News, Developments and Information

BURNABY, B.C. – The United Steelworkers (USW) union extends its deepest condolences to the families of workers killed and injured at the Lakeland Sawmill in Prince George, B.C.

The USW, which represents the sawmill workers, also is urging provincial authorities to make public information it hopes could prevent further tragedies at B.C. sawmills.

“On behalf of all USW members, I wish to express our heartfelt sympathy to the workers and their families trying to cope with this terrible tragedy,” said Stephen Hunt, United Steelworkers Director for Western Canada. Continue reading Unions Offers Condolences, Assistance to Prince George Workers and Families

The survey that Aon Hewitt will be conducting for the wage rate and retention was finalized today and will be going out to the target companies next week. Aon Hewitt is expecting to have the survey complete by June 30. If there is  good co-operation and a fairly quick response from target companies then the survey results may be available earlier.

Any increase will be retro active to ratification date (December 9, 2011)

A message forwarded from the Company today by email, probably from Standard life:

Effective January 1, 2012, pursuant to Federal Budget Bill C-13, all employees who receive short and long-term disability benefits, under our ASO plans, are required to have deducted CPP and EI premiums from their paid benefit.  This new requirement caused several questions and concerns by all employers and delayed the implementation.

However, starting immediately, the required deductions will be reflected on your disability benefit. For employees who have been receiving a disability benefit prior to today’s date, there may be additional CPP / EI premiums required to be deducted.  In this event, we will ensure to pro-rate the deduction amount over the remaining year, if possible.

Follow this link for more information  http://bhhbenefits.com/2012/02/06/new-cpp-requirements-for-employer-paid-disability-benefits-2/

The following nominees have been declared the winners.

Corey Liebrecht – Vice-President

Doug Massier – Treasurer

Mike Day – Chief Steward (Pipe)

Mike W. Smith – Bargaining Committee (P&M)

Thank you to everyone who voted and all the work the Election Committee did.

 

Please make an effort to vote at the polling station located in the Operations Building. The following positions will be on the ballot for election.

Vice- president, Treasurer, Chief Steward(Pipe) and P&M Bargaining Committee member.

Polls open at 5 am and close at 7:45 pm

Evraz Regina Steel has pleaded guilty to one count under The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS) and was fined $60,000. The fine is the largest for an OHS violation in the 2011-12 year in Saskatchewan.

The company was charged after a January 20, 2009, incident at its Regina plant in which a worker was seriously injured when he became entangled in the motor drive shaft of a crane hoist.

Evraz pleaded guilty to failure to ensure there was an effective safeguard in place to prevent workers from contacting a dangerous moving part of a machine.

Another charge against the company was stayed in Regina Provincial Court.

OHS conducts about 4,500 worksite inspections annually to ensure standards are balanced, known and enforced.

For more information, contact:

Bill Stovin

Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Regina

Phone: 306-787-0926

* This article is posted at http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=6fc3525e-e1cd-4a77-88ed-65c1ef44fe95

CRAIG, Kenneth “Wylie” April 30, 1970 – March 28, 2012 With much sadness the family of Wylie Craig advise all who knew the “friendly giant” of his passing this week in Mexico. He was attending the wedding of close friends Adam and Cari Mussel, friends since Cari and Wylie were born one day apart in Richmond, BC. Wylie is survived by his mom Harolyn (Wayne) Long, brother Denton, his precious children, the loves of his life, Alexandra and Liam, and his grandma Helen Barefoot (94 years old). He will also be truly missed by his mass of amazing friends and brothers at USW Local 7226 Tenaris Steel. At Wylie’s request there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to CJAY 92 Kids Fund. A celebration of his life is to be announced.

Wylie Craig was President of the Tenaris local in Calgary.

http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/calgaryherald/guestbook.aspx?n=wylie-craig&pid=156783372&cid=full

There will be an election April 18 2012 to be held at the Change Room buiding (Hilton). Polling times are yet to be determined.

President– Ian Gretchen wins by acclamation

Vice President– There will be an election between Roger Flahr and Corey Liebrecht

Recording Secretary– Court Klein wins by acclamation

Financial Secretary– Dave McAlpin wins by acclamation subject to a final review of eligibility of Scott Trenaman

Treasurer– There will be an election between Doug Massier and Marcus Zeigler

Guide– Tory Sand wins by acclamation

Outside Guard– Vacant

Inside Guard– Jim Cassano wins by acclamation

Trustees– Of the three positions two are filled by Carolyne Kryba and Chis Massier by acclamation  leaving one vacant

Chief Steward Steel– John Forster wins by acclamation

Chief Steward Pipe– There will be an election between Mike Day and Tony Major subject to a final review of eligibility of both nominees.

Chief Steward O&T– Paul Euteneier wins by acclamation

Bargaining Committee (O&T)- Paul Euteneier wins by acclamation subject to a final review of eligibility of Kim Roberts

Bargaining Committee (P&M)- There will be an election between Chris Massier, Mike W. Smith and Kevin Snell subject to a final review of eligibility of all three nominees.

The final review will completed by Friday March 30. All nominees that have additional information regarding their eligibility please contact Tory Sand

The Bargaining Committee representing workers at Degelmans have reached a tentative agreement. There will be a ratification vote on Saturday.

James Nickerson was employed by Canadian Linen to look after the distribution of clothing at the Hilton. When a few of the 5890 members heard , just before Christmas, he was stricken with cancer they took it upon themselves to “pass the hard hat” amongst union and company employees alike to help him and his wife through this nightmare time.

They raised over $2000 which was passed on to James and his wife Wanda. Through this generosity, to a person who was not “one of their own”, Wanda was able to spend day and night with James through his hospital stay.

James passed away February 16 with his family by his side. Thank you one and all.

Bill Boomer (Retired Millwright)

As many may be aware for several months there has been TWO cell phone policies posted on “My Evraz”. One is apparantly from Corporate Evraz which states at one point that it applies to all facilities or something to that effect. It appeared on “My Evraz” sometime in October 2011. This policy talks about keeping your cell phone in your lunch box or locker.

The other policy is the one that has been in effect for several years.  This policy is much more severe than the newer Corporate Evraz policy.

The Union has requested clarification several times including today from Evraz management  regarding which policy is in fact the policy we are expected to follow but as of today they still are not sure which cell phone policy applies or why both policies are on “My Evraz”. So there is no answer to the all the questions about cell phones.

When Evraz Management  does decide which policy applies the Union will request they remove the policy that doesnt apply from “My Evraz”and make an effort to inform everyone which one does apply to end all the confusion.