News, Developments and Information

Today the joint layoff/recall committee met with the company to discuss the status of the upcoming layoffs and issues around that. The meeting began with the company saying those employees who didn’t bump would be laid off, they then continued that they have only told employees that bumping is an option and not forcing them to do so. After some discussion, it seems the company understands that members don’t have to bump to survive a layoff. We left that meeting with the feeling both sides were not far apart.

The company has agreed to create a bump schedule showing all employees and bump lines so you can make proper and educated decision if you “choose” to exercise your bumping rights. We highly recommend that the members take a look at these before filling out bump forms if you choose to do so. The union has not received copies as of yet and will likely be incomplete, please keep an eye out for information as it rolls out. This cutback is not like previous cutbacks and mistakes are likely to occur, please contact a steward or executive member so we can try and get the issue resolved.

2nd Quarter Results
Our financial performance for the second quarter of 2024 resulted in profit-sharing payments for employees under the plan. Qualifying employees will receive a bonus payment of $0.96 per eligible hour, which will be deposited directly into your bank accounts by August 16, 2024.
This quarter we faced challenges as the market for flat products continued to soften, leading to decreases in selling price and volume. Although Portland slab volume was down with the market, we were able to offset some of that with third party coil sales from Regina.
Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) volumes were also lower than prior quarter due primarily to the annual spring break-up. Dumped pipe imports into Canada continue to put significant pressure on the OCTG and line pipe markets.
On the Operational side, we idled the 24” mill after completing a small order of approximately 5,000 tons. In response to market demand, we restarted the Regina 2″ mill line to support the OCTG market. Our ongoing initiatives with EBS continue to drive cost savings and have positively impacted our conversion costs, further enhancing our operational efficiency and improving profitability for the quarter.
Looking Forward
The safety of our employees remains our top priority. We must continue to focus on improving our safety performance by stopping unsafe work, reporting all near misses, and keeping each other safe.
As we look ahead, we will continue to closely monitor market conditions and take proactive steps to stay competitive. Our focus will remain on delivering high-quality products, managing costs effectively, and fulfilling our commitments to our valued customers.

Members,

Your 5890 bargaining team met with Evraz for 3 days on July 9th, 10th and 11th. Progress was made on multiple non-monetary proposals with a few outstanding proposals left for both the Union and Company. Our remaining local proposals have been moved forward to main table. Progress slowed on the Thursday after the Union was informed of the F.B.I action in the U.S facilities.

We have tentative dates of Aug 13 to 16, 2024 for main table bargaining.

In Solidarity,

USW 5890 Bargaining Committee

Members,

Yesterday morning, before we could begin bargaining for the day, your bargaining committee was informed by Evraz management that on Wednesday the Federal Bureau of Investigation “visited” Evraz’s U.S locations.

At this time there has been no information as to the reason. All North American facilities have been made aware of the situation. When more information comes our way, we will share what we can.

Members,

On June 25th your bargaining committees from Calgary(USW6673), Regina(USW5890) along with Staff
Representatives Patrick Veinot (lead negotiator), Darrin Kruger (Area Coordinator AB & SK) and District 3 Director Scott Lunny met with Evraz management from Regina, Calgary and Chicago to kick off bargaining and listen to the company’s state of the business presentation. No news was given on the state of the sale other then ” it’s progressing”.

Tuesday afternoon, Calgary and Evraz non-monetary proposals were exchanged. USW 6673’s next dates for non-monetary are the week of July 29/2024. USW 5890 and Evraz exchanged and began non-monetary discussions on the 26th and 27th.

We(5890) are scheduled to meet with the company again on July 9th, 10th and 11th to continue with local non-monetary.

GET UPDATES FROM USW5890, TEXT 5890 TO THE NUMBER 32323

In solidarity,

Local 5890 Bargaining Committee

Members,

Yesterday the company informed the Union that they are in need of 10 individuals for summer relief in the Steel Division. These members are to be classified as Steel Helpers and utilized in the Melt Shop and Caster. The expectation is this will run until mid September. The company will be contacting individuals laid off in Tubular by seniority until they have the 10 confirmed.

The CPI figure for April was released on May 21, 2024. Per the Collective Agreement,

the following calculation will apply:

January 2024 159.7
April 2024 162.0
Difference 2.3
Divide difference by .063 = 36.5

Effective June 2, 2024, COLA will be $3.24 per straight-time hour worked, as it was
previously $2.88.

Members,

The Union and the Company will be meeting on June 25/24 to open bargaining. The Union had given the company 2 weeks of availability at the end of May but the company wasn’t able to commit to those dates.

We will meet with the Calgary local on the 24th, then the company on the 25th. We look to be exchanging proposals on the 25th and begin on Regina Local issues for the remainder of that week.

