MEDIA ADVISORY - Steelworker Days in Sault Ste. Marie

Community the focus of United Steelworkers Conference Aug. 17-20

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, Aug. 13, 2015 /CNW/ - A proclamation from the mayor, a community festival and projects to repair, paint, build and serve a number of local charities, are among the events planned for a conference next week that will see hundreds of members of the United Steelworkers union (USW) from Ontario and Atlantic Canada meet for the first time ever in Sault Ste. Marie.

"Our theme for the week of August 17-20 is Strong Union, Strong Community," said USW Ontario/Atlantic Director Marty Warren.

"We will have some of the usual speeches, but we will also be spending Tuesday, August 18, out in the community in partnership with a number of local charities. We are also partnering with the Batchewana and Garden River First Nations, on whose traditional territories our conference is being held," Warren said.

WHAT:	United Steelworkers District 6 (Ontario/Atlantic Canada) Conference  and Community Solidarity
WHEN:	August 17-20, 2015
WHERE:	Quattro Hotel (229 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste. Marie) and various community venues.

On Wednesday, August 19, starting around 5 p.m., the USW is hosting a free community festival and barbecue, with bands, face painting and fireworks at the Roberta Bondar Park and Pavilion. 

Earlier this year, Mayor Christian Provenzano proclaimed the week of Aug. 17-20 to be "Steelworker Days in Sault Ste. Marie." Donations to many of the community projects came from local businesses.

Among the projects slated for Aug. 18 are: building a garden at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH); painting at Pauline's Place emergency shelter and at St. Vincent Place; serving lunch at the Soup Kitchen Community Centre as well as St. Vincent; delivering backpacks with school supplies and vouchers for running shoes at the Community Hub and Best for Kids; clean-up and path restoration at the Regional Conservation Authority; building a patio with benches and fire pit at Batchewana First Nation; refurbishing the veterans' monument at Garden River First Nation.

"This will be a union conference like no other," said Warren. "There are so many people to thank and we will do that formally during the conference."

Speakers on Monday, Aug. 17 will include federal NDP Leader Tom Mulcair (via video) and Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus. Wednesday, Aug. 19 will feature Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

Chief Dean Sayers of Batchewana First Nation and Chief Lyle Sayers of Garden River First Nation will also speak on Wednesday. USW International President Leo W. Gerard speaks Wednesday morning. USW National Director Ken Neumann will speak on Monday afternoon.

The conference office during the four days is in the Ontario Room.

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

and a full conference agenda: Pat Van Horne, 613-859-1763, [email protected]