The seeds of this great union were planted in the late 1800s by our fathers and mothers, our grandparents, our great-grandparents and so on. They were seeds of commitment, solidarity and a common interest to fight for better conditions for workers everywhere. Through wars and recessions, good times and bad times, we established our family roots: better wages, job security, reasonable hours and safer working conditions. Thanks to the strength and activism of our members, our branches reached out to lead movements to stop child labor, provide aid to injured workers, fight for retirees, stand up for civil and human rights and so much more. Today, we are a strong union, bold and proud. We continue to believe in better, and together, we are still standing up and fighting back for everyone. Review highlights of our proud history by clicking on the decades in the timeline below.
The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) established its own organizing committee for paperworkers.
Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC) forms.
Union signs first contract, with Carnegie-Illinois Steel, for $5 a day wage and benefits.
"Little Steel" strike, called to organize workers at Bethlehem, Jones & Laughlin, National and other companies, results in police riots, attacks on workers by company guards and other hardship for steelworkers, yet ultimately leads to successful organization of these companies and confirms validity of the National Labor Relations Act.
Delegates to SWOC convention in Cleveland create United Steelworkers of America and elect Philip Murray, chairman of SWOC, as first USWA President and approve geographic districts 1- 39.
Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel & Tin Workers merges with USWA.
Aluminum Workers of America merges with USWA.
USWA holds first secret-ballot referendum for international officers, district directors, and national director for Canada. Murray elected USWA president.
Steelworkers in Hamilton, Ontario, win historic strike for union recognition at Steel Company of Canada (now Stelco), using solidarity, organization, and political and community support to overcome more than 1,000 company scabs and firmly establish the USWA as the predominant union in Hamilton.
USWA wins first company-funded pension plan for workers in contract with Bethlehem Steel.