News, Developments and Information

Profit Sharing Q1 2014

The 1st Quarter, 2014 profit sharing amount resulted in a payout of $1.31 per eligible hour
and it will be deposited into your bank account on April 30, 2014 or sent to Great West Life
to be deposited into your designated account based upon your election.

National Day Of Mourning

In recognition of Canadian workers who were killed, injured or disabled on the
job during the past year.

Every year, more than 1,000 Canadian workers are killed on the job. Thousands more are permanently disabled. Hundreds of thousands are injured. Thousands of others die from cancer, lung disease and other ailments caused by exposure to toxic substances at their workplaces. On April 28th the United Steelworkers mourn with the rest of the nation and pay our respects for these victims of workplace accidents and disease. It is a day to remember the supreme sacrifice they and their family have been forced to make in order to earn a living.

These deaths and injuries should not be in vain. We should use this day as a day to review the pressure we are putting on governments for tougher occupational health and safety standards. A day to rededicate ourselves to the goal of making Canada’s workplaces safer.

Please join us in a service to remember these workers that will be held on Monday April 28th in front of the Regina City Hall, Queen Elizabeth II Court at 5pm.

Local 5890 & 6673

 Respecting Our Past, Securing Our Future

Bargaining Up-Date 2014

Dear Brother/Sister,

 The Bargaining Committees of Local 5890, Regina, and Local 6673, Calgary gathered for two days in Regina last week to continue to discuss and prepare for bargaining with the main focus for the group being proposals.

 Some excellent discussions were held between both locals as we work towards building on a Collective Agreement that will continue to be strong and fair once the bargaining process has been completed. Again, we are asking for your full support of both Bargaining Committees and for our issues that we will be brought forward during this process. At this point and time, there has been no specific date set for bargaining to begin.

 Also taking place early last week, members from both of the Local’s Communication Action Teams (CAT) held a one day training session in Regina. There was a high level of energy, participation and sharing of ideas between the CAT teams. This will certainly be very beneficial to all of us as these members will play an important role during the upcoming negotiations. 

 You’re Bargaining Committees are committed to keeping you informed and updated.

 In Solidarity!

 Local Bargaining Committees 5890/6673

Steelworker Humanity Fund Helped In Calgary Flood Relief

April 4, 2014
COREY LIEBRECHT
USW Local 5890
395 Park St, Unit 26
Regina, SK S4N 5B2

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Re: 2013 Western Canada Flood Relief Appeal

It has been almost nine months since heavy rains caused catastrophic flooding in southern Alberta and parts of British Colombia. Over 100,000 people were displaced from their homes, and damage is reported to have been $5 billion. Last week, it was reported that last June’s watery disaster ranked third highest in the world in disaster insurance claims in 2013.

Steelworker members and their communities were among those affected. The Steelworkers responded with a local union appeal and with a pledge of support from the Steelworkers Humanity Fund. The contribution from your local to the Steelworkers Humanity Support Fund, together with other local unions across the country, and with the individual on-going contributions of thousands of individual Steelworker members to the Humanity Fund, enabled the Steelworkers Humanity Fund to contribute $58,000 to flood relief. Thank you to your local union, SOAR chapter and its members for responding to the Flood Appeal and for your contribution of $1,000.

Steelworkers’ solidarity with individuals and families affected by flooding was shown by:

Support for families and individuals – 20 individuals applied for and received
cheques or gift cards valued at $1,500. One individual received $1,000 for a total
of $ 31,000.

Support for the community – Bowwest Community Support Services Society
received a cheque for $22,000. Bowwest was part of a coalition of community
organizations that monitored the flood and coordinated relief assistance,
directing funding to areas where it would be most effective.

Additional food bank contributions – Because the most vulnerable in our
communities are least resilient and have the hardest time recovering, additional
food bank contributions were made in Calgary and Elkford for a total of $5,000.
Thank you again for your support and solidarity in providing much needed assistance to our members and their communities in a time of need.

In Solidarity,

Ken Neumann, National Director for Canada
Steve Hunt, Director for District 3

Quarter Century Club Dinner

The company is once again hosting the Quarter Century Dinner to be held on May 23, 2014 at the Turvey Center. This years dinner is in recognition of all employees and retirees that have reached their 25 years of service as of December 31, 2013. If you have not received your invitation for you and a guest, contact Nicole Brown at 306.924.7700 or email Regina.Switchboard@evrazna.com by May 5, 2014.

To all the Brother & Sisters that have achieved this milestone, congratulations!

Corey Liebrecht, President

Recent Habitat For Humanity Donations

A special thanks to the following for their support of the Habitat for Humanity “Steelworker House”.

Saskatchewan Joint Board of RWDSU Regina – $1000.00

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3967 Regina – $500.00

CUPE Local 8443 Saskatoon – $100.00

United Steelworkers C/O Randy Rudachek – $100.00

United Steelworkers Local 189 Saskatoon – $250.00

United Steelworkers Local 5917 Regina – $4500.00

United Steelworkers South Sask Area Council – $5000.00

“Steelworker House” Steak Night Fundraiser

Date: May 24th, 2014

Location: The Last Straw Brew Pub 127 Albert St. N.

