USW mining conférence in Pittsburgh focuses on solidarity and growth

United Steelworkers Convene Mining Conference in Pittsburgh

Around 200 USW members from the United States and Canada gathered in Pittsburgh last week for the 2026 Mining Conference to sharpen their skills and reaffirm their solidarity in a turbulent yet expanding sector. International President Roxanne D. Brown welcomed the delegates by highlighting the essential minerals—including coal, copper, limestone, ore, potash, and trona—produced by thousands of USW members that feed consumer goods, electricity grids, electric vehicles, and military equipment.

Brown thanked the attendees for their long shifts, time away from family, and labor performed in heat, cold, dust, noise, and darkness, noting the skill, concentration, experience, and respect required for the work.

The Tech TL;DR:

• USW delegates from the US and Canada met last week for the 2026 Mining Conference to address sector growth and automation.
• The next sectoral meeting is scheduled for Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in 2028.

Mineral Demand Drives Union Bargaining Power

Myles Sullivan, international secretary-treasurer and mining council chair who began his career as a miner in Sudbury, Ontario, noted that this rising demand provides unionized workers with increased bargaining power. Governments in both the United States and Canada continue increasing investments in the mining sector, with operators forecasting growth and expansions to supply the rising need for minerals required by data centers, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and other technologies.

Cross-Border Solidarity Persists Amid Trade Pressures

The conference took place against the backdrop of trade tensions involving the United States and Canada, yet union leadership emphasized strong economic and personal ties between workers on both sides of the border.

Cathy Drummond, District 11 director and Mining Council secretary, moderated the panel discussion featuring Maltais and Cameron from Local 11-0001.

Strikes at Sibanye-Stillwater and Raglan Mine

Participants gave a standing ovation to representatives of Local 11-0001, who initiated an unfair labor practice strike against Sibanye-Stillwater in September. Andrew Cameron, recording secretary for Local 11-0001, noted that the company sought to reduce bonuses and healthcare benefits for roughly 420 workers at the Stillwater mine and Columbus metallurgical complex. Guillaume Maltais, president of Local 9449, recounted a 15-week strike by 630 workers at Glencore’s Raglan mine in Quebec in 2022, emphasizing that high solidarity and effective communication were vital to achieving a resolution despite logistical hurdles.

Delegates Attend Workshops on Automation and Suicide Prevention

Delegates participated in workshops covering artificial intelligence, automation, building energy production, responsible mining, and suicide prevention. Sharen Brownson, president of Local 9422 representing Impala Canada’s Lac des Îles palladium mine workers in Ontario, noted the value of cross-operation networking. Sullivan announced that the next sectoral conference will take place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in 2028, establishing an alternating schedule between the United States and Canada.

USW members will continue this collaboration at future conferences, and a photo gallery of the mining conference is available online. Surface maintenance workers at the Musselwhite gold mine in Ontario joined the USW last year, and the union continues organizing efforts across states and provinces.