Introduction
David McCall’s career reflects one of the most complete journeys in American labor leadership, rising from a teenage millwright on the shop floor to the presidency of the United Steelworkers, the largest industrial union in North America. Over nearly six decades, he became one of the labor movement’s most respected negotiators and advocates before stepping down from the union’s top role in early 2026.
This article explores his career, his rise through the United Steelworkers, and his lasting impact on the American labor movement.
Who Is David McCall?
David McCall is an American labor leader who served as the ninth International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), representing approximately 850,000 active and retired members across the United States and Canada. A fourth-generation steelworker, McCall built his career from the ground up, starting as a millwright before eventually leading the union through decades of industry upheaval and change.
He stepped down as USW International President on March 1, 2026, closing out a nearly six-decade legacy within the labor movement.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | David McCall |
| Birthplace | Gary, Indiana, USA |
| Profession | Labor Leader |
| Union | United Steelworkers (USW) |
| Role | 9th International President (2023–2026) |
| Education | Indiana University Northwest (Labor Studies); Harvard Trade Union Program |
| Successor | Roxanne Brown |
Early Life and Entry Into the Labor Movement
David McCall was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, into a family with deep roots in the steel industry, making him a fourth-generation steelworker. His connection to the labor movement began remarkably early: at just seven years old, he walked his first picket line during the United Steelworkers’ 116-day industry-wide strike in 1959.
At 18, McCall joined USW Local 6787 and began working as a millwright at Bethlehem Steel’s Burns Harbor Works in Northwest Indiana, the same facility where his eventual predecessor as USW president, Tom Conway, also began his career.
Rising Through the Ranks of the United Steelworkers
Early Local Leadership
McCall quickly became active within his local union, being elected as a grievance committeeman in 1971 and later grievance committee chair in 1975. During this period, he also earned a degree in Labor Studies from Indiana University Northwest, graduating in 1975 while continuing to work shifts in the mill.
He went on to establish Local 6787’s food bank and unemployment support committee, reflecting an early commitment to broader worker welfare beyond contract negotiations alone.
Moving Into International Union Leadership
David McCall joined the USW’s international staff in 1986, beginning a new chapter of his career focused on broader union leadership. He went on to complete the Harvard Trade Union Program in 1989, further building his expertise in labor relations and negotiation.
Over the following decades, McCall held a series of increasingly senior roles within the union, including:
- Sub-District Director in Gary, Indiana (1989–1997)
- Assistant Director of District 7 (1997)
- Director of District 1, Ohio (appointed 1998)
- USW International Vice President of Administration (2019–2023)
He was elected and re-elected as District Director by Ohio Steelworkers five times, in 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2017, representing them on the union’s International Executive Board.
Career Timeline Table
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1959 | Walks first picket line at age 7 |
| 1971 | Elected grievance committeeman, Local 6787 |
| 1975 | Graduates Indiana University Northwest; elected grievance chair |
| 1986 | Joins USW international staff |
| 1998 | Appointed Director of District 1 (Ohio) |
| 2019 | Becomes USW International Vice President of Administration |
| 2023 | Appointed USW International President |
| 2026 | Steps down as USW International President |
Leading the USW Through Industry Crisis
Throughout his career, David McCall played a central role in helping steelworkers navigate some of the American steel industry’s most difficult periods. During the steel industry crisis between 1998 and 2002, when approximately 50 companies sought bankruptcy protection, McCall helped restore benefits to tens of thousands of retirees who had lost their insurance, using innovative Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trusts secured through federal court action.
He also played a key role during the 2008-2009 global economic recession, focusing on saving jobs while prioritizing the long-term viability and sustainability of the industries the USW represented.
Over his career, McCall led negotiations across a wide range of industries, including steel, tire, paper, oil, and glass, delivering wage increases, stronger job security, and other gains for tens of thousands of workers.
Becoming USW International President
In September 2023, the USW International Executive Board appointed David McCall as the union’s ninth International President, following the death of his predecessor, Tom Conway, who had led the union for four years. McCall was tasked with completing the remainder of Conway’s term, later continuing in the role through early 2026.
Speaking at the time of his appointment, McCall emphasized the union’s ongoing evolution, noting the USW’s continued efforts to organize new members in new industries across both the United States and Canada, while still bargaining strong agreements for members in the union’s traditional sectors.
Broader Labor Movement Involvement
Beyond his role at USW, McCall held several other significant positions within the broader labor movement, including:
- Member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council
- Co-chair of the BlueGreen Alliance
- Chairman of the Labor Advisory Council for the President of the United States
- Chairman of the Steelworkers Health and Welfare Fund
- Trustee for the Steelworker Pension Trust
Stepping Down and Legacy
David McCall officially stepped down as USW International President on March 1, 2026, passing leadership to Roxanne Brown, the union’s incoming president. In a statement marking the transition, Brown praised McCall’s impact on both the Steelworkers union and the broader labor movement, highlighting his lifelong commitment to fighting for justice and fairness for working people.
The AFL-CIO also issued a formal statement honoring McCall’s service, describing his nearly six-decade legacy of activism and advocacy on behalf of American workers, spanning from his earliest days in Northwest Indiana to his leadership of the USW from Pittsburgh.
Following his departure from the union’s top role, McCall indicated he would remain involved with the USW team, continuing to support contract bargaining efforts with major steelmakers and other employers.
Why David McCall’s Career Remains Significant
Several factors define his lasting impact on the American labor movement:
- An authentic, grassroots rise from millwright to international union president
- Decades of successful negotiation experience across multiple major industries
- Steady leadership through industry crises, including the early 2000s steel bankruptcies and the 2008 recession
- A broader influence on national labor policy, through roles including the AFL-CIO Executive Council and the Labor Advisory Council for the President
FAQs About David McCall
1. Who is David McCall? David McCall is an American labor leader who served as the ninth International President of the United Steelworkers (USW) from 2023 to 2026.
2. How did David McCall begin his career? He began as a millwright at Bethlehem Steel’s Burns Harbor Works in Indiana at age 18, working his way up through local and international union leadership over several decades.
3. When did David McCall step down as USW president? He stepped down on March 1, 2026, with Roxanne Brown succeeding him as the union’s next international president.
4. What industries did David McCall negotiate for during his career? He led negotiations across steel, tire, paper, oil, glass, and other major industries throughout his career with the USW.
5. What other labor roles did David McCall hold? Beyond leading the USW, he served on the AFL-CIO Executive Council, co-chaired the BlueGreen Alliance, and chaired the Labor Advisory Council for the President of the United States.
Conclusion
David McCall‘s career reflects a genuine, grassroots journey through the American labor movement, from a teenage millwright walking picket lines to leading the largest industrial union in North America. His steady leadership through some of the steel industry’s most difficult periods left a lasting mark on the union and its members.
As David McCall closes this chapter of his nearly six-decade career, his legacy within the United Steelworkers and the broader labor movement continues to be felt by the hundreds of thousands of workers whose livelihoods he helped protect and strengthen.
