Our Roots

The United Steelworkers Local Union 2251 has a long and rich history with Algoma Steel and the community of Sault Ste. Marie. 

• A first meeting of the workers was held on June 4, 1935, in the Son’s of Italy hall on Cathcart St. to discuss a wage increase. 
• The first meeting with management by workers representatives was held following the June 4, 1935, meeting. 
•  A second meeting was held on June 8, 1935. A motion was moved that a local union be organized. Carried unanimously.
• The organization that was formed was named the Algoma Steel Workers Union.
• Organized in 1935, affiliated to Steelworkers Organizing Committee in 1940 and became Local Union 2251. In 1942 the Steelworkers Organizing Committee became the United Steelworkers of America.
• The first Union office opened in 1935 at 168 Gore St. The office was large enough for office space and for small department meetings.
• In the fall of 1940, the Local Union was outgrowing its offices on Gore Street and moved to 126 Thompson Street.
• 1962 sees the Union Hall at 68 Dennis opening.
• The Group Health Centre was founded in 1963 as one of the first union-sponsored community health centres in Canada. Founded by thousands of Sault Ste. Marie steelworkers, the Group Health Centre promised its members primary and preventative care with no out-of-pocket cost at a time before provincial health insurance existed. On September 1, 1963, the Group Health Centre began the practice of medicine as a group practice.
• Local 2251 today is comprised of six steelworker Locals, a Bricklayer Local and a United Transportation Local Union. The six Steelworker Locals are 2251, 5595, 5048, 4509, 3933, and 2288. The Unions were amalgamated in 1995. 
• In April 2010, the Union Office moved to 8 Albert St. E., where we reside today.