Latest news with #USW
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Canadian government needs to stand up for lumber workers, says United Steelworkers union
BURNABY, British Columbia, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The United Steelworkers union (USW) District 3 and the USW Wood Council are calling on the federal government to take urgent action in response to the latest escalation in the softwood lumber trade dispute. Following the U.S. Department of Commerce's decision to increase anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports to 20.56%, the USW is demanding immediate support for forestry workers and communities across the country.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Canadian government needs to stand up for lumber workers, says United Steelworkers union
BURNABY, British Columbia, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The United Steelworkers union (USW) District 3 and the USW Wood Council are calling on the federal government to take urgent action in response to the latest escalation in the softwood lumber trade dispute. Following the U.S. Department of Commerce's decision to increase anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports to 20.56%, the USW is demanding immediate support for forestry workers and communities across the country. 'This latest increase, along with other threatened tariffs, is yet another blow to workers, communities and the long-term sustainability of our industry,' said Scott Lunny, USW Western Canada Director. 'We represent thousands of loggers and mill workers across British Columbia and Western Canada and our members, and their families, are at risk – governments need to act now.' The combined total of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Canadian lumber now exceeds 35%. This threat of further tariffs comes after President Donald Trump announced a potential Section 232 'national security' investigation. 'It's a constant attack on our industry and our workforce from the U.S. administration. Our prime minister stood up for the steel sector and says softwood lumber is a priority in trade talks, but what forest workers need now is action, not just words. They need to know Canada has their backs,' said Lunny. In addition to calling for a deal on softwood lumber to be a priority for Canada in trade talks with the U.S., the USW is calling for a comprehensive support package for forest workers, including wage subsidies, loan guarantees for affected businesses and other targeted resources to support provinces, regional and local communities to sustain critical infrastructure and services through this unprecedented uncertainty. The USW warns that the increased tariffs and potential Section 232 tariff implementation, in addition to duties, will cost American consumers and Canadian jobs. 'These duties are unfair and will only drive up housing costs for U.S. consumers, while putting thousands of Canadian jobs at risk,' said Jeff Bromley, USW Wood Council Chair. 'The American market needs Canadian lumber. The U.S. cannot meet its domestic demand, no matter what President Trump says.' The union also pushed back against claims made by the U.S. Softwood Lumber Coalition. 'Canadian producers operate under different conditions. Our harvesting costs are higher, our wages and benefits are better and our lumber is top-quality. This isn't unfair trade. It's a better product from a better system,' said Bromley. USW emphasized that securing a lasting resolution to the softwood lumber dispute must remain a top priority in Canada-U.S. trade negotiations and in the meantime, governments must step in to stabilize the sector. About the United Steelworkers The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of the union's strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions. For more information: Scott Lunny, USW Western Canada Director, slunny@ , 604-329-5308 Jeff Bromley, USW Wood Council Chair, jbromley@ , 250-426-9870 Brett Barden, USW Communications, bbarden@ , 604-445-6956
Business News Wales
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Computer Games Design Graduates Selected for Tranzfuser 2025 Competition
A team of Computer Games Design graduates at USW has once again been selected for Tranzfuser 2025 – the UK's flagship competition for emerging game development talent. RuneCube Studios – made up of Rhys Jones, Connor Elsbury and Cameron Fritz, along with BA Music Producing graduate Wigg Grant – is one of just 21 teams across the UK to be chosen for this year's programme. Their game, Overstaffed, is a two-player co-op action adventure set in the world of Arrilla. The wizards the players control are exploring an ancient area known as the Forsaken Ruins, home to different environments each with their own climate and inhabitants, in order to retrieve an extremely powerful artefact. The game features multiple co-op elements such as Overstacking, which allows players to throw each other, reach areas which are usually unreachable, and defeat more difficult enemies. Now in its 10th year, Tranzfuser gives graduate teams the opportunity to independently develop a vertical slice of their game over the summer, culminating in a public showcase this September. The programme goes far beyond game development: teams are given the freedom to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions, supported by the Games Biz Academy, a curated resource hub designed to develop real-world business and studio leadership skills. Over the course of 14 weeks, RuneCube Studios, with support from the BA Computer Games Design course team, will work with a handpicked industry mentor, often a seasoned developer from the UK Games Fund portfolio. Alongside independent development and support from their local hub, the team will take part in cohort-wide activities and mentoring sessions, giving them a unique opportunity to grow not just as developers, but as founders building the foundations of a sustainable studio. At the end of the programme, all teams will have the chance to pitch for grant funding of up to £25,000 from the UK Games Fund to support the commercial development of their game – a crucial stepping stone towards taking their work to market. Connor Elsbury, programme lead for RuneCube Studios, said: 'We are delighted to be a part of the Tranzfuser 2025 lineup and are ready to work our hardest to bring the best possible game we can. Tranzfuser is a great opportunity for each team member to develop their skills, and potentially push Overstaffed out to the public and find fans. 'The competition is one of the best opportunities we could have received right after coming out of University. It is a great way for the team to develop their skills both existing and new by working on a game we are all familiar with developing. We also see it as an opportunity to put our names out in the industry, potentially create our own studio and also have it become a hallmark of our experience as developers.' Dann Rees, course leader for Computer Games Design, added: 'We are very proud that 2025 marks the 10th consecutive year that USW teams have earned a place in Tranzfuser – an incredible achievement that underscores the course's strong track record in producing talented, ambitious, and industry-ready graduates.'
