Media Advisory: Steelworkers plan parallel trip to Mexico during labour-excluded “Team Canada” trade mission

Core Viewpoint - The United Steelworkers union (USW) and other labor organizations are advocating for worker-centered trade policies during a parallel trip to Mexico, coinciding with a Canadian government trade delegation that lacks labor representation [1][5]. Group 1: Labor Delegation Details - The Canadian-American labor delegation includes representatives from the USW, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), and the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center, with meetings scheduled from February 18 to 24 [2]. - Meetings will take place in Mexico City and Aguascalientes, focusing on the challenges faced by Mexican workers in forming unions and the need for stronger labor rights protections under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) [3]. Group 2: Advocacy for Labor Rights - Union representatives are committed to building cross-border solidarity to advocate for fair trade rules that improve working and living standards for all workers [4]. - Discussions will include the impacts of tariffs and trade wars on North American workers and communities, as well as the upcoming review of CUSMA [5]. Group 3: Calls for Government Engagement - The USW emphasizes the necessity of a worker-centered trade strategy and urges the Canadian government to involve unions in trade negotiations [6]. - The union warns against agreeing to unfavorable terms in any CUSMA renegotiation, stressing that workers do not want their jobs and livelihoods compromised for a flawed deal [6]. Group 4: Upcoming Events - A joint news conference will be held in Mexico City on February 20, 2026, to discuss the labor delegation's objectives and findings [7]. - The news conference will be livestreamed for broader participation from journalists unable to attend in person [8]. Group 5: About the United Steelworkers Union - The USW represents 225,000 members across various economic sectors in Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with a total of 850,000 members in Canada, the U.S., and the Caribbean [9]. - The union is recognized for its efforts in creating safer workplaces and negotiating better working conditions, including fair wages and benefits [10].