The CPI figure for July 2016 was released on August 19, 2016. As per the Collective Agreement the following calculation will apply.
July 2016 132.8
April 2016 132.3
Difference 0.50 (Divide by .063 per each 1 cent) = $0.07
Effective with the first pay period after the release, COLA will be $0.58 per straight time hour worked as it was previously $0.51
Brothers and Sisters,
This past week in an expression of solidarity and union partnership for Evraz workers in Alberta and Saskatchewan, USW chain bargaining committee members from Local 5890 and 6673 and their respective Staff Reps participated in an historic meeting with Unifor local 551 members from Evraz Camrose.
The first meeting of its kind brought together the two unions to deal with the aggressive concessionary proposals that all three bargaining committees have seen at the table from Evraz. We were able to share information, discussions and documentation and see the truth in their proposals. It is clear that we are all under serious attack and that working together is the only way to protect what we have now and make gains going forward.
All three Local Unions have agreed to form a strong alliance that will allow continued sharing of information, strategies and support while we all work towards bargaining new agreements. Evraz employees are loyal hard workers who deserve a fair collective agreement rather than threats and rollbacks. With the support of this alliance we are determined to make a difference for our Brothers and Sisters in Calgary, Regina and Camrose.
Your committee appreciates all of the support and solidarity from you the membership and we will keep fighting until we have a fair and equitable agreement to bring back for you to vote on.
In solidarity,
Your Local 5890 Bargaining Committee
To: EVRAZ Regina Tubular Employees
From: Scott Manson, Director Operation
Date: August 3, 2016
Re: Dead Shift
In accordance with the Letter of Understanding Tubular Division – Dead Shift Agreement,
effective September 3, 2016, Regina Tubular employees will not be scheduled to work the
dead shift until further notice.
If you have any questions, please contact your Supervisor.
Bargaining dates have been confirmed with the company for Aug 22nd to the 25th. While the Union continues to fight for a fair contract with Evraz, the current C.B.A remains in effect until a new contract is ratified.
In Solidarity
CUPW – 2016-07-06 – CUPW Files Unfair Labour Practice Complaint Against Canada Post
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Ralph Bilsky May 17, 1949 – June 6, 2016 With profound sadness we announce the passing of Ralph David Bilsky, on June 6, 2016. Predeceased by his wife Mary Bilsky of Regina, SK and parents Micheal Bilsky (1999), Gertrude Bilsky (2015) of Rama, SK. Survived by daughter Tisha Keeler (Arlie) of Biggar, SK, son Brent Bilsky (Gwen) of St. Stephen, NB, sister Cecilia Sliva (Gerald) of Winnipeg, MB, sister Therese Sandager (Robert) of Preeceville, SK and grandsons Anthony, Dalton, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Joseph and Ian; as well as many friends and extended family members.
A Memorial Reception Teua will be held Saturday July 2, 2016 from 2-4 pm at King’s Corner Church of God located at 2110 King St., Regina, SK.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.
Published in The Leader-Post on June 28, 2016
Article 15.02 Shift Premiums
A shift premium of forty {40} cents additional to the standard hourly rate shall be paid to each employee for hours worked during a second {or afternoon} shift and forty-five{45} cents for hours worked during a third {or night} shift.
USW 5890 & 6673 have been in contact with the Unifor 551 employee’s of Evraz Camrose. They have been in bargaining for a couple months and are facing a series of concessions totalling in the 30% range. They currently have a hybrid pension that was implemented in the last set of negotiations. This time around, Evraz is demanding a full DC pension plan and the complete elimination of their hybrid/DB plan. The last time that the Unifor Bargaining Committee met with Evraz, for bargaining, was in April.
The Unifor 551 Bargaining Committee and the USW 5890 & 6673 Bargaining Committees have agreed to continue talking with each other. Both groups feel that there are common goals that can be achieved through the sharing of information. Both committees find it more than just a coincidence that proposals are on our tables that seem to mimic those that are currently on the table at Tenaris. Tenaris (Prudential) located in Calgary, AB. Tenaris is also an OCTG Tubular Manufacturer. The employee’s at that location are also USW workers.
Tenaris is currently in negotiations with that local’s USW workers.
Bargaining sessions scheduled between USW 5890 and EVRAZ for June 1st 2nd and 3rd has been adjourned.
The company continues to engage in practices which are interfering with the collective bargaining process, to that end, after consultation with the Union’s Legal Department your Bargaining Committee has decided to pursue an Unfair Labour practice complaint against EVRAZ Regina.
We will be working with the lawyers over the next few days to complete an evaluation of the complaint.
EVRAZ has taken a position on the Steel side concerning Art. 8.09 (2) Dead shift/160 Hours in a 28 day period that the Union is disputing through the grievance process.
