The Steelworkers Humanity Fund works nationally and internationally to promote equality, build stronger voices for communities and workers and protection for the environment. Regular contributions to the Fund by thousands of Steelworker members also allows the Fund to respond quickly to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies. Here are some of the activities from 2014.
Continue reading Steelworkers Humanity Fund, Your Contributions at Work Around the World
Each year in Canada over 1000 workers are killed doing their job, with 39 of those deaths happening here in Saskatchewan in 2014 because of workplace injury or disease. On April 28, take a moment to remember and reflect upon those who have been injured, killed, or afflicted with an occupational illness while on the job.
You can also join us that day in a Ceremony that will take place at 5:00pm at Queen Elizabeth II Court in front of Regina City Hall.
Remember to do your part to help make your workplace safer, today. It’s the responsibility of all of us to mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living!
The Company has stated they intend on having the 25 year award ceremony and social function on May 29.
Leslie McNabb will now be assigned to the Staff Rep. position in the Regina office and Brother Sonny Rioux will be assigned to the Staff Rep. position in the Winnipeg office. The assignments will take effect immediately with both of them working together to ensure a smooth transition.
On behalf of the membership and executive, I would like to thank Brother Rioux for his hard work and dedication during his past 7 years with us. I also would like to welcome Sister McNabb to the Regina Office. She is a long time activist, organizer and has been a Staff Rep. for 6 years. We look forward to working with her.
The monthly membership meeting scheduled for November 17 has been moved to Monday November 24.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Please make an effort to attend.
TORONTO – In a referendum vote counted today, members of the Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU) have voted 73.7% in favour of joining the United Steelworkers (USW).
The TWU represents 12,000 members across Canada who work for telecommunications companies including TELUS and Shaw Communications, as well as employers in related telecommunications sectors. Continue reading Telecommunications Workers Union and United Steelworkers Announce Merger
Recently, our union worked with Global TV’s 16×9 documentary program to deliver a full episode that covers the Babine and Lakeland sawmill explosions. It’s a moving and powerful program that drives home the importance of our Stop The Killing, Enforce The Law campaign.
http://globalnews.ca/video/1610255/full-episode-saturday-october-11th
Brad West
United Steelworkers Communications
Recently you received a benefits statement from the Company that should include the name of your beneficiary. Please check that your beneficiary is correct. If it is not, contact Cody Thoring or Meghan Fetch with the Company who will assist you in making the proper correction. If you have made changes to who your beneficiary will be, please also make sure your beneficiary card is updated at the union office.
If you are interested in becoming a First Responder in the Tubular Division please read the following memo the Company Medical Dept. has put out.
The monthly membership meeting has been re-scheduled and will now take place on Monday July 14th, 7:30pm sharp. Regina Union Center, 2709 12th Ave. Downstairs using the south side entrance.
Agenda:
Communications
Grievance Reports
Financial Reports
Committee’s Reports
Staff Rep. Report
Initiation of new members
Unfinished/New Business
*First reading of three for amendments to local by-laws
Stay informed, stay involved in your local.
Solidarity Forever!
It has recently come to the attention of your local Executive that members who have sustained an injury on the job are being advised by certain Company representatives not to file or they do not have to file a Workers Compensation Claim or WCB claim that they are commonly referred too. This is misleading and against your rights! Continue reading Protect Yourself By Reporting Injuries & Filing WCB Claims
The monthly membership meeting will be held on May 26 as the regular meeting date (third Monday of each month) fell on a statutory holiday.
Place: Regina Union Center (12th & Angus)
Time: 7:30 PM
30 APRIL 2014 | STATEMENT
“On behalf of United Steelworkers members across the country, Director Stephen Hunt and I extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and co-workers of the two workers killed and the two workers seriously injured at Western Forest Products today in Nanaimo, B.C.,” said Ken Neumann, USW National Director.
“We are shocked and saddened by this terrible news. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured and in hospital today, as we struggle to understand what happened,” Neumann said.
“Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters at the sawmill, members of United Steelworkers Local 1-1937, as well as to the entire Nanaimo community. We should not have to mourn again so soon after recognizing all workers killed or injured on the job, as we did on Monday, the National Day of Mourning,” said Hunt, USW Western Canada Director.
The United Steelworkers Emergency Response Team is on the scene, responding to this tragedy and offering support to the workers, families and community.
Local 5890 Statement:
On behalf of this local and it’s members. I want to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families, our Brothers & Sisters at the mill and the community who are grieving after this troubling and senseless act of violence in the workplace.
Corey Liebrecht, President
A special thanks to the following for their support of Habitat for Humanity “Steelworker House”.
USW Local 8883 Saskatoon – $250.00
USW Local 6717 Weyburn – $2000.00
CUPE Local 4777 Prince Albert – $500.00
RWDSU Local 955 Yorkton – $500.00
University Of Saskatchewan Faculty Association – $250.00
Once again the local has three (3) openings to sponsor your son or daughter at this camp. Please review the details below and return the application form to the USW office at 26-395 Park St. Regina SK. ASAP. *Spots are not guaranteed and fill quickly for this. We encourage you to act fast to secure yours*
This six day camp focuses on issues relevant to young people. The SFL
Summer Camp addresses challenges facing youth including social justice and equality issues. It combines learning with cooperative recreation activities and lots
of guaranteed fun!
Young people between the ages of 13-16 who are daughters and sons of union
members are eligible to attend.
Our union has a proud history and is forged in tradition that we are all privileged to carry on.
The past few years have been among the most exciting — and the most challenging in our 70 plus years.
We’ve come through a lot. We’ve accomplished a lot. And we have so much more to do.
Through it all — the good times and the bad times — one thing has been proven over and over: we are stronger together.
Bullying is real, unwanted aggressive behavior that involves real or perceived power imbalance and is a occupational hazard that can affect your health and make your workplace toxic. Workplace bullying includes (but is not limited to) social isolation, rumors, personal attacks, verbal or physical aggression, over-monitoring of ones work and even withholding information necessary for work.
Are you experiencing or have witnessed harassment and/or bullying in the workplace?
Stand up and say something. It is the responsibility of everyone who experiences bullying to SPEAK UP and STOP IT! Make it very clear to the bully that their actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Report any incidents to your immediate supervisor. It is their responsibility to take action and respond immediately to any complaint.
Contact your local Union Anti-Harassment Rep. These are members that have been trained to facilitate confidential dialogue in a safe, respectful manner. They can discuss what is happening, providing advice, support and options on how to take action.
Filing a formal complaint is not pleasant but a reality at times. Human Rights Code based discrimination complaints (e.g., harassment based on sex, sexual orientation, race, age, disability) would proceed through the employers internal complaint process as laid out in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. Members have the right to Union representation throughout the complaints procedure. If the complaint is not resolved satisfactory or there is inaction, then a grievance can be filed by the Union.
*There can be no retaliation or reprisal against any worker who brings forward a concern or complaint.
Local Anti-Harassment Reps:
Ned Donaldson – Mike Smith – Corey Liebrecht – Ed Racette – Mike Day
In Solidarity!
A HUGE thank you to…
USW Local 5917 Regina, SK – $500.00
USW Local 6717 Weyburn, SK – $500.00
USW Local 7458 Cory Mine, SK – $500.00
USW Local 7689 Allan Mine, SK – $500.00
Rocanville Potash Employees Association, SK – $500.00
USW Staff Rep. Sonny Rioux who challenges all other staff reps. Regina, SK – $100.00
USW 5890 VP Vasco D’Almeida who challenges all other VP’s. Regina, SK – $500.00
USW 5890 President Corey Liebrecht who challenges all other president’s. Regina SK – $250.00
We’re that much closer to the first ever Steelworkers House. Your donation supports the reality for a family to create the foundation that they can make their home from. As members, locals and a community, please give generously.
