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 there has been rumors and talk of a pending layoff. Yesterday, in discussions with management in both the Steel and Tubular Divisions. It was confirmed there is NO plans for layoffs and crewing levels will remain full into the new year. Also mentioned was plans to start running all four Spiral mills starting in early December.
In Solidarity!
TORONTO – United Steelworkers (USW) National Director Ken Neumann today announced the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is contributing $154,000 to 71 food banks in communities where USW members live and work. Continue reading Steelworkers Humanity Fund Contributes $154,000 to 71 Food Banks Across Canada
Congratulations to Sister Dana Faul who was recently nominated and accepted to represent our local on the South Saskatchewan Area Council USW as Vice President. Dana has also accepted the position as a representative of the United Steelworkers in a VP role on the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) for the next three years. She also currently holds the position on the Executive of 5890 as Treasurer. Is a member of the Bargaining committee and Shop Stewart.
When you are injured at work, it is very important that you do the following. Always make sure you report your injury at work by documenting it. This information will assist in processing any future Compensation claims for the injury if there is any further complications were you may require time off work.
If you are deemed unfit to return to work by your physician, a specialist or surgeon because of a injury you sustained on the job. Make sure the doctor is specific when documenting any restrictions you may have and the amount of time off work that they recommend. We strongly advise that you follow ALL the recommendations of the physician including remaining off work until they have cleared you for a return. Continue reading Navigating A Lost Time Injury At Work
Matheson – November 13, 2014 (Suspension) *Resolved/Cancelled
Kups – November 21, 2014 (Disqualification)
Little – January 22, 2015 (Substance Testing)
Ross – February 12-13, 2015 (Suspension/Substance Testing)
Sim – March 18, 2015 (Suspension)
Bork – April 8, 2015 (Suspension)
Simank April 9, 2015 (Suspension)
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
United Steelworkers launches biggest radio ad campaign in its history to end yearlong labour dispute at can-maker Crown Holdings
TORONTO, Oct. 14, 2014 /CNW/ – Today the United Steelworkers (USW) is launching a radio advertising campaign aimed at ending a yearlong strike at Toronto beer can manufacturer Crown Holdings.
Compelling, 30-second spots encourage consumers to “buy bottles, not cans” when purchasing beer, to support factory workers who have been on the picket line for 13 months. Continue reading Buy Bottled Beer, Not Cans, Steelworkers Say
Canadian Blood Services has launched an official appeal to urge Canadians to donate blood immediately. This is the first time since 2008 that Canada’s inventory has reached such a critically low level. All blood donors are needed, in particular those with type O and A blood.
If the trend is not reversed, we will have difficulty meeting the expected hospital demand across the country and this could impact patients. As a valued partner, we are looking to you to help us rise to the challenge and help your fellow Canadians.
We are actively increasing our efforts by extending clinic hours where needed, accommodating more walk in donors, and fitting in additional group bookings. Please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or contact your local Canadian Blood Services representative if you have any questions about what you can do to help.
With only three months left in the Partners for Life pledge year, nationally we are 16,262 blood donations behind target. We are counting on our partner network to rally together to meet the pledge as a country, saving thousands of lives from coast to coast.
October 8, 2014 Toronto:
Our union has a fatality approximately every 9 days.
Bringing this sad reality even closer to home for the delegates on this third and final day of this conference was the families of three members. Jordan Fram, crushed by 350,000 tons of muck (water, sand and mud). Sam Fitzpatrick, crushed by a boulder the size of a car. John Savinkoff, drowned when his excavator overturned into a slough.
Oct 6, 2014 Toronto:
Today marked the opening day of this conference that has brought together hundreds of USW delegates from across Canada who are hearing about the latest issues and trends affecting workers. They are participating in workshops, sharing ideas and gaining new incite to practical skills and knowledge that will help make our places of work safer. Continue reading United Steelworkers National Health, Safety and Environmental Conference Oct 6-8, 2014
Brothers & Sisters;
One more round of negotiations concluded this week in Regina with both bargaining committees from locals 5890 and 6673 making gains that will positively affect all members. We have reached tentative agreements on a number of local and joint common language proposals.
Locally some of these include: Amendments to the 24” agreement, pay stubs, seniority, job postings, lines of progression as well as amendments to Appendix “A”, “B” & “E”.
Tentative agreements have also been reached on common non monetary proposals: Temporary Supervisors, Union orientation for new members, Inter- plant transfers, discrimination & harassment, Pension Trustee language, disciplinary & suspension procedure and contracting out.