Time: 4pm to 11pm

Price: $20.00 per ticket

Door Prizes: Throughout the evening

Tickets are available now at the Local 5890 office located at 26-395 Park St. Regina between 8am – 4pm Mon – Friday or by contacting Corey Liebrecht, Vasco D’Almeida, Mike Smith or Dave McAlpin.

Please come out and support this great project!

Membership Survey & Meetings

On behalf of the Executive and Bargaining Committee, I wish to thank the Sisters and Brothers who participated in the membership survey that was recently distributed and those who attended one of the three meetings that were held. We received a lot of important feedback and are currently in the process of going through all the information our members supplied to us in regards to bargaining later this year.

As we move into this process, I would like to say how proud I am of this local and it’s members. Along with your bargaining committee, I know we will work tirelessly in an effort to bring to our membership a contract that you can be proud of. What will be of key importance in obtaining that, is for the membership to continue to stay involved and participate in what is essentially your future. You are the ones that will make the changes that you have asked for. The bargaining process is about you Sister and it’s about you Brother. Whether your a probationary employee, senior employee nearing retirement or anywhere in between, bargaining a strong collective agreement is about us standing together as one.

Solidarity Forever!

Corey Liebrecht, President

 

 

 

Locals 5890 & 6673

 Bargaining Up-Date

 STAND UP-FIGHT BACK

 

The Bargaining Committees of both Locals 5890, Regina, and Local 6673, Calgary spent a few days in Regina last week discussing and preparing for bargaining later this year.

 USW District 3 Director, Steve Hunt was with us for the first day and Staff Representatives, Keith Turcotte and Sonny Rioux work with us as well.

 Our bargaining committees participated in a bargaining training session along with some great discussions, which conclude with each LOCAL UNION pledging SOLIDARITY well into the future.

 As we progress and get closer to meeting the Employer, at the bargaining table, support for your Bargaining Committees and for our issues will contribute to our success. In addition, some of you may be called on to assist your Local union during the bargaining process. We look forward to working with all of you.

 Your Bargaining Committees are committed to keeping you informed.

 Remember Solidarity Works

 In Solidarity!

 Your Bargaining Committee

 

26th Annual SFL Youth Summer Camp

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.

Continue reading 26th Annual SFL Youth Summer Camp

Stronger Together

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.

http://vimeo.com/87817737

Steelworker House Donation

A huge thank you to the members of the Rocanville Potash Employees Association who recently made a $5000.00 donation in support of the Habitat for Humanity “Steelworker House”. Outstanding!

Bullying At Work Is Harassment

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!

 

USW District 3 Partners For Life Program

This year the USW District 3 HSE Committee is pledging to donate a minimum of 100 litres of blood. You can help.

To join our Partners For Life Team and have all your donations count towards our annual lifesaving goal of 100, please go to:           

www.blood.ca/joinpartnersforlife  and use PFL ID# UNIT 013969

 Fun Fact to share: Every blood donation saves three lives because each donation is split into its three components – red blood cells, platelets and plasma – so a single donation will go to three hospital patients. When you consider that one person can have such a huge impact, it’s easy to imagine what the entire District 3 team can do!

 *Individual Booking Process:

Please call 1.888.2.DONATE (1.888.236.6283) to book an appointment, and review questions and eligibility inquires.

Did you know that one in two Canadians will need blood in their lifetime?

Donating Blood

By donating blood, we can help cancer patients, premature babies, accident/injury victims, people undergoing surgery and transplants, as well as those suffering from blood diseases, burns and shock. A patient suffering from cancer can use up to eight units of blood a week in their treatment! The need for blood never stops, and you, and your team, can help.

 Donor Eligibility

 Canadian Blood Services has screening criteria for all blood donors, in place for the safety of the blood system.

 Basic Requirements for Donating Blood

 1. First time donors must be between the ages of 17 and 61

2. Donors must weigh at least 110 lbs

3. ID is required

4. You must wait 6 months to donate after having a piercing or tattoo

5. If you’ve travelled outside of North America within the past year, please call our toll free line, and speak to a clinic nurse to make sure you did not travel to what we consider a ‘malaria risk area’. 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283)

 For additional eligibility questions, please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or visit www.blood.ca

 

Union Meeting

Reminder to all Brothers & Sisters,

Monthly union meeting tonight at 7:30pm sharp, Regina Union Center 2709 12th Ave. Downstairs using south side entrance. 

Agenda:

Communications
Grievance Reports
Financial Reports
Committee’s Reports
Staff Rep. Report
Initiation of new members
Unfinished/New Business


Stay informed and be involved in your local.

Tubular Division Layoff Update

The union has been informed by management that the pending layoff for January 20th will be extended by one week to January 27th as a precautionary measure in accordance with Article 12.12(b) of the current CBA. Rail cars are now arriving daily with CP and CN rail assuring continued supply for demand. We are cautiously optimistic that shipments will no longer be interrupted and hopeful that members will not experience any layoff through this period. The local will continue to keep information current and accurate as we move through this process. 

In Solidarity!