Officer of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2005-11-17
Invested on: 2007-05-04
Lynn Williams has been an influential figure in the labour movement for five decades. He began his career with what is now the Canadian Labour Congress and moved within the ranks of the United Steelworkers of America to become the first Canadian to head this international organization. Convinced that unions are more than a vehicle for collective bargaining, he has worked for global justice and has assisted people in realizing their potential. Now retired, he remains a respected figure and a source of inspiration for labour leaders.