News, Developments and Information
2″ Mill Shutdown
Grievance Resolutions
Job Evaluation Pilot Meeting Cancelled
Saskatchewan NDP elects new Leader
Cam Broten was elected as the new NDP leader today at the Saskatchewan NDP leadership 
convention. Cam was the candidate that the USW in Saskatchewan supported .
Congratulations Cam. The Steel Workers look forward to supporting you and the NDP in the next provincial election.
Profit Sharing/C.O.L.A Announcement
Evraz has released the 2012 4th quarter Profit Sharing amount this morning at $1.06 per eligible hour. Direct deposit to bank accounts will happen March 1st, 2013.
C.O.L.A numbers have also been released and adjusted to $0.54 per straight time hour worked. A decrease from $0.75.
As always this Local strives to keep the membership informed promptly and will continue to post the most current information we receive.
Solidarity Forever!
Steelworkers Family Picnic
Local 5890 along with Local 5917, SOAR Chapter 19 and the South Sask. Area Council of the USW is planning a picnic! We are currently seeking volunteers to help with this event filled afternoon of food, fun and activities for all Steelworkers active or retired and your family. This will take place on June 23rd, 2013 at a site to be announced at a later date. The involvement and contribution of our members time will make this an enjoyable day for everyone so step up and submit your name to help out. You can do this by contacting Corey Liebrecht or Vasco D’Almedia.
Solidarity Forever
Terry Stevens passed away
Terry Stevens a former staff rep and a leader in the United Steelworkers has passed away. As more information becomes available it will be updated here.
Union Management Meeting Cancelled
Due to a scheduling conflict the Union Management meeting scheduled for February 26 has been cancelled.
Announcements
New Stewards Pipe Division: Chris Massier, Doug Demin, Ryan Mackenzie, Scott Mackie, Jim Cassano, Mike Smith, John Schmidt.
New OHS Reps. Pipe Division: Chris Lipp, Brandon-Shea Mutala, Mike Smith, John Asmay, Josh Leusick.
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) Women’s Committee: Kerry Molly sits as a representative of our Sister’s in the USW.
SFL Occupational Health & Safety Committee: Rob Desnomie sits as a representative of the USW.
SFL Political Strategy & Associate VP: Corey Liebrecht sits as a representative of the USW.
*If you are interested in becoming a Shop Steward or OHS Rep. within the steel, pipe or O&T divisions, we encourage you to speak to a member of the Local Executive, another Steward or OHS Rep.*
Remember that information, training and facts generate power and build solidarity!
Job Evaluation meeting results
The job evaluation committee met with Company representatives today and were able to agree on the following jobs
- Inspector 1 in Spiral Mill Line of Progression – JC 10 (was JC 9)
- Inspector 2 in Spiral Mill Line of Progression – JC 11 (was JC 10)
- Inspector 3 in Spiral Mill Line of Progression – JC 13 (No change)
- Inspector 4 in Spiral Mill Line of Progression – JC 15 (No change)
- Inspector 5 in Spiral Mill Line of Progression – JC 16 (was JC 5)
The next meeting is scheduled for March 15
Are You A USW “NEXT GENERATION” Leader From This Local?
Ken Neumann (Union Bio)
National Director for Canada
Born and raised in rural Saskatchewan, Neumann was a teenager when he first joined the USW, at Local 5890 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Later, Neumann’s activism and leadership flourished within USW Local 4728 in Regina, where he began as a steward and eventually was elected president of the local. He was an instructor, organizer and then president of the USW Regina Area Council before being hired as a United Steelworkers staff representative in 1977. Neumann earned a personal reputation for strong service to USW members in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Continue reading Are You A USW “NEXT GENERATION” Leader From This Local?
Grievance Resolutions
Union and management met earlier today and resolved 4 grievances that were pending arbitration.
A one day suspension reduced to a written warning.
Three written warnings withdrawn by the Company and removed from the affected members personal records.
Also discussed were Kronos grievances regarding time keeping and coffee pots/radios. There was no movement by the Company on their position to either of these and arbitration dates remain scheduled.
The Union is awaiting responses from the Company on other grievances that were discussed and we have been assured those will be forthcoming within a week.
Other grievances recently resolved were for a member who has been paid overtime while contractors did bargaining unit work. A member has been paid for time missed after wrongfully being sent home for not completing a 6S form. A scheduled arbitration was resolved for a previously employed trades member regarding payment for rate increases in the current CBA who did not receive his proper raise. Your Local is working hard to resolve all grievances in advance of arbitration.