South Wales Argus
21-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport Engagement Hub: Powering positive change in the city
One of the Hub's flagship collaborations is its involvement in the Business in the Community (BITC) Newport Place Programme, a collective of 15 anchor institutions working together to create lasting positive change for Newport. As a founding partner, USW has taken a leading role - hosting listening events that bring together local business and community voices to shape needs-led initiatives. These insights have directly informed the design and operation of the Engagement Hub itself, ensuring it is a welcoming and useful space for both business and community partners. The Hub is also supporting initiatives that widen access to education. USW's partnership with The Brilliant Club has enabled the launch of the Newport Parent Power Chapter - a programme engaging over 100 parents and carers from under-represented communities to build confidence and familiarity with higher education. Nia Oatley, Communities Manager for The Brilliant Club, said: 'The University of South Wales' generosity in hosting Parent Power Newport meetings at their Newport Engagement Hub has been truly transformative. Their support provides us with a welcoming, accessible space where parents can connect, collaborate, and drive real change. This partnership empowers our community, strengthens our mission, and ensures that every parent's voice is heard.' Through Startup Stiwdio and community connections, the Hub is supporting graduate ventures, providing work-based learning opportunities, and enabling co-designed curriculum developments that reflect the skills needs of local employers. Julie-Anne Baker, a graduate entrepreneur, shared how the Hub has supported her journey: 'The Engagement Hub has provided me a space where I can safely operate my business from and feel connected to both other start-ups and gain support from individuals experienced in running businesses. The programmes like the business development programme have helped me to quickly gain a deeper understanding of business models and rapidly grow my private practice.' The Hub is also proving valuable for established professionals and industry partnerships. David Champs, Director of Revive Development Consultants Ltd, said: 'Working from the Engagement Hub has facilitated valuable collaboration with USW as an academic partner. I've benefited from a Global MBA intern, support from the CEMET team, and access to workspace and technology that's been instrumental to the development of my consultancy.' USW's involvement in programmes such as BITC Newport, Newport Parent Power, and a wide range of grassroots civic collaborations reflects a bold and meaningful approach to engagement - one that puts people, place, and purpose at the centre. The Newport Engagement Hub is not just a university facility - it is a shared community asset, helping Newport to grow in a way that is inclusive, connected and genuinely impactful. Whether you're a business looking for flexible workspace, a community organisation in need of a welcoming venue, or a local resident with an idea to explore - we'd love to hear from you. To find out more about using the Newport Engagement Hub, or to arrange a tour of the space, contact the team at uswexchange@
South Wales Argus
17-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Newport has ‘lost out' over university investment promises
Newport has missed out on around £3 million of investment since a university merger and the closure of Caerleon Campus, a councillor has claimed. Cllr Matthew Evans said student numbers in the city have plummeted in the past 15 years, and criticised 'broken' promises to invest in higher education. The University of South Wales (USW) was created in 2013 when the University of Newport, Wales merged with the University of Glamorgan – two years after a new city-centre campus for business and media opened on Usk Way. The university's campus in Caerleon was eventually closed down in 2016, despite opposition, and most of the site has been redeveloped for housing – except for the main block and some other listed buildings, which later found fame in the Netflix series Sex Education. Speaking at a council meeting this week, Cllr Evans, the leader of the opposition Conservative group, alleged the only university students apparently living in Newport these days are 'a few from Bristol' – a far cry from the 10,000 he said the city welcomed in 2010/11. Cllr Evans raised a recent claim that 'when the Caerleon campus was sold for £6.2 million, there was an initial promise that all of this would be spent in the city'. On the university merger, he added: 'Promises were made that there would not be any campus closures, which were then broken.' The development of a so-called Knowledge Quarter in central Newport was meant to safeguard higher and further education, but Cllr Evans questioned the progress to date, and urged Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, the council leader, to 'ensure that this much-needed investment in the city centre materialises'. Cllr Batrouni said he had held 'honest and robust' discussions with USW's chancellor and vice-chancellor on the university's 'current status and future' in Newport, but described the sector as being 'in real trouble'. 'I think if we're all being candid with each other, not just in Wales but across England, higher education [and] universities are facing a financial crisis,' said Cllr Batrouni, who understands USW has 'no contractual obligation… to commit that money here'. 'I can also raise those matters directly with them next time I meet them – but I wouldn't hold our breath on that,' he added. Cllr Evans said public documents, published around the time the redevelopment of Caerleon Campus was decided, suggested 'the university intended to reinvest proceeds into the Newport Knowledge Quarter'. 'Yet again, we appear to have lost out,' he claimed. 'Apparently they have spent £3.2 million in Newport but that still leaves a shortfall of £3 million.' Cllr Evans called that spending a 'pittance' when compared 'to the £40 million they've just spent on a building in Treforest'. 'They promised us money,' he added. 'I do think it's important… we try and get some of this money back or at least buildings here.' Cllr Batrouni defended the Knowledge Quarter project as 'a beacon for this city' and said there were 'definitely students there' during his visit to the city-centre campus. He also noted several USW investments in Newport, including a 'state of the art' research and innovation centre, and a cyber centre 'which has won four national awards for cyber excellence, beating all the Russell Group universities'. 'I always want more, I always ask them for more and you know, if I can get more there, I will,' added Cllr Batrouni, with a note of caution that he could not 'sit here and promise' anything because the Covid-19 pandemic had 'decimated' higher education. USW was approached for comment.