1st Quarter Results
Our financial performance for the first quarter of 2024 resulted in profit-sharing payments for employees under the plan. The payout will be $2.43 per eligible hour bonus payment for qualifying employees deposited into your bank account by May 17, 2024.
An increase in Portland slab shipment, lower average selling prices, and a favorable foreign exchange adjustment impact for the quarterly profit-sharing plan calculation impacted our financial performance.
We continued to see lower OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods) volume during the quarter, mainly due to imported pipe into Canada from other countries at significantly lower selling prices. As a result, our OCTG volume was slightly lower compared to the prior quarter. The Regina 2″ mill line was idled in late January in response to lower demand for our Carbon Tubing products.
Despite these challenges, the impact of the lower OCTG volume was offset by the increase in Portland slab shipment, which enabled us to keep our coil cost low. Furthermore, our ongoing efforts with EBS yielded positive results in our conversion costs.
Regina 24″ commenced production in late January to fulfill a small order; the current plan is to idle the mill after the completion of the current order if a new order is not secured. Regina’s Spiral remained idle during the quarter.
Looking Forward
The safety of our employees is important to us; therefore, we must continue to focus on improving our safety performance, stopping unsafe work, and reporting all near misses; doing these will help us have better safety performance.
We continue to monitor the market and consistently take necessary measures to ensure we remain competitive while controlling operational performance with a focus on the quality of our products, managing costs effectively, and fulfilling our commitments to our valued customers.

4th Quarter Results
Our financial performance for the fourth quarter of 2023 resulted in profit-sharing payments for employees under the plan. The payout will be a $1.95 per eligible hour bonus payment for qualifying employees deposited into your bank account by May 17, 2024.
Our financial performance during this quarter was driven by notable increases in third-party shipment and OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods) sales volume compared to the previous quarter. While we observed an increase in OCTG and line pipe sales volume compared to the previous, it was slightly lower than the volume recorded in the first quarter. This reduction can be attributed mainly to the ongoing impact of imported pipe into Canada, which is being sold at significantly lower prices.
Additionally, our average selling prices for OCTG products continued to decline, experiencing an 11% decrease compared to the previous quarter. Although we witnessed an increase in third-party shipments from Regina steel, this was partially offset by a reduction in Portland slab shipments due to softening in the flat market.
Throughout the quarter, Regina Tubular’s 24″ and spiral mills remained idled.
Looking Forward
The safety of our employees is important to us; therefore, we must continue to focus on improving our safety performance, stopping unsafe work, and reporting all near misses; doing these will help us have a better safety performance.
We continue to monitor the market and consistently take necessary measures to ensure we remain competitive while controlling operational performance with a focus on the quality of our products, managing costs effectively, and fulfilling our commitments to our valued customers.

Members,

Over the past month the Union and Company have been in discussions regarding the possibility of maintaining some of the current Tubular Maintenance personal throughout Regina Operations. In the companies view, they wish to use 4 Tubular Maintenance members on “Special projects” throughout all of Regina Operations. Meaning, they would have the ability to move them back and forth between Tubular and Steel whenever they see fit. Even though the company says it is not looking at centralized maintenance that’s exactly what this is. This is after the company has agreed that these members would bounce back and forth in Divisions to cover vacation, absenteeism, down days and their “special projects”. It is the Unions position that for one, these members are still needed in Tubular and for two, if not, they can be used in Steel under the same Letter of Understanding that we have previously agreed to.

Mr. Forster has said at the town halls, he will follow the C.B.A, well it appears not in this instance. If the company can’t get there way around the C.B.A, layoffs are going to be issued. The company originally had said the transfer would include 1 Electrician, 1 Mill Right, and 2 Electrical Techs from Tubular. Layoff notices have now changed to 1 Electrician, 2 Mill Rights and 1 Electrical Tech. The Union finds it very difficult to believe the company wished anything else but the opportunity to centralize maintenance and bastardize the collective agreement. When these discussions first started, the companies contention was this would reduce contractors on the Steel side but yet at the same time, there would be layoffs/cutbacks with steel maintenance. A comment that was later said to be “misinterpreted”, although confirmed by the Maintenance Manager. The Union has tried to work with the company on maintaining employment for our members the best we can within the confines of the C.B.A but the company refuses and wants all the hardships to fall on our members and the C.B.A!

Social Club Members,

The social club is looking for at least 2 members who can work together and volunteer their time to organize and plan events such as;

BBQ & Dances, Golf Tournaments, Kids Christmas Party.

This would include the booking of Venues & Entertainment, Order Tickets & Supplies, Sell Tickets, Make Posters (put up &take down), Banking related to the Club, taking information for all members for kids ages for the kids Christmas party, buying & wrapping gifts, set up and take down for the party

If you’re interested in volunteering please email Evrazsocialclub@live.com by May 17/24

The Social Club will not succeed without members volunteering!

Mike Day has been re-elected as President

Jim Cassano , Kirk Glines and Scott Trenaman have been elected as Trustees.

Mike Day has been re-elected as President of Local 5890

Scott Trenaman, Jim Cassano and Kirk Glines have been elected as Trustees.

