Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation and retired Steelworker, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss changes within the United Steelworkers, the evolving state of the U.S. steel industry and the increased participation of union members in politics.
The discussion opened with Gallagher discussing Dave McCall, the outgoing International President for the USW. He called McCall a pivotal leader for the Steelworkers and the union’s next-generation leadership program. Gallagher underscored the value of these initiatives in identifying and nurturing new union leaders. Through educational programs and mentorship, the union builds a pipeline of skilled local leaders, fostering a steady transfer of institutional knowledge. Reflecting on past crises, he credited McCall’s leadership during the tumultuous bankruptcy wave of the late 1990s and early 2000s for keeping critical steel plants, including in Cleveland, afloat. On March 1, 2026, Roxanne Brown will begin serving as the next International President after winning the election earlier this year.
Gallagher then discussed the current instability in the steel industry, particularly the unpredictable application of tariffs. He explained that fluctuating tariffs have prompted companies like Cleveland-Cliffs to form strategic partnerships, including with South Korea’s Posco, to hedge against uncertainties and maintain market access. He acknowledged the continuous challenges posed by imports and the misclassification of steel products, calling for greater stability and enforcement to bolster American steel production and union jobs.
Gallagher concluded by discussing the increasing involvement of union members in politics at the local and state levels. In light of recent electoral shifts, he encouraged union members to seek public office, referencing Tip O’Neill’s adage that “all politics is local.” Gallagher emphasized the integral role unions play in shaping not only the economy but also the political landscape faced by American workers.
For more from Gallagher, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.