The Union Leader Who Reshaped North American Industry
Leo Gerard, the formidable president of the United Steelworkers (USW) from 2001 to 2019, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025, in Sudbury, Ontario, at the age of 78. Known for his booming voice, thick mustache, and unwavering advocacy for blue-collar workers, Gerard transformed the USW into the largest industrial union in North America.
A Career Forged in Steel
Gerard’s journey began far from the boardrooms of Washington—he started as a laborer unclogging air pipes at a nickel smelter in Ontario. By his late 20s, he’d moved into union leadership, quickly rising through the ranks to become USW president in 2001—just as China’s steel exports began flooding global markets.
Battling the Tide of Cheap Imports
Gerard’s tenure coincided with a crisis: Chinese steel overproduction led to massive dumping in North America, shuttering mills and costing thousands of jobs. His response? A bold, bipartisan strategy that included:
- Lobbying the George W. Bush administration for anti-dumping tariffs in 2002
- Forging alliances with U.S. manufacturers
- Co-founding the Alliance for American Manufacturing
Gerard’s Impact at a Glance
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1966 | Started at Inco nickel smelter in Sudbury |
| 2001 | Became USW President |
| 2002 | Secured anti-dumping tariffs under Bush |
| 2007 | Launched Alliance for American Manufacturing |
| 2019 | Stepped down as USW President |
Legacy Beyond the Union Hall
Gerard didn’t just defend jobs—he redefined labor’s role in trade policy. His ability to work with both Democrats and Republicans made him a rare consensus-builder in an era of deep polarization. [INTERNAL_LINK:labor unions] and industrial policy advocates continue to cite his playbook as a model for 21st-century worker advocacy.
Infographic: The Steel Crisis & Gerard’s Response
Caption: Leo Gerard, a symbol of blue-collar resilience. (Credit: The New York Times)