Thank you for voting.

Members, please see the attached links if you or a family member is interested in applying for a USW Scholarship.

USW Post Secondary Scholarships

USW Indigenous Scholarships

The David Ellis Scholarship

Leadership Development Scholarship Program

Rudychuk Scholarship Placement Program

Labour College of Canada Scholarships

Members,

On April 28th the Regina and District Labour Council will be hosting the Day of Mourning Vigil at City Hall. Weather Permitting. Please see the details below.

Where: Queen Elizabeth Court II
City Hall 2476 Victoria Ave
When: Sunday April 28, 2024
Time: 4:00 pm
Alternate Location
Regina Union Centre
2709 – 12TH Ave
Meeting Room Downstairs
Reception to follow: at the Union Centre 2709 – 12th Ave, back door, downstairs.
Join Regina & District Labour Council to remember the workers killed in Saskatchewan last year 2023.

Today the Union Executive met with Evraz Senior Leadership (Michael Yeats, Brad Forster, Debbie Beaton, Fiona Adams). The company gave a brief business update, all markets are depressed. That being said, the price of hot rolled coil has increased slightly in the last week.

Late last week there was a decision on normal values by the Canadian Border Services Agency against the Korean Steel maker HUSTEEL. The language from CBSA wasn’t as strong as Evraz had hoped but the normal values appear to favor Evraz. The Union and Company will be in discussion for next steps as we have worked together on numerous cases and 5890 has lead the way on the USW National Stand for Steel Campaign .

The Steel shutdown looks as though it will be 2 weeks at the end of April and we have been informed that will run from April 22nd till May 8th. There appears to be no change in production for May, however the summer months may be different. Further discussions between the union and company on that in roughly the next month.

Tubular will have the 24″ finishing off the last of the remaining order in the next couple weeks and the 2″ moving to 1 crew. Mill Operator recalls should happen for April 15th. Its expected to remain on 1 crew for most of summer.

There was no update on the sale of Evraz. The company is hoping to be able to announce things in the next few months.

The CPI figure for January was released on February 20, 2024. Per the Collective Agreement, the following calculation will apply:

Oct 2023 160.6
Jan 2024 159.7
Difference (0.9)
Divide difference by .063 = ($0.14)

Effective February 25, 2024, COLA will be $2.88 per straight-time hour worked, as it was previously $3.02

Members,

Be advised that in accordance with Clause 11.01;

Annual vacation requests must be submitted by March 15
for the period of May 1 to April 30 of the following year. The
approved schedule of annual vacations submitted by March
15 will be posted by April 1. Vacation requests submitted
after March 15 will be approved on a first come first serve
basis and a response will be provided within two weeks of
the request

If the company fails to post approved annual vacations by April 1 or if you have been unreasonably denied please contact a shop steward or an executive member.

Please be advised that EVRAZ Calgary has following position available:

Millwright Position (1)

All expenses will be the responsibility of the interested employee.
Given the current layoff status, and in accordance with Article 12.15 (Interplant Trans-fers), “opportunity will be afforded to laid-off members from Regina prior to the hiring of new employees”.

Please contact Dana El-kerm at HRAlberta@evrazna.com or 587-436-6384 by February 9, 2024 if you would like to be considered for this position.

Members,

The 2024 Bargaining surveys are now out! If you are signed up for the text program you should have received a survey through text. There are also paper copies distributed throughout the plant and copies left at the Hilton. If you are filling out the paper copy, please return that to the survey box at the Hilton.

Please take time to fill out the surveys, this is your chance to set the direction of the bargaining committee.

In Solidarity

Members, THE BELOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO REDUCTION OF CREWS IN STEEL

The Company and Union have agreed to ten (10) temporary Inter Divisional Transfers to the Steel Division. Both parties agree this opportunity will be afforded to the most senior Tubular employees. These employees will have the right to return to the Tubular Division based on their plant seniority.

This LOU is in effect the next day following the signing of this document and will end on March 31, 2024.

HR will be in contact with individuals starting with the most senior, each person will have 7 days to consider the transfer with anticipated training starting on Feb 5/2024. This opportunity is for ALL Tubular and not just those on layoff. These transfers are considered Steel Helpers and do not have rights to bid or be placed in preferred positions.

Members,

It has come to my attention that there has been false rumors being spread regarding finances that pertain to the local, the District and the National offices and I would like to set things straight.

This local has, is and will assist both the National and District offices in regards to training, instructing, organizing, etc. Historically, the local has and continues to have a standing motion to be reimbursed by either office.

What does that mean? It means that any individual taken off work for work with the National or District office is paid by the local and then the local is reimbursed for all expenses and lost time. If there are any questions please reach out to myself (Mike Day) or one of the Financial Officers; Tory Sand, Dana Franklin ( on leave), Kimberly Roberts( temporary covering Dana). As noted at every membership meeting, if any member wishes to see the Financial they can do so by making an appointment at the office.