Episode 18 - A Power Linesman’s Commitment to Representation and Training with Stephen McKellar - CUSW
February 16, 2026
Episode 18 - A Power Linesman’s Commitment to Representation and Training with Stephen McKellar
In this episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, we shine the spotlight on 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿, a powerline technician, trainer, and dedicated union advocate whose journey reflects the 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗪.
With ten years of involvement, Steve shares how a career change led him into the trades and opened the door to opportunities to serve, and help strengthen the union from within.
Steve speaks about his experience as a 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, his time working directly with the union during a capacity-building rotation, and his current role training the next generation of apprentices.
His passion for supporting fellow members, improving safety culture, and helping others grow is evident in every role he takes on, from national committees and bargaining involvement to guiding apprentices as they begin their careers.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that CUSW is more than a workplace; it’s a member-driven community built on mentorship, shared responsibility, and supporting each other.
Steve’s story highlights the impact one member can have when they choose to get involved, give back, and help ensure every worker has a voice. If you want to get in touch with Steve, reach out to him at 𝘀𝗺𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮
Make sure you also visit https://www.cusw.ca/ to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email us at 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮.
And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the work happening at CUSW!
Tap to watch on YouTube! 🔗 https://youtu.be/ycRDmZyGd3Y
Tap to watch on Spotify 🔗 https://open.spotify.com/episode/7d9QDxnre2dI65vzWcxmUw?si=I76fR0UQTJux3Rs4tq2pzw
🔻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗪 https://www.cusw.ca/who-we-are
🔻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 https://www.cusw.ca/news
🔻 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 https://www.cusw.ca/contact
🔻 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 https://www.cusw.ca/participation-model
🔻 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 https://thecuswspotlightpodcast.buzzsprout.com/2460173/follow
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲, 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 and 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 as you watch the full episodes on our official YouTube channel.
🎵 Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
𝗧𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗪 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁!
#CUSWSpotlight #unionleadership #skilledtrades #Unionmember #leadershipinaction #futureofwork #tradespeople #UnionStrong #continuouslearning #podcastlife #podcastguests #CUSWpodcast #skilledworkers #canadianunion #trainingopportunities #cuswtraining #traithetrainer #capacitybuildingrotation #buildadream