Labor Mourns Passing of Former United Steelworker President Leo Gerard
Leo W. Gerard, who led the United Steelworkers (USW) as the union’s international president for more than 18 years, died on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025.
Gerard, who retired in July 2019 as the longest-tenured president in the USW’s history, served the union in numerous leadership roles throughout a career spanning more than 50 years, which began at the age of 18 at a nickel smelter in his hometown of Sudbury, Ontario.
“Leo Gerard spent his entire life fighting for workers across the world, and his impact on the USW, and the global labor movement, has been immeasurable,” said USW International President David McCall. “He inspired countless other workers to carry on the fight for justice and fairness. He will be missed, but we intend to honor his legacy by continuing that work.”
Gerard served as a USW staff representative, district director, national director of Canada, and secretary-treasurer before his election as international president in 2001.
Throughout his tenure, Gerard sought to grow the union through organizing new workers, orchestrating mergers with other labor organizations, and building strategic alliances with allies across North America and around the world.
"As a Steelworker and son of a Steelworker, I witnessed firsthand the passion, intellect and leadership in which Leo Gerard led our union," said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga. "President Gerard not only fought for his members, but he was a leading figure in the labor movement demanding solidarity so all working people had the opportunity to bargain for a better life.”