A decision was handed down from arbitrator Ken Stevenson regarding Brother Brent Wiese, in relation to two grievances filed by the local. Both grievances were dismissed.
News, Developments and Information
Correction on recall Letter from EVRAZ
In the last few days many of the laid off members in Steel were mailed a recall notice from the Comp. It is incorrect in regards to how many days you have to report to work. The document said 5 days. 5 is incorrect. You do not have to report for 10 days.
You can request more days if you can establish a good reason like employment commitments elsewhere.
The following is the updated language ratified in January
Article 12.06 Loss of Seniority
• If the employee is laid off and fails to return to work when notified to do so or within a maximum of 10 calendar days. If the employee can demonstrate that they have legitimate employment elsewhere and must provide a notice period or in other extenuating circumstances beyond the employee’s control, they may request additional time to return and no reasonable request will be denied. In either case the employee will be notified by the Company by telephone and registered mail to their last known address. A copy will be supplied to the Union.
• Laid off employees are responsible to provide the Company with their current contact information.
Committee Members Needed
Brothers and Sisters,
Your local is in need of your help! We are currently looking for anyone that would like to sit on the Steel Shift and Seniority committee and the Steel Contracting Out committee specifically. Tradesman would be the ideal members for the contracting out but any volunteers would be greatly appreciated. For anyone that would like to join these or any of the other committees please contact any Executive officer or call the union office {306-569-9663}. Remember “it’s your union”.
In Solidarity
Steel Recall
The Local has been informed by management that recall notifications will be sent out on Monday June 1st with current laid off employees being on the schedule for June 7th.
In Solidarity
25 Years of Service
Congratulations to the following 36 members who will be recognized for their 25 years of service this evening at the Quarter Century Dinner.
Andre Boehm, Kevin Brown, Alex Camponi, Roy Chinski, Vasco D’Almeida, Curtis Danyluk, Harvey Danyluk, Pat Eisler, Brad Gall, Gordon Gerbrant, Glenn Gerla, Mike Gianoli, Darwin Hennie, Mark Jones, Basil Karahalios, Duane Lawrick, John Leusink, Jason Luby, Scott Mackie, Todd Massier, Tracy McCune, Kent McDonald, Dwayne Mitchell, Perry Morton, Walter Pogorzelski, Randall Read, Ted Reavley, Wayne Shear, Mike Smith, Richard Taylor, Raymond Trenker, Rod Willians, Joe Wirll, Alden Wolbaum, Malcolm Wolitski and Trevor Zerff.
Retiree Serving Suspension
Retiring after 22 years of service and what do you get?
To stay home and serve a suspension day in your last two weeks of work that was issued to you back in August of 2014. It begs the questions of what purpose does this serve in suspending this brother now?
Evraz cited by Sask OHS Branch
Evraz was served a Notice of Contravention by the Government of Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety branch on May 25, 2015.
The issue of the 24 inch final inspection bench was referred to an Occupational Health Officer because the issue could not be resolved internally through the Occupational Health Committee in the Tubular division.
This has been an ongoing battle to resolve this problem with Management since October 2014. Since that time, this work area has recorded a serious injury and seen repeated near miss accidents occur. All of which could have been prevented had management acted on the concerns of employees and our OHS union rep Brother Rob Desnomie.
Instead, he was told he was outright wrong when he pointed out the OHS Regulations the company was continuing to violate and repeated ignored by management on this subject afterward. We are proud to say, Brother Desnomie was vindicated in that regard when the Branch agreed with his position.
It is because of his tireless efforts that we have a decision in this matter. A decision that will make a safer work area for everyone involved. Of course, the company does have the opportunity to appeal this decision. One would hope that they put their money where their mouth is when it concerns safety, practice what they preach and get this fixed promptly!
LAYOFF INTER-DIVISIONAL TRANSFER NOTICE
Regina Steel division members currently laid off, have the opportunity to temporarily transfer into entry level full-time positions for the months of June through August 2015. This will be for vacation coverage in the Regina Tubular division.
