News, Developments and Information

The CAT Is Prowling

Our local has established a Communications Action Team (CAT). You may have already met a member over the last week handing out flyers during shift changes. Seen one of those flyers on a lunch room table or posted on bulletin boards throughout the mills and offices.

CAT is a group of Brothers and Sisters that have volunteered their time to provide a network of communication between local union leaders, the bargaining committee and the membership as a whole. Cat members are responsible for bringing the unions message past the gates of the plant and right onto the shop floor, lunchrooms and offices. This gives the membership a direct link to important, factual information on issues that concern you and the workplace that will be communicated straight from the executive or bargaining committee.

It is also a way for you, as a member of this local to have your voice heard. To ask the questions you may have. Point out a concern or make a suggestion. It’s about ongoing communication that can be trusted. If you would like more information about CAT or becoming a CAT member. Please contact a Brother or Sister listed below.

CAT Leaders: Dana Faul (Steel) – Mike Smith (Pipe)

CAT Members (Steel): Tory Sand, Marcus Zieglar, Al Majore, Tim Kachaluba, Jon Jackson, John Forster, Bryon Folk.

CAT Members (Pipe): Les Horvath, Nolan Brenner, Brian Askin, Rob Desnomie, Garrett Rosko, Brent Henninsen, Quinn Miller, Aaron Fisher, John Asmay, Doug Demin, Scott Mackie, Joshua Kretschmer, Rosey Shiels.

CAT Member (O&T): Kim Roberts.

IF YOU DON’T GET INVOLVED, NOTHING CHANGES. 

In Solidarity!

New Local Treasurer

Through an executive vote in accordance with the Local Union By-Laws. Sister Dana Faul has been selected as Treasurer. She is the first sister in the local’s history to hold a top officer position. On behalf of the membership, the executive would like to welcome Sister Dana as she transitions into her new role. We look forward to working with her.

Solidarity Forever!

Corey Liebrecht, President

CBA Expiry Date One Year Away

What will the next year bring for the members of this local? After yesterdays announcement of 0.00% profit sharing. Layoffs in the last quarter. The clamp down on overtime in recent months and the lack of preventative maintenance in the mills. All apparent cost cutting measures we are witnessing and feeling, are glaring examples of just a few of the band-aid solutions the company is using on the backs of our members because of it’s mismanagement and continued financial troubles.

What’s in store for us as a union? As the company dreams up more cost cutting measures for our next CBA?

One thing is for certain Brothers and Sisters. A year from now, we cannot not and we will not, allow ourselves to even think of accepting anything but a fair and decent Collective Agreement. Don’t tell me that some executive share holder didn’t receive stock dividends this last quarter on your back breaking work. Remember a year from now Brothers and Sisters, remember. We are a world class workforce, that deserves a world class contract.

We will not submit

We will not lie down

We we not roll over

We will not comply without question

We will not go quietly

We will not shut up

We will not sit down

We will stand Up! Fight back!

Solidarity Forever!

Corey Liebrecht, President

 

Second Quarter Profit Sharing

The news was not good today as the company announced the results of the second quarter profit sharing which has resulted in a zero payment to the plan. Management says the decrease was been attributed to a 3% decline in steel flat rolled products. A decline of 12% in small diameter pipe due to low drilling activity in Western Canada. Increased imports and stoke optimization programs launched at their North American Facilities. Large diameter pipe production in the Spiral mills remains strong and at full capacity. The company expects an increase in the output demand of steel, both flat and tubular in the third quarter.

Grievances Withdrawn

The following grievances have been withdrawn “without prejudice/precedent” by the local. These were filed on behalf of our members who disputed having their holiday requests denied but have since been approved. The local will continue to monitor holiday requests and we encourage members to contact a shop steward with any concerns regard this or anything else.

0187 Lezon – 0190 Hayter – 0191 Cole – 0192 Kolybaba – 0194 Ellingson – 0195 Gingras – 0196 Yabut – 0198 Brooks – 0199 Kreklewich – 0200 Almero – 0201 D’Anrea – 0202 Jarton – 0203 Sopko

Stand Up! Fight Back!

 

 

Provincial OHS Branch Does Unannounced Inspection

On July 24th, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety of the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) branch, conducted a surprise safety inspection of the Evraz Pipe division operations by two of their officers. Union OH&S representatives accompanied the officers along with company officials while they conducted their tour of the facility. Discussion’s followed about ongoing concerns of air quality, investigative procedures of safety incidence and other documented safety/hazard reports from our members.

Within twenty four hours, the company was served a “Notice Of Contravention” by the Ministers office on 8 separate violations of OHS Provincial Regulations. These included such things as a lack of proper load limits on crane hooks, safeguarding of machines, water pooled in front of an electrical panel and a chair welded to the floor at a work station of all things.

By law, a full list of the violations is required to be posted by the company for all employee’s to review. They have until August 23, 2013 to comply with provincial regulations to correct these problems and we expect they will take full accountability.

The union was assured by the provincial OHS officers, that concerns of air quality would be addressed and further unannounced inspections will take place. These will include more time talking randomly with members on the floor of the departments they work in.

Always report hazards and unsafe conditions.

Stand Up! Fight Back!

 

First Annual Union Picnic A Success

Even the occasional rain cloud couldn’t put a damper on the the Union picnic, the first in many years for this local, that was held Sunday afternoon. Members and their families tuned out all day to enjoy the good food and have a fun time. We would like to thank our retired members of SOAR for manning the BBQ’s and making sure everyone was fed. We also want to thank our other volunteers that included family, for their time setting up, cleaning up and everything in between. To all the members of Local 5890 and your family. Have a fun, safe summer.

The number for the 50/50 draw is 0859876. If you have the winning number, please stop in at the Union office to claim your prize.

In Solidarity!