Solidarity Wins!
Roger Phillips, former president and CEO of IPSCO, dies at 73
Job Evaluation Pilot Committee
Will be meeting on Feb 8th at 9am. Our focus will be the evaluation of O&T jobs and any outstanding issues that need to be addressed. The Union has been prepared and committed to meeting regularly with the Company and will continue to make every effort so the committee can complete its mandate.
Solidarity Forever!
Funeral Service Announcment
Brother Wayne Krushlucki will be laid to rest on Saturday Feb. 2nd, 2013 at the Victoria Avenue Funeral Home, 2080 Victoria Ave. E. Regina Sk. commencing at 1pm. A lunch will be provided afterward.
Scheduled Arbitrations
Grievances:
11/14-025 Brodeur (Termination) April 8-9
11/14-073 Weinbender (Suspension) April 22-23
11/14-074 Blue (Suspension) April 22-23
11/14-046 Group (Removal of coffee pots/Radios) May 7
11/14-093 Group (Kronos Card Readers) June 4-5
11/14-094 Group (Kronos 15 minute punch in/out time) June 4-5
11/14-095 Group (Kronos $25 Card replacement fee) June 4-5
11/14-096 Group (Kronos Donning/doffing of PPE) June 4-5
11-14/0104 Group (Trades Raise for Electronic Tec. Machinist, Instrument Man) June 12
07/11-0544 Group (O&T, Bargaining Unit Work) June 13-14
07/11-0567 Group (O&T Bargaining Unit Work) June 13-14
Your Local is working hard to resolve all Grievances in advance of arbitration.
Solidarity Forever!
Wayne Krushlucki
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of a Brother and former Local President of 5890, Wayne Krushlucki. We extend our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Contracting out Grievance resolution
The Grievance Committee has resolved a dispute at step 2 where a contractor was untilized to do bargaining unit work (weld repair) when a 5890 member had entered his name for overime in the overtime book. The agrieved brother was paid the appropriate rate and hours as a resolution.
USW Supports Provincial NDP Leadership Candidate Cam Broden
The USW North & South Sask. Area Council’s along with District 3 Director Steve Hunt, the WOS and SOAR met with the provincial NDP leadership candidates Erin Weir, Trent Wotherspoon, Cam Broten and Dr. Ryan Meili this past Friday evening in Saskatoon for a three hour question & answer form. Each candidate put forth their reasons for running and answered a wide range of questions and at times to criticism about how the party has handled certain issues in the past while in goverment.
On Saturday morning Steve Hunt, the Area Council’s and the Committee’s convened a caucus to discuss who the USW would support in the leadership race. It was not an easy decision, as each candidate displayed their oustanding credentials, ideas and determination to lead. After much discussion a ballot vote was taken a unanimous decision the Steelworkers in Saskatchewan have chose to support Cam Broten to be the next Leader of the provincial NDP.
The election will take place Saturday March 9th, 2013 during the provincial NDP convention that will be held at TCU Place, Saskatoon. To be eligible to vote, you must become a member of the provincial NDP party before Friday January 25th, 2013. It is only $10.00 to join and you can sign up by going to the following web site.
http://saskndp.ca/leadership-2013
Good luck Cam, you have the Steelworkers support & solidarity!
Retiree Bonus Payment
RBC Investor Services was unable to process the payment as of January 1st, 2013. It will now be paid out on January 15th, 2013.
A quote from Adolph Hitler
“We must close Union Offices, confiscate their money, and put their leaders in prison. We must reduce workers salaries and take away their right to strike”
Adolph Hitler May 2 1933
Ask yourself this…..Are we as workers in Saskatchewan and Canada going to wait until we hear these words from our government before we act to preserve our standard of living and those of our children and grand children? Because it is already happening in the United States.
Corey Liebrecht
Documents Show HD Mining Only Planned on Hiring Its First Canadian Underground Miner in Its 5th Year | BC Federation of Labour
Heres a couple of CBC investigative reports that were broadcast across Canada. The Steelworkers and USW District 3 Director Steve Hunt helped with information and resources.
USW Holiday Office Hours
Corey Liebrecht will be out of the office December 25th, 2012 and Jan 1st, 2013. Union office support staff Denise Manz will be out of the office from noon December 21st, 2012 to January 2nd, 2013 inclusive. District 3 Staff Rep. Sonny Rioux will be out of the office from Dec 8th 2012 to Jan 14th, 2013 inclusive. All Executive & Committee members can be reached at the following listed numbers and emails. here.