Lynn Williams

Early Years and Education

A minister's son, Lynn Williams received a degree in economics from McMaster University and served in the Canadian Navy during the Second World War.

Career Highlights

In 1947 Lynn Williams took a job at a Toronto plant and joined the United Steelworkers (USW). His first union job was as an organizer with the Canadian Congress of Labour (now the Canadian Labour Congress), and in 1956 he joined the staff of the USW in the Niagara Peninsula area. Under his leadership, USW doubled its membership in the area. During the 1960s, Williams became involved in bargaining, labour education and politics.

From 1973 to 1977 Williams was director of Toronto-based District 6, then second largest in the union with its 130 000 members. Williams was eventually elected international secretary.

On 17 November 1983, Williams was elected temporary acting president of the USW. Following a bitterly fought election, he was sworn in as fifth president of the union 1 March 1986, thus becoming the first Canadian ever to head the United Steelworkers and one of the few non-American citizens to lead a major United States union. Williams retired from his position as president of the USW in 1994.

Honours

Lynn Williams was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2005.