The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is contributing $229,750 to 112 food banks across Canada in 2019. Locally USW Local 1-405 and all of it members are distributing donations from this fund to our local food banks in both the East and West Kootenay.

Our members contribute to the Humanity Fund through the Collective Agreements negotiated and is an ongoing benefit in our communities. Commonly the employees will contribute based on the number of hours that the individual works.

These donations are very important to our members, as we all are community members first and foremost. USW Local 1-405 represent a large diversified group of members in both the East and West Kootenay and we are a strong group of community advocates.

In the image above: Making donations to the Kimberley Food Bank on behalf of the United Steelworkers is current City of Kimberley Chairperson Ilo Van Gilder and retired member of KSCU Pat Ross presenting cheque to Heather Smith of the Helping Hands Food Bank.

Below: Making the donation to the Cranbrook Food Bank are members from the East Kootenay Community Credit Union, left to right Norma Kroeger, Jen Neil, Gerry Oviatt (Cranbrook Food Bank), Sheri Haarstad and Tobi Cumming.

“At this time every year, we are reminded that social inequalities are growing in Canada,” said Ken Neumann, President of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund. “As the holiday season approaches, Steelworkers from all over the country, through the Steelworkers Humanity Fund, join together to support food banks and other organizations in our communities.”

Founded in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization that focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries, but also supports Canadian communities. USW members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements. In some cases employers make matching contributions to the fund.

Photos submitted

USW 1-405

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