5890 Habitat for Humanity Committee
We have successfully launched our campaign to raise $100,000 and are well on our way of reaching our goal of building a Steelworkers House in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Regina. This is a project that we, as Steelworkers, can all be proud of being a part of for many years to come. Making a donation is very simple and can be done securely by clicking on the Habitat link located on our webpage. Visiting www.canadahelps.org/dn/7932 or by filling out a donation sheet that will be available through any CAT member, USW Habitat committee member or from the Union mailbox located in the operation building. Every donation of $10 or more is tax deductible. A donation of $10, from every member per pay check over the next year would help us to reach our goal and allow us to begin the construction on a home for a family in our community. Please give generously to a great cause.
Sincerely,
Corey Liebrecht, President
As you may or may not be aware the original bargained monies of $375 for the new Health spending account expire on December 31, 2013. The Company released the following memo today explaining the HSA and outlining the plan.
Employees who are actively at work and eligible for benefits on March 31, 2012, would have received $375 in their Health Spending Account. Under Income Tax guidelines Health Spending credits must be used on eligible expenses by the end of the following year in which they are granted. This means that the initial $375 must be used prior to December 31, 2013. If it is not used any outstanding amount will be forfeited from your account. Attached is a copy of the original memo introducing the program.
Eligible expenses are defined under the Income Tax Act and can be utilized for yourself and your eligible dependents. These are reviewed by CRA on a regular basis and are subject to change. Attached is a summary from the CRA website showing what currently eligible expenses are. You can also visit the website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca and type in eligible Health Spending expenses to get the list.
You may claim through the Health Spending Account by completing a medical claim form or submitting a claim online. Please review the user guide to web claims that is attached, you will need to contact Standard Life to set up a user name and password, if this is your first time submitting online.
If you have questions on your Health Spending Account balance you will need to contact Standard Life. The number is 1-800-499-4415. You will need to know your certificate number (Evraz ID# with 3 zeros at the end) and your policy number (15037).
As well please read these documents.
Eligible HSA ExpensesUser Guide Web claim
VIP Room – Claims Submissions Direct Deposit and Health Wellness
Standard Life Medical Claim FormStandard Life Medical Claim Form
Brothers & Sisters,
Over the past years the local union and company have participated in a workplace campaign to support a well known charity. This year the local has decided to move in a different direction and on Monday October 7th, 2013 will be kicking off our own good works project in the community by proudly partnering with Habitat for Humanity. We welcome everyone to come and join us at the local union office located at 26 – 395 Park St. on the 7th between 11am – 2pm where a donation will buy a hamburger or hotdog and a drink. Representatives from Habitat, local dignitaries and the media, will be on hand to help us begin our campaign to raise $100,000.00 or more over the next year so that we, as Steelworkers, can assist in building a home for a family here in Regina.
Why, you may ask are we supporting Habitat? We believe this is about giving a hand up and not a hand out. All money raised goes directly to the building of a home. Any administrative costs are covered by profits from the Re-Store with any additional money from there also going directly to the fund. We are also encouraged that families participating in the program must be gainfully employed with a yearly annual income. A 30 year interest free mortgage is repaid and that money goes back into Habitat for other builds. Families must also participate in 500 hours of “sweat equity” were they are part of the build, work at the Re-Store or do administrative duties. As well, Habitat commits itself to assuring these families have the skills and a supportive process to assist them in continued responsible home ownership.
Please contact one of the listed sub-committee members if you would like to participate in one or more of the fund raising events that will be held over the next year.
Corey Liebrecht Union Office 306.569.9663 Cell 306.530.6658
Mike Smith Cell 306.533.9921
Vasco D’Almeida
Dana Faul
Dave McAlpin
Kim Roberts
We are very excited to be undertaking this as a local and are determined to reach our goal. To do that though, we need the support of the entire membership, our families, friends, the Communication Action Team (CAT), Women of Steel (WOS), Steelworkers Organization Of Active Retirees (SOAR) as well as other USW locals right here in Regina, across the province and throughout the country to make this a success. I urge you to get involved, stay involved and rally each other as members behind this great cause. Let’s make this a huge success and something that we, as Steelworkers, can be proud of for years to come.
Solidarity Forever!
Corey Liebrecht, President
*Please note that parking is limited at the office but alternate space is close.