Members expressing interest must be available for orientation on June 4 and 5 and will be scheduled to work on the June 7 weekly schedule. These members will forgo any previous approved vacation submitted in the Steel division for the duration they are working in Tubular.
All interested members currently laid off must reply by email no later than 3:00 pm Monday June 1, 2015 to Andrea Johnson, Evraz HR Dept. at andrea.johnson@evrazna.com or at (306) 924-7221 if you have questions.
*Please Note: The number of positions available is 10 and possibly more. Preference will be afforded to the most senior employees who apply by this date.
** All Tubular division members currently laid off, with seniority numbers, are being recalled for a start of June 1, 2015.
*** No hiring for part time summer employment will be offered by the company while members are laid off.
**** This opportunity is subject to operational changes in the Steel division.
COLA 1st Quarter 2015
From the Company:
The CPI figure for April 2015 was released on May 22, 2015. As per the Collective Agreement the following calculation will apply.
April 2015 130.5
January 2015 128.2
Difference 2.3
(Divide by .063 per each 1 cent) = $0.36
Effective with the first pay period after the release, COLA will be $0.24 per straight time hour worked as it was previously -$0.12.
Bork Arbitration Award and Remedy
An award and decision was was handed down from Arbitrator Francine Chad Smith regarding abuse from supervisor and insubordination of employees.
This is a very informative award that outlines what is acceptable behavior of Employees and especially Employers interacting with each other. If you find yourself in the same situation as Mr. Bork in an altercation with a supervisor please disconnect with the supervisor, inform him he is bullying you then contact a steward to grieve for remedy and/or damages.
The Union encourages everyone to read this this arbitration decision.
Steelworkers Humanity Fund, Your Contributions at Work Around the World
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
Arbitration’s
Arbitration Award May 3rd, 2015: Regarding an arbitration heard on March 30th, 2015 on behalf of Brother Marko Gustin, in relation to two grievances filed by the local. The first, a two day suspension and the second being the termination of Brother Gustin. Of these, Madame Arbitrator Francine Chad-Smith ruled that the grievance concerning the suspension would be dismissed. The grievance concerning the termination would be accepted with the termination reduced to a one week suspension with the griever made whole for lost pensionable time, monies, etc.
read here Evraz.USW gustin.sunset and service.dec
Awaiting Award: Regarding an arbitration held on April 8th, 2015 for Brother Shane Bork.
Upcoming Arbitration: May 5th/6th, 2015. Brother Brent Wiese.
Solidarity Forever!
Steel Division Layoffs…Here is what we know.
Management from the Steel Division has confirmed to the local that there will be an extension to those members currently laid off. They can expect a return to work by May 7th, 2015 in the Melt Shop and Rolling Mill. Production members who have been working through the current shut down are also receiving notice of lay off until May 7th.
We were told this is do to a “hole in the order book” that was expected to be filled and has not materialized. Also the reduction of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) product demand because of the slow down of drilling in the oil patch is also playing a factor.
We can’t confirm what we are being told and can only come to our own theories as to what is going on. With that said, when pressed on the outlook going forward. We were told that it doesn’t look like things will change for the foreseeable future.
Plan accordingly Brothers & Sisters. This may be a bumpy ride.
In Solidarity!
Corey Liebrecht
Profit Sharing 1st Quarter 2015
The 1st Quarter 2015 Profit Sharing as per our Collective Bargaining Agreement is $1.28 per eligible hour. Evraz has stated it will be deposited into your bank account on April 30, 2015 or sent to Great West Life to be deposited into the account you have elected.
2015 Day of Mourning
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!
Steel Chief Shop Steward
Brother John Forster is returning to his apprenticeship on Monday April 27th. While John is away, brother Vasco D’Almeida will be acting chief shop steward in the Steel division until his return.
Stepping Up In The Local
Congratulations to Brother’s
Brad Gibbons (Steel Div.)
