The United Steelworkers union (USW) installed a historic slate of leaders Monday, led by new International President Roxanne Brown and National Director for Canada Marty Warren.
Roxanne Brown becomes the 10th International President of the USW, North America’s largest industrial union since its founding in 1942. Elected last fall, she replaces David McCall, who did not seek re-election after serving as the USW’s international president since September 2023.
Brown is the first woman and the first person of colour to lead the Steelworkers union. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in White Plains, N.Y., she has served as USW International Vice-President since 2019.
A passionate advocate widely admired for her strategic work on behalf of USW members, Brown joined the union’s Legislative and Policy Department in Washington, D.C., 27 years ago. As she rose through the USW’s ranks, she put working families at the centre of the conversations around health care, jobs, manufacturing, retirement security, trade, workplace safety and other issues.
Brown’s testimony before state legislatures, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. International Trade Commission, regulatory agencies and international forums helped to position the USW as a champion of preserving good union jobs in North America and a leading voice for working people.
“It’s our job in the labour movement to meet the moment – to organize, to educate and to lead the fight for real economic justice,” Brown said.
“Workers are hungry for real and lasting change, and our union stands ready to help them deliver it.”
Monday’s ceremony saw Marty Warren sworn into his second term as the USW’s National Director for Canada, a position he has held since 2022. He previously served nine years as the union’s District 6 Director, representing members in Ontario and Atlantic Canada.
“Members of our union and workers across our country are facing unprecedented challenges and economic upheaval caused by Donald Trump’s senseless tariffs and trade war,” Warren said.
“We’re fighting back with cross-border solidarity among Steelworkers leaders and activists on both sides of the border who understand that these tariffs are harmful to workers and communities in both our countries,” he said.