News, Developments and Information

3 Day Layoff Update

Tubular Division – Management has confirmed late this afternoon that an anticipated 3 day layoff planned for January 13th-16th inclusive for the Spiral Mill has been cancelled. Notice for the January 20th indefinite layoff is still in effect.

Steel Division – Management has notified the union that due to a lack of proper scrap material, they are preparing to implement the 3 day layoff clause that will effect members in the Rolling Mill on January 11th & 12th. Members working in the Melt Shop will be effected January 13th & 14th with operations resuming to full capacity in both areas on January 15th. Some members will remain working during this time to assist with maintenance projects.

Possible Layoffs Coming In Tubular Division

A conference call was held this morning with the local at the request of Amit Baghel, general manager of the Tubular division. Our discussion centered around the rumor of pending layoffs in the division. Here is what we have learned.

Shaw pipe that is coating and shipping the current spiral order is having difficultly obtaining rail cars. The apparent reason for this delay is that the rails cars are held up due to winter storms that have hit the eastern part of Canada and the United States. As a result, management is considering a couple of options. A three day layoff in the near future. The possibility of an even longer layoff later in the month or both. Depending on the length and timing of layoffs, this could effect approximately 80% of our members currently working in the Spiral and 24″ mill lines and finishing departments.

Mr. Baghel would not confirm or commit to us any further plans except to say that members can expect to receive a 14 day notice of a pending layoff some time in the coming week. He has told us that more information will be made available to the union and membership on Monday January 6th when management will begin meeting with all the crews.

Fact: There is currently 510 members working in the Tubular division.

Can You Imagine Your Employer Shredding Your Pay Stub?

As most if not all of our membership is aware, the company has decided to start using an Epost system that you must register for in order to obtain your pay stub and T4’s. The only other option they have left available to you is a 21 hour window to pick up a hard copy of your pay stub before each pay day. As well, it is the Union’s understanding that this will be the last year that the the Company will have a hand delivered copy of a T4 sent to your home. Even more disturbing and outright mind boggling is the fact by confirmation earlier today fromthe payroll department, that any remaining pay stubs left in the company’s possession after each pay period will be shredded. That’s right…SHREDDED!

We have a number of obvious concerns and issues related to how the Company is handling and handcuffing you on what we believe is a right to have basic access to your personal work related information, especially concerning a record of your payroll information. The Local is weighing it’s options on how to best respond to this and defend our rights collectively. We will take all actions available and necessary in making sure we protect our members.

In Solidarity!

Arbitrator Holds Evraz to Issuing Fair Discipline

The local was successful at arbitration regarding discipline for Proznick that involved almost all aspects of the definitive KVP decision from 1965. Please read an overview of guide to the 6 rules of  The KVP Award on Company Rules . A three day suspension was removed.

Hopefully this decision will illustrate to Evraz  and its management team that they cannot act in an arbitrary, discriminatory or unreasonable manner when implementing policies and enforcing them.

Here is the decision regarding Mr Proznick      Evraz USW Proznick dis.KVP

Please take the time to read both documents.

Steelworkers House Donations

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

Solidarity Forever Brothers & Sisters in Calgary LU 6673

The issues we have been facing for some time now have been challenging for all our members to say the least, the adversities we have faced and continue to face makes me reflect on the lessons I learned when I played hockey as a youth. I recall it like it was yesterday when our team would be winning games and everything was going great, our morale was high, solidarity among my team mates was strong and everything seemed to work in our favor, life was good when we were winning. But when things didn’t go our way and nothing seemed to go right and everything seemed hopeless, the coach would always say to us in the locker room, “ We need to get back to the basics, keep it simple and don’t get to fancy, work together and do your job!”

This advice is a good one and is still used today, when the opposing team throws everything they have at you and tries to shake you off your game mentally and physically it can affect your team’s morale, solidarity and ultimately affect your performance. No question it’s easy to be part of a winning team when everything is going great, but during times when the chips are down and you’re losing. Well this is the time when the true character of any team and as a person is put to the test.

During those times is when we need to make choices, we can kneel and bow our heads as individuals and accept defeat, or we can stand up and fight back together as Steelworkers by continuing to apply relentless offense to anything that may jeopardize our way of life and our objective of Good Jobs, Strong Union. All the while never forgetting to defend and protect the goals we have already achieved.

I ask for all our members to look at ourselves and see that we are all brothers and sisters of our great union the United Steelworkers. Even though we all come from different walks of life and different parts of the globe, we all have one universal thing in common. We all as people aspire for a healthy and prosperous future for ourselves, our children and for our families. We come to work today to financially support our way of life and to secure our future, but let us never forget. We have the privilege as a union of being able to leave behind a bright future and legacy for the next generation of Steelworkers and their families that will follow behind us, and I believe that’s worth preserving and fighting for.

We have a great membership at USW Local 6673, we are battle hardened and strong. Let’s get back to basics and do what we do best by producing the best pipe and tubing in the world.

Solidarity Forever

Bryan Ross
President
United Steelworkers
Local 6673

Steelworkers House

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

Health Spending Account Deadline

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

Local 5890 Proudly Partners With Habitat

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.

Happy Labour Day

The local union executive would like to wish all our members and their family a safe and happy Labour Day. As workers this day is for us. Take a moment to reflect, celebrate and be thankful. Lets remain mindful, that the struggle is still very real for many workers. So it remains, that there is still much work ahead for all of us.

Solidarity Forever!

Corey Liebrecht, President.

The labor movement was the principle force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress. Out of it’s bold struggles, economic and social reform gave birth to unemployment insurance, old age security, government relief for the destitute and, above all, new wage levels that meant not mere survival but a tolerable life.

The captains of industry did not lead this transformation. They resisted it until they were overcome. When the wave of union organization crested over the nation, it carried to secure shores not only itself but the whole of society.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Steelworkers Contribute $125,800 to Lac-Mégantic Recovery

Lag-Meg-Donation4-1

Lac-Mégantic QC- The United Steelworkers (USW) has contributed $125,800 to recovery efforts in the devastated community of Lac-Mégantic, the largest donation ever made by the union in Quebec.

The USW contribution was presented to the Red Cross in Lac-Mégantic by an emotional Daniel Roy, the Steelworkers’ Quebec Director.

“Like all Quebeckers, we were deeply affected by this tragedy which took the lives of dozens of people, many in the prime of their lives, and which decimated the community’s historic downtown,” Roy said.

“One of the victims was a Steelworkers member and two more of our members lost their spouses. This tragedy also is especially difficult for our members who work at MMA and who witnessed the horror first-hand. We rallied together these past few days in an effort to help the victims of this devastating event.”

The $125,800 contribution came from funds donated by Steelworkers local unions in Quebec, as well as the Steelworkers Humanity Fund and other USW sources.

The Steelworkers Humanity Fund, which is supported by USW members across the country, provided $25,000. The USW international union contributed $30,000 and the union representing Steelworkers staff donated $10,000.

The USW represents approximately 5,000 workers in the rail industry in Canada, including 75 employees of Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway (MMA), which owned the train that exploded in Lac-Mégantic.

“The Steelworkers family is in mourning,” Roy said. “One of our members, who was employed by Portes Lambton, is among the victims, along with his spouse. The spouse of another of our members at Portes Lambton, who worked at Musi-Café, also lost her life.”

The USW represents workers at Portes Lambton, a door manufacturer near the community of Lac-Mégantic.

The Steelworkers Humanity Fund supports development projects and emergency aid in developing countries around the world, and assists Canadian communities in crisis. Steelworkers members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into their collective agreements.

USW Communications