The newly established United Steelworkers/Leo Gerard Chair in Collective Bargaining and Worker Representation at the Centre for Industrial Relations & Human Resources (CIRHR) will drive important research into labour relations and human rights.
Donors, politicians, union leaders, corporate executives and the CIRHR community gathered at Hart House in November to celebrate the new chair and the man behind it: Leo Gerard, the globally renowned labour leader and former international president of the United Steel Workers (USW).
“Leo was unique in that he was able to advance workers' rights while, at the same time, be respected by management and by various waves of different political leadership,” says Rafael Gomez, a professor of employment relations and CIRHR director.
The United Steelworkers/Leo Gerard Chair will complement important work already happening at CIRHR and the Faculty of Arts & Science, promoting a new era of research, teaching and engagement to encourage new solutions around collective bargaining.
“Collective bargaining and worker representation is something every Canadian should be interested in supporting,” Gomez says. “We all work, have worked, will work or have people that have worked for us. That centrality of work is hopefully represented in this chair.”
The chair will provide a platform for scholars, practitioners and students to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration, bringing to the forefront labour relations principles Gerard has passionately advocated for throughout his life.
“This chair is a testament to Leo’s enduring legacy and his contributions to the field of industrial relations,” says Alan Kestenbaum, former CEO of Stelco Inc. “It is a fitting tribute to a man who has dedicated his life to championing the rights of workers and advancing the cause of social justice. As his forever grateful friend and colleague, I am honoured to be part of the chair’s formation and a supporter of this worthy cause.”
Kestenbaum and Gomez, along with Ken Neumann and Brad James (two former USW officials and friends of Gerard), were part of the fundraising campaign team that helped raise more than $3.6 million in support of the United Steelworkers/Leo Gerard Chair.
Among the attendees at the November event were many of the generous donors who helped fund the chair.
“Every individual we asked, be it corporate or politicians, there was no hesitation,” says Neumann, former national director of USW Canada. “To me, it means a lot that we’ve been able to bring this to fruition. If it weren’t for all the donors here tonight, this wouldn’t have taken place.”
Much of the evening was spent enumerating the many accomplishments of Gerard, who was unable to attend in person.
Though Gerard was recently appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada — the highest honour a Canadian citizen can achieve — it has been the United Steelworkers/Leo Gerard Chair that has occupied Gerard’s thoughts, says Raymond Gerard, speaking on behalf of his brother.
“Leo puts himself last,” Raymond says. “He was always in it for the workers.”
As the second Canadian international president of the USW, Gerard fought to improve the working and living standards in Canada, the United States and around the world.
“His strategic thinking and relentless pursuit of justice have set a high standard for all of us in the field,” says Kestenbaum.
Many of the speakers, including Kestenbaum and Neumann, also spoke about Gerard’s impact on a personal level. The steelworker-turned-union-president was mentor to many at the USW and beyond.
“Leo’s mentorship has taught me that true leadership is about serving others and making a positive impact on their lives,” Kestenbaum says.
“One of the main things Leo always says is, ‘I can't guarantee you that if you fight, you're going to win, but I can guarantee you that if you don't fight, you're going to lose.’ And he's instilled that into all of us,” Neumann says.