Born and raised in rural Saskatchewan, Ken Neumann has been a lifelong Steelworker. When he was still a teenager, he was a member of Local 5890 at Ipsco Ltd. In Regina, Saskatchewan, and later was a member of Local 6166 at Inco Ltd. in Thompson, Manitoba.

As a member of Local 4728 (Westank-Willock, Regina), Ken became active as a steward, and later took on other responsibilities in the local prior to being elected president. He became an instructor, organizer, and president of the Regina Area Council before being hired as a Steelworker Staff Representative in 1977.

First elected District 3 Director in 1989, he was returned to office in every election until he was appointed by the International Executive Board as National Director for Canada in 2004, following the retirement of Lawrence McBrearty. He was then in his fourth term as director of District 3.

Ken has built a personal reputation for strong service to Steelworker members, and has played a key role in greatly expanding the labour movement in Western Canada. As National Director, Ken has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the recent merger of our Union with the Industrial Wood, and Allied Workers of Canada (IWA).