The former international president of the United Steelworkers, who passed away over the weekend, was instrumental in the formation of the Alliance for American Manufacturing.
The labor movement lost a titan this week. Leo W. Gerard, former international president of the United Steelworkers (USW), passed away on Sept. 21, 2025, at the age of 78.
His legacy is etched into the fabric of North American labor history, and for me[CA1] , his impact is deeply personal — Leo was the driving force behind the founding of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) in 2007.
Leo’s journey began in Sudbury, Ontario, where he started working at a nickel smelter at the age of 18. From those humble beginnings he rose through the ranks of the USW, eventually becoming its international president in 2001. He served in that role for 18 years, making him the longest-tenured president in the union’s history.
But Leo was never content with titles. He was a man of action, vision, and fierce commitment to justice. Under his leadership, the USW grew in strength and scope. He orchestrated the 2005 merger with the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE), making USW the largest industrial union in North America
He also helped launch the Blue-Green Alliance in 2006, forging a powerful partnership between labor and environmental groups to advocate for a sustainable economy.
Leo believed in building coalitions, and that belief led to the creation of AAM. He saw the need for a new kind of organization, one that could unite labor and industry to fight for policies that support American manufacturing. While the USW had worked closely with industry partners on specific trade cases over the years, Leo knew a more strategic and durable relationship was necessary to alter the fortunes of factory work in America, which was in the midst of what became known as the “China Shock.” With his leadership, AAM was born as a partnership between the USW and leading domestic manufacturers. Our mission was clear: to strengthen American manufacturing through smart public policies.
Leo’s vision for AAM was bold. He understood that manufacturing wasn’t just about jobs; it was about national security, economic resilience, and community stability. He championed trade enforcement, infrastructure investment, and reshoring initiatives long before they became mainstream. One early example was his vision for a bus tour to smaller towns and big cities across America’s industrial heartland during the Great Recession to call attention to the jobs at stake if no action was taken to support our auto industry and its deep supply chain. Leo’s voice was unwavering in Washington and beyond, always advocating for working people and the industries that sustain them.
Beyond his strategic brilliance, Leo was a deeply principled leader. He never wavered from his values. He was fearless in confronting political indifference. He inspired generations of union members, policymakers, and advocates to fight for fairness, dignity, and opportunity.
I last saw Leo at a memorial service for his successor, Tom Conway, in 2023. Leo said to me, “We built something pretty good, eh?” I couldn’t agree more.
Leo Gerard’s passing is a profound loss, but his legacy lives on — in the USW, in AAM, and in every worker who benefits from the protections and opportunities he fought to secure. As we mourn his death, we recommit ourselves to the cause he championed. We will continue to build, organize, and advocate. We will honor Leo not just with words, but with action.