News In Brief

Canadian claims victory in steelworkers' union vote

The results are not yet official but Lynn Williams, a Canadian, is the apparent winner in a bitter contest for the United Steelworker's (USW) presidency.

Mr. Williams claims he has a substantial lead over Frank McKee in an election in which nationalism was a key issue. Williams, secretary and interim president of USW since November, said in Pittsburgh that steel unionists in the United States and Canada have given him a ''clear mandate'' to lead the 850,000-member union.

Mr. McKee, USW treasurer, challenged Williams' claim and has charged election irregularities. The official tally of votes cast by fewer than half of the union's eligible voters will begin April 9.

If USW's executive board cannot calm the dispute, the election controversy could go to court.