-part, multilingual episode of the Strong as Steel Podcast, host Scott Lunny, USW District 3 Director, welcomes guests from across the globe to talk about international solidarity in the mining sector. This episode highlights the work of the International Miners Network, which brings together unions representing Newmont Mine workers from Canada, Australia, Argentina, Peru and Me...

In Episode 21 of the Strong as Steel podcast, host Scott Lunny sits down with USW District 12 Director Gaylan Prescott and special guest Angelina DeRosa to explore the power of solidarity across borders. Angelina shares her journey from neuroscience to the labour movement, reflecting on her time with the United Steelworkers and the supportive, people-centred values that shaped her experience. Dire...

In this special Pride Month episode of the Strong as Steel Podcast, host Scott Lunny (he/him), USW District 3 Director, is joined by Sarah Konig (she/her), District 3 staff member and bookkeeper, and Brett Barden (he/him), USW District 3’s Communications and Political Action Co-ordinator, for a powerful conversation on what Pride means within the labour movement. Together, they unpack the roots of...

In this episode of the USW District 3 Strong as Steel Podcast, Director Scott Lunny sits down with USW International organizers Maria Somma and Mariana Padias for a conversation on the future of labour organizing. They dive into the strategy behind building union strength in key sectors like mining and telecommunications, the importance of community engagement, and the unique challenges of organiz...

In this episode of The Strong as Steel Podcast, host USW District 3 Director Scott Lunny dives into the pressing issue of trade tariffs and their impact on Canadian workers. Joined by Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske and Guio Jacinto from the USW Research, Public Policy and Bargaining Support Department, the discussion unpacks the latest threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, the e...

In this episode of the Strong as Steel Podcast, Director Scott Lunny tackles the urgent fight for washroom dignity in the workplace. Scott is joined by Dayna Sykes, USW District 3’s Education Co-ordinator, and Ed Kent, USW District 3’s Health, Safety and Environment Co-ordinator, to break down the Make Shit Better campaign, highlighting the barriers workers face when trying to access safe, clean a...

Happy New Year! In our first Strong as Steel podcast of 2025, Scott Lunny discusses the current state of the forest sector with guests Jeff Bromley, USW Wood Council Chair, and Phil Ducharme, USW 1-417 president.  This episode explores the current challenges in the forest sector across Canada, the impact of mill closures on communities and the challenges of government policies and market fluctuati...

Join USW District 3 Director Scott Lunny for a holiday edition of the podcast as we reflect on the many highlights of 2024. Scott celebrates the work that defined this year for members across District 3. Looking ahead, Scott shares insights into 2025, setting the stage for another exciting year of progress and solidarity. Don’t miss this episode to close out the year!

Join Director Scott Lunny and Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck for a conversation on the future of Saskatchewan politics. Time and again, Carla has proven she is on our side. While other parties ignore us, the Saskatchewan NDP has proven they will fight for our jobs and stick up for working families. We don’t need cuts to services, we need cuts to costs. We need investment in the things that mat...

Join Director Scott Lunny and Premier David Eby as they discuss the evolving political landscape in British Columbia and highlight key achievements of the BC NDP government in advancing workers' rights. The conversation delves into the challenges facing the forestry sector, including the impact of Canfor sawmill closures, while also discussing new opportunities in mining and critical minerals...

In our season one finale episode, Director Scott Lunny is joined by Tamara Marshall (USW Local 2009 financial secretary), Michael Phillips USW Local 1944 president) and Mitch Winterton (USW Local 7106 president to discuss the important work their amalgamated local unions are doing and the importance of membership and community engagement. Note: this episode was recorded in June before the recent a...

In this episode, Director Scott Lunny is joined by Randy Dillon, SOAR 3-14 member, and Jim Stanford, Economist & Director, Centre for Future Work, to talk about the importance of Steelworkers being engaged in legislative and political action. Jim Stanford discusses his recent paper “Alberta’s Disappearing Advantage: The crisis in Alberta wages, and how to fix it” and he talks about how Alberta...

In this episode, Director Scott Lunny is joined by Sussanne Skidmore, President of the BC Federation of Labour and Steelworkers Catie Jones USW Local 5220 and Brandon Nicholson from USW Local 1-184 to talk about Pride Month. June is a time to celebrate what has been accomplished and to reflect on the work that still needs to be done. Tune it to learn why we must continue to strengthen human rights...

In this episode, Director Scott Lunny is joined by Gabriele Simmons to talk about the USW Family Community Education Fund and how the fund supports a wide range of educational and community activities for members, families and our neighbours and allies. Earl Graham, USW District 3 Coordinator and Dennel Pickering from Local 5917 join to share their experiences with the fund and how by organizing p...

In this episode, Director Scott Lunny talks health and safety in our union and workplaces with Ed Kent (District 3 Health, Safety and Environment Co-ordinator) and Sylvia Boyce (USW National Health, Safety and Environment Co-ordinator). John Perquin shares the historic importance of Elliott Lake and how April 18th marks the 50th Anniversary of the wildcat strike that led to the Occupational Health...

Marty Warren, the National Director for Canada, and Meg Gingrich, the Assistant to the Canadian National Director, join Director Scott Lunny to talk about the new NDP/Liberal pharmacare plan, improvements needed to protect workers through federal anti-scab legislation, and the USW’s pay equity campaign to close the gender pay gap. The trio also talk about the Stand Up For Steel campaign to ensure...