New Leaders Take Helm of USW

Contact: R.J. Hufnagel, [email protected], 412-562-2450

(Pittsburgh) – The United Steelworkers (USW) union installed a historic slate of leaders today, led by new International President Roxanne Brown, the 10th leader of North America’s largest industrial union since its founding in 1942.

Elected last fall, Brown replaces David McCall, who did not seek reelection after serving as the USW’s international president since September 2023. Brown is the first woman and the first person of color to lead the union.

“Working people are at a crossroads in this country,” Brown said following a swearing-in ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel ballroom in Pittsburgh’s Station Square attended by about 1,000 rank-and-file Steelworkers and guests. “Too many families keep working harder but are forced to settle for less because of the greed and indifference of Wall Street, corporate America, and the politicians who do their bidding.

“It’s our job in the labor movement to meet that moment – to organize, to educate, and to lead the fight for real economic justice,” Brown said. “Workers are hungry for real and lasting change, and our union stands ready to help them deliver it.”

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in White Plains, N.Y., Brown has been a USW member for 27 years and has served as USW international vice president since 2019. Amber Miller, who led the union’s Rapid Response grassroots education and legislative program since 2019, was sworn in alongside Brown to serve as an international vice president.

Also taking office March 1 for four-year terms were USW International Secretary-Treasurer Myles Sullivan, National Director for Canada Marty Warren and International Vice Presidents Emil Ramirez, Kevin Mapp and Luis Mendoza.

Twelve district directors also began new terms, including Donnie Blatt of District 1, Scott Lunny of District 3, David M. Wasiura of District 4, Nicolas Lapierre of District 5, Kevon Stewart of District 6, Michael R. Millsap of District 7, Larry Ray of District 8, Daniel Flippo of District 9, Bernie Hall of District 10, Cathy Drummond of District 11, Gaylan Z. Prescott of District 12, and Larry Burchfield of District 13.

McCall, a USW member since the age of 18, said there was nobody more prepared than Brown to lead the union into the future.

“I couldn’t be more proud or more excited to see Roxanne Brown take the helm of this great union,” he said. “She brings integrity, skill, knowledge, toughness and empathy to the job. She will represent the members of this union well.”

For more information about the USW’s new leadership, visit: usw.org/about/leadership/.

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.

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