Brian Chatsis (Steel Div.)
Kushal Patel (Tubular Div.)
Ryan Sande (Tubular Div.)
Mark de Guzman (Tubular Div.)
Justin Welder (Tubular Div.)
All of whom recently submitted their names to be shop stewards and were accepted by the members at the local monthly meeting.
Brother Kurt Chernishenko (Tubular Div.) was also selected to be a pension trustee.
In Solidarity!
Evraz and Employment IInsurance (EI)
Please be aware that Evraz in Calgary has allegedly reported to EI that members of Local 6673 have abandoned their jobs because they became ill on their last day of work before layoff on March 22.
If you become ill in the last week before a layoff please make sure you report the sick day to EI and inquire and report to EI any incorrect information on your record of employment (ROE) especially box 18.
USW Pipe/Rolling Mill Meeting
During the USW District 3 Conference held in Edmonton this week. Representatives from locals 6673 Calgary AB, 5917 Regina SK, 5220 Edmonton AB, 1595 Wabamun AB, 7226 Calgary AB along with this local held a Pipe/Rolling Mill meeting. The meeting was chaired by District Director Steve Hunt along with the Assistant to the Director Scott Lunny and Staff Reps.
25 Year Club Dinner
The Company has stated they intend on having the 25 year award ceremony and social function on May 29.
Election Result Notice
As a result of Brother Mike Smith withdrawing from the race for Chief Shop Steward Tubular. We welcome Brother Ryan Mackenzie as the new Chief Shop Steward of the Tubular Division.
In Solidarity!
Steel Layoff and Schedule
For reasons unknown the Company has decided to move the Steel Division weekly schedules and lay off notice from the entrance of the change room building.
Presently the schedules are posted on the bulletin board marked “Tubular Communications” in yellow above the board.
The layoff notice that appears to be for all employees in the steel division is on the bottom right side.
Please check on your status and refer to article 12 for your bumping rights if the layoff does not involve every member.
As well please be careful that the door workers travelling from the plant utilize doesn’t hit you while bent over studying the notice.
Local Union Election Results
Vice President – Scott Mackie
Financial Secretary – Tory Sand
Chief Shop Steward Tubular – Ryan Mackenzie
Chief Shop Steward O&T – Kim Roberts
Trustees – Nick Little, Doug Massier, Kurt Chernishenko
Congratulations!
To all the members that ran for positions in the local, the election committee and volunteers. Thank you.
In Solidarity!
Steelworkers Launch Petition Calling For Public Inquiry into Sawmill Explosions
BURNABY, BC, April 1, 2015 – The United Steelworkers today launched a petition demanding Premier Christy Clark call a public inquiry into the explosions of the Babine and Lakeland sawmills. Continue reading Steelworkers Launch Petition Calling For Public Inquiry into Sawmill Explosions
Mental Health First Aid
We are happy to announce that seven members of our local along with members from USW 5917 and USW 6717 recently completed training in Mental Health First Aid. This course was held over two days in Regina and was instructed by representatives from the Canadian Mental Health Association.
These members now have the required training to recognize and identify the signs and symptoms in co-workers, family, friends and even strangers who may be or are developing a mental health problem or suffering a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.
These members are not trained to diagnose individuals. Instead they are trained to recognize the symptoms, assess risk, listen, give reassurance, information and to encourage and assist the individual to get the appropriate professional help and continued support they require.
They are here to help! All discussions will be kept private and in the strictest of confidence when speaking to one of the following MHFA trained members in our local.
Vasco D’Almeida
Kim Roberts
Ryan McGillis
Jasmin Imeri
Rob Desnomie
Tim Kachaluba
Corey Liebrecht
The local is in the process of planning more MHFA training and is currently accepting names of members who would have an interest in this course. There are 25 spots with 19 already filled. Please contact Corey Liebrecht at 306.530.6658 or by email c.liebrecht@usw5890.com if you would like to participate in the next class.
In Solidarity!