We are the United Steelworkers, North America’s largest industrial union. We’re 1.2 million members and retirees strong in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. We proudly represent men and women who work in nearly every industry there is.
On October 15, 1962, the United Steelworkers Union was certified as the bargaining agent for all hourly-rated employees of then International Nickel Company Ltd. (Inco). Local 6500 was immediately chartered to represent the 15,000 members of the new Steelworkers Local.
The Local Union membership grew to 18,350 by 1971, but with the advent of higher rates of contracting out and heavy mechanization, and the introduction of new technology, our ranks have since been depleted to its present 2,700.
In over half a century, Local 6500 has accomplished a long list of outstanding achievements in its 57 year history and we have produced a host of remarkable leaders in fields of labour, politics, public service and education. Most notably, Local 6500 has given our Union three District 6 Directors; Dave Patterson, Leo Gerard and Wayne Fraser. Our most famous son, Leo Gerard, also served as National Director for Canada, International Secretary-Treasurer and presently as the International President of the United Steelworkers Union.
USW Local 6500 members’ workplaces stretch from Coleman Mine to the west to Garson Mine to the east; a distance of about 80 kilometers. There are six mines still active, with Creighton Mine the deepest at 8400 feet. Creighton Mine also houses the world famous Neutrino Observatory, where Steelworkers Local 2020 represents the technicians and labourers. The Copper Cliff Smelter is the largest surface plant. The massive Clarabelle Mill, Copper and Nickel Refineries complete the surface plants.
Local 6500 has also been a dedicated and caring neighbour in the Sudbury area community, and follows a tradition of serving the community.
Local 6500 Officers and members have served on the Board of Cambrian College, Hospital Boards, School Boards, City and area Councils and Greater Sudbury Council. The Local has donated to several causes, including the Cancer Treatment Centre, the Memorial Hospital expansion, a Pulmonary Function Laboratory in 1974, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan, and to food banks and various charities; most recently, $100,000 to the Maison McCullough Hospice.
FIRST AGREEMENT
In 1963, with President Don McNabb and Staff Rep Terry Mancini, Local 6500 negotiated the first collective agreement with major gains in pensions, life insurance, sickness and accident benefits and wages. For the first time in Inco history, the pension plan formed part of the collective agreement....
United Steelworkers is the largest private sector union in both Canada and North America with more than 225,000 members in Canada and more than 800,000 members continent-wide.
Local 6500 has over 2600 members in the Sudbury area alone, representing production and maintenance workers in mining, milling, smelting and refining at Vale’s Sudbury operations.
We have full-time representatives working out of the Union Hall to assist our members with issues such as Grievances, Health, Safety & Environment, WSIB, Benefits & Pensions, Employee & Family Assistance and Human Rights & Harassment.
Please feel free to drop by to speak to your Union Representatives; that’s what we’re here for!
We believe that community involvement is an integral part of the work we do, and we are proud contributors to many local non-profits and charities, including the Maison McCulloch Hospice, Sudbury Food Bank and the Elgin Street Mission, along with many others.
Local 6500 members take pride in being good neighbours and helping to build a strong, vibrant community.
