Lynn Williams, who served as president of the United Steel Workers from 1983 to 1994, died Monday in Toronto. He was 89.

He took over as president of the international union when his predecessor, Lloyd McBride, died. Mr. Williams was then elected to lead the union in a special election in 1984 and followed that by winning two terms in 1985 and 1989.

Under his leadership, the USW changed contract negotiations in the steel industry. Where once the steelworkers' contract was bargained industrywide, later it was bargained in smaller units. He also ushered in profit-sharing and employment security provisions.

First Published: May 5, 2014, 4:05 p.m.