Updates will continue to be distributed through the CAT members, web page and Facebook page.
Dates for the next round of discussions regarding “Non Monetary” language proposals are October 27/28/29, 2014.
Remember this is your future…
“We are Stronger Together”
In Solidarity!
Bargaining Committee
USW 5890 / 6673
Will take place on Monday September 15th, 7:30 pm sharp. Regina Union Center, 2709 12th Ave. downstairs. Please use the south side entrance.
Agenda:
Initiation of new members
Staff Rep. Report
Grievance Reports
Financial Reports
Committee’s Reports
Communications
Unfinished/New Business
***Third and final reading of three for amendments to local by-laws. Vote to follow.
Stay informed, stay involved in your local.
Common Non Monetary
Sisters and Brothers;
On September 3, 4 & 5 your bargaining committees from USW 5890 and 6673 met with the company to start negotiating “Common Non Monetary” proposals.
Although a few proposals were tentatively agreed to we are very much at the early stages of this portion of the negotiating process. We assure our members from both locals that your bargaining committee is committed to giving every union proposal the attention that it deserves and nothing less, this is not a race.
Our next bargaining dates are September 8 – 12 & September 29 – October 3.
Remember this is your future and Solidarity works.
“We Are Stronger Together”
In Solidarity!
Bargaining Committee
USW 5890 / 6673
C.A.T. is a network of communication between the local union leaders, bargaining committee and the membership as a whole. It is responsible for bringing the union message past the plant gates, right into the lunch rooms and onto the floor of our workplace. Acting as a direct link to important, factual information concerning the members of this local. Which in turn, opens another avenue for members to voice their concerns, questions or suggestions to the local executive and bargaining committee. The C.A.T consists of the following members.
Les Horvath – Dark Room (Spiral)
Tory Sand – Lab (Steel)
Vasco D’Ameida – Motor Room
John Forster – Motor Room
Kim Roberts – O&T
Tim Osborne – O&T
Shannon Fletcher – Operation Building
Jon Jackson – R&D
Bryon Folk – Rolling Mill
Tim Kachaluba – Safety (Steel)
Rob Desnomie – Safety (Tubular)
John Asmay – Salvage
Mike Smith – Spiral Finishing
Ray Sopko – Spiral Finishing
Rosey Shiels – Spiral Finishing
Joshua Kretschmer – Spiral Finishing
Kelly Wallis – Spiral Finishing
Kerry Molloy – Spiral Finishing
Jon Solman – Spiral Finishing
Dana Faul – Steel Stores
Dwayne Mitchell – Tubular Yard
Dallas Houston – Tubular Yard
Brent Henningsen – 24” Mill Line
Garret Rosko – 24” Finishing Line
The next round of non-monetary negotiations will take place in Regina on September 3/4/5. 8/9/10/11/12.
In Solidarity!
MONTREAL – The Transportation Safety Board sees things clearly! The report that was released today confirms what the Syndicat des Métallos (United Steelworkers) has been saying all along: that the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MMA) was taking safety risks and Transport Canada failed in its duty to provide supervision and monitoring.
It is time to stop treating the workers as scapegoats. The TSB’s message is crystal clear: the MMA “cut corners” with respect to safety, and Transport Canada did not carry out inspections “often enough and thoroughly enough,” and lacked the means to ensure that the Safety Management System set out on paper was actually effective. Continue reading Finally the True Culprits, Transport Canada and MMA, Are Identified
TORONTO – The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is contributing $25,000 to combat spread of deadly Ebola virus in West Africa.
“The Ebola outbreak has killed over 1,000 people in three of the world’s poorest countries – Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia, and the World Health Organizations warns that the outbreak is not yet under control,” said Ken Neumann, President of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund. “In response the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is making a $10,000 contribution to Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières, as well as providing $15,000 to a grassroots NGO in Liberia to help prevent the spread of the deadly virus.” Continue reading Steelworkers Humanity Fund contributes $25,000 for Ebola support in West Africa
We are pleased to announce that Sister Shannon Fletcher who has been a member of the local for 4 years and Brother Joe Semere who has been a member for 20 years, have been nominated and accepted by the membership to become shop stewards. Please welcome Sister Fletcher who works in the Operations Building and Brother Semere who works in the Melt Shop to their new roles.
In Solidarity!
The monthly membership meeting will take place on Monday August 18th, 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
*Second reading of three for amendments to local by-laws
Stay informed, stay involved in your local.
Solidarity Forever!
