Leo Gerard, former international Steelworkers president, has died

Former Steelworkers president Leo Gerard, a 'union giant' who rose from a Sudbury miner to lead United Steelworkers International, has died.

Leo Gerard, who was one of the best-known labour leaders in the world, has died, his family has announced.

Gerard died Sunday surrounded by his family. He was 78.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Leo W. Gerard,” his obituary said.

“At this time, the family is grieving privately together and asks for support and understanding as they remember Leo in their own ways. There will be no services at this time. If you feel moved to make a donation in Leo’s honor, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Society.”

Longest-tenured USW president

Gerard was president of the United Steelworkers from 2001 until his retirement in July 2019 as the longest-tenured president in union’s history.

He served the union in numerous leadership roles throughout a career spanning more than 50 years, which began at the age of 18 at a nickel smelter in Sudbury.

“It’s a humbling experience, especially when I think about my background,” Gerard said in 2020, when scholarships were established in his name at Laurentian University.

“I spent a long time trying to get myself demoted so I could be steady days at Inco and I could go to school at night. I wanted to be an economist. The union gave me an offer for a job and I wasn’t able to finish the work on my degree to be an economist, which is probably a good thing.”

Sudbury MPP Jamie West paid tribute to Gerard on social media, saying he was known as President Gerard across the world, “but in Sudbury, we call him Leo.”

“He was approachable, likeable and strong-willed,” West said.

“He was a powerful speaker and a determined fighter. He cursed like a sailor, and he dedicated his life to making life better for the working class.”

“Leo Gerard spent his entire life fighting for workers across the world, and his impact on the USW, and the global labour movement, has been immeasurable,” USW International President David McCall said in a news release.

“He inspired countless other workers to carry on the fight for justice and fairness. He will be missed, but we intend to honor his legacy by continuing that work.”

Gerard was born in Creighton Mine, Ont., a Sudbury-area “company town” established by mining giant Inco Ltd, the USW said.

Worked for Inco at age 18

Following in the footsteps of his father, a union organizer, he went to work for Inco at age 18. He soon got involved in United Steelworkers Local 6500, and quickly rose up the union’s leadership ladder.

After reaching the position of chief steward of his 7,000-member local union, the USW hired him to a staff job in 1977.

He went on to become the union’s Ontario Director, Canadian National Director and then International Secretary-Treasurer, leading to his installation as international president in 2001.

“Throughout his tenure, Gerard sought to grow the union through organizing new workers, orchestrating mergers with other labor organizations, and building strategic alliances with allies across North America and around the world,” the US said.

“Gerard oversaw the USW’s 2005 merger with the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union – which made the USW the largest industrial union in North America – and was instrumental in the formation of the Blue-Green Alliance, a powerful labour-environmental partnership, in 2006.”

“Leo was a visionary leader, determined and fearless in taking on corporations and lawmakers alike,” said USW Canadian National Director Marty Warren.

“He spent his career building power for workers so that everyone could have safer jobs, better pay, retirement security and respect on the job. As a proud Canadian, he never wavered from his values, and his life’s work will live on for generations.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

His obituary said he passed away peacefully with his family by his side.

“Leo will be deeply missed by his wife of 56 years, Susan Gerard, his two daughters, Kari-Ann Gerard Cusack (husband Shane) and Meaghan Gerard Wennekes (husband Adam), and his grandchildren, Elyssa, Liam, and Kinley,” the obit said.

“Arrangements entrusted to the Lougheed Funeral Home.”