If something feels off, The Tech Union helps workers understand their options — and protect job security, predictability, and working conditions, without going it alone.
where better gets built
real change happens when workers understand their rights and work together.
decades of experience built for today’S tech workforce
For decades, the United Steelworkers has represented technicians and skilled workers across telecommunications, manufacturing, and other technology-driven sectors.
Today, that experience matters more than ever. As work is reshaped by automation, outsourcing, and constant change, tech workers are turning to organizations with the knowledge to protect job security, fairness, and working conditions
Every year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW — not to make noise, but to gain stability, a collective voice, and clear agreements that set expectations for pay, safety, and respect at work.
tech workplaces where Workers are already represented
HOW WILL A UNION IMPROVE MY WORKPLACE?
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Technological changes to how work is done don’t have to mean constant uncertainty.
Unionized workers operate under clear agreements that define how layoffs, discipline, and evolving working conditions are handled. That clarity brings transparency, predictability, and fairness to the workplace.
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When workers act together, they’re able to negotiate from a position of strength.
Union representation recognizes that trust matters, but it also puts protections in place when you can’t depend on goodwill alone.
Clear processes help ensure pay, safety, and job security issues are handled fairly, with experienced support if workers face discipline, termination, or workplace harassment.
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The last few years have shown how exposed workers are to inflation.
When wages don’t keep pace, the impact is felt immediately. Through collective bargaining, unionized workers are able to address these issues at the negotiating table so pay keeps up as costs rise. Some agreements include cost-of-living adjustments that automatically respond when inflation increases.
Data from Statistics Canada shows that unionized workers typically earn about 10-15% more than their non-unionized counterparts.
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Long hours and unpredictable schedules take a real toll over time.
When workers negotiate together, expectations around overtime, scheduling, and pay are clearly defined, including how work outside normal hours is handled. That clarity makes it easier to plan life outside of work and ensures extra time and effort are recognized fairly.
A strong union helps establish boundaries that support healthier work patterns, greater job satisfaction, and pride in the work itself.
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When employers look to cut costs, benefits are an all too common target. Our families rely on consistent benefits to navigate the ups and downs. If a benefit that was there yesterday suddenly disappears, it can be quite traumatic and leave us scrambling.
Unionized employees often get better benefits like enhanced medical coverage, pensions, and paid leave. When protected by negotiated agreements, benefits cannot be cut on a whim by management.
Advantages of Forming a Union
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Job Security
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Higher Wages
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Reliable Benefits
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Better Working Conditions
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A Collective Voice
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Workplace Legal Protection
You deserve better.
What would “better” actually look like at your workplace?
YOU ARE PROTECTED WHEN WORKers act together
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You can discuss unionizing with your co-workers during non-working hours, including breaks, at lunch, before and after your shift.
This includes:
Holding meetings to discuss the merits of unionizing
Distributing informational union materials outside of the workplace
Handing out and signing union cards outside of working hours
Lodging a formal complaint, with union support, if your employer has violated Canadian labour law
Voting in favour of forming a union without employer interference
Remaining free from any employer interference regarding your decision to join a union
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Asking for your opinion about the union
Threatening union supporters
Offering preferential treatment (such as raises or better hours) to those opposing the union
Preventing employees from organizing a union outside of work hours
Distributing anti-union materials to influence employees’ decisions
USW Local 1944 is available to answer any questions about your rights. You can contact a union organizer at any time. We are here to help.
Build a better workplace
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A Union Organizer will work with you to build a clear plan for connecting with your co-workers and discussing the challenges you face at work.
Together, you’ll identify shared concerns and explore how forming a union can help workers improve their conditions.
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Talk with your co-workers about the issues you experience at work and what meaningful improvements could look like.
Over time, these conversations help clarify which concerns are widely shared and whether a majority of your colleagues support forming a union at your workplace.
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Workers connect with one another to make sure concerns are widely shared and understood. With guidance from a Union Organizer, people decide whether unionizing makes sense for them.
When a majority of workers are ready, they sign union cards to formally indicate support for forming a union.
Signing a union card is strictly confidential.
Your employer is never told who has signed or given access to these cards.
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Once enough union cards have been signed, our legal team will file an application to certify the union with the appropriate Labour Relations Board.
Depending on factors such as whether your workplace is regulated provincially or federally, a formal vote to unionize may be required.
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When a union card count or certification vote confirms that your workplace has chosen to unionize, the Labour Relations Board formally recognizes the union.
From that point forward, the United Steelworkers becomes your official representative at work, and the employer is legally notified of that decision.
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Experienced United Steelworkers negotiators support you and your co-workers as your first collective agreement is negotiated. Union members decide what to negotiate, with priorities set democratically by workers themselves.
When the union’s bargaining committee reaches a tentative agreement with your employer, workers vote on whether to accept it. This process is called ratification. When more than 50% vote in favour, the contract is ratified.
Members do not pay union dues until a collective agreement is in place.
HEAR FROM WORKERS WHO’VE BEEN THERE
You have the legal right to Unionize your workplace.
The right to form a union is protected under Canadian law.
Some employers may resist unionizing efforts. Knowing your rights matters.
If your employer violates these rights during the unionizing process, contact your USW Union Organizer immediately. These conversations should take place outside of work hours.
You are not required to navigate this process alone.
FOR WORKERS, THERE IS real sTRENGTH IN NUMBERS
The United Steelworkers is one of the largest private sector Unions in North America with more than 225,000 Unionized members in Canada alone.
The United Steelworkers represents hundreds of thousands of technicians and skilled workers
across Canada and North America, spanning every major industry.
Each year, thousands of workers choose the United Steelworkers for its proven ability to secure better wages, benefits, and pensions, and to protect dignity, safety, and respect at work through strong, enforceable agreements.
this is where
better gets built.
Send us a quick message – it’s completely confidential.
When you’re ready, the next step is yours.
A union organizer will connect with you soon.