Managers have been bargaining with workers on the floor trying to negotiate a settlement of this grievance and undermining the CBA.
Bargaining will resume when the unfair labour practice complaint has been decided.
** If you would like to receive text messages from your bargaining committee please fill out your name and cell # and leave in the Union Mailbox. Name_____________________ Cell #_________________
On May 19, 2016 your Bargaining Committee met with the Company representatives’ and officially opened bargaining by exchanging Non-monetary and Common Non-monetary proposals. The meeting started with a detailed presentation by the Company outlining the state of the Pipe and Steel industry and its impact on Evraz. The Company finished the presentation with a plea to work together to reduce costs and improve flexibility, to put us in the best position possible to be competitive in the market.
The Union inquired if the new Evraz/Wasco plant being built in Regina would be part of the negotiations. The Company emphatically refused to add this to the agenda and ended the conversation with the statement similar to: If you want that plant Unionized, go ask Wasco.
Your Bargaining Committee emphasized that the relationship between the Company and its employees has not improved. In part, because of the lack of a printed CBA from the last set of negotiations and the ongoing lack of respect for employees by some supervisors. Due to the Company’s continued delay tactics and their unwillingness to settle issues in a timely manner, there is an accumulated list of outstanding grievances.
We are looking forward to having a printed Collective Agreement (CBA) prior to our next bargaining meeting scheduled in Regina for June 1, 2016.
Anyone interested in attending a Progressive Discipline for Stewards Seminar please email m.day@usw.5890.com or call the office at 569-9663. The seminar takes place on June 28th at The Hotel Saskatchewan and is geared to help front line stewards put the principles of progressive discipline into action.
This is your Union, get involved and educated.
Once again profit sharing for the first quarter is nothing.
Here is the Company memo.
With the upcoming shut down in the Steel Division please be aware of bumping rights as outlined below.
Lay-Offs
In the event of cutback or lay-off, an employee shall be deemed to have the right to a position that is lower in that line of progression and will regress down their line to a position which they can hold. You shall regress as you progress and progress as you regress.
Office and Technical Employees Only
In the event of cutbacks or layoffs, an employee shall be deemed to have the right to a position according to seniority and qualification. An employee may bump into any position that they can hold. Employees bumping a position that they have not previously performed will be subject to the intermediate training rate for a period of six (6) months. It is therefore understood and agreed that management shall have the right to pass over any employee if it is established that they do not have the qualifications, ability or physical fitness to perform the work involved, even if they were given a reasonable trial or training period.
An employee who refuses to exercise their bumping rights and elects to take a layoff will not be recalled unless the job from which they were laid off becomes available. Should a laid off employee wish to return to any other vacant jobs they must advise the Human Resources Department of such request, in writing, before becoming eligible for recall.
Displaced Employee
Note: The familiarization period mentioned in the above provisions shall be a period not exceeding two (2) shifts.
A displaced employee wishing to exercise their bumping rights must do so within ten (10) calendar days from time of displacement.
During periods of cutback an employee shall regress and progress within their new line of progression according to job seniority. Plant seniority will maintain an employee on a bottom job within a line of progression.
The bargaining committees from USW Local 5890 & 6673 met in Regina on March 16, 17, 18, 2016 to discuss and prepare for our upcoming collective bargaining. Discussions were held on both local and common non – monetary proposals for 5890 &6673 and a proposal exchange date has been confirmed with the company for May 19, 2016 in Calgary.
Collective bargaining is an important process for all of our members and their families and your bargaining committee is committed to keeping all of our members informed. Bargaining surveys indicated our membership has questions about their pension, to that end membership meetings facilitated by senior USW District 3 Staff have been set up for May 3rd and 4th for a pension seminar and informational session outlining the status of the Canadian Steel industry and the impact on us now and going forward. These meetings will be held at the Eagles Club, details to follow.
Your solidarity is important in everything we do, bargaining updates will continue to come directly from your bargaining committees. Our next chain meeting between the bargaining committees will be held on May 3 & 4, 2016 in Regina.
The CPI figure for January 2016 was released on February 19, 2016. As per the Collective Agreement the following calculation will apply.
January 2016 131.0
October 2015 131.7
Difference -0.7
(Divide by .063 per each 1 cent) = -$0.11
Effective with the first pay period after the release, COLA will be $0.31 per straight time hour worked as it was previously $0.42.
The Union is checking these calculations as sometimes they have been incorrect in the past.
On Friday April 29, 2016 the South Sask Area Council will be holding it’s general meeting at the Union Office {#26-395 Park Street}.
AGENDA
*Issues of the council
*Financial Report
*Direction for the next 3 years
*CLOSING OF NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF positions for President, Vice President, Recording Secretary and Financial Officer.
Anyone wishing to run for a position or nominate someone please email m.day@usw5890.com or call 306-569-9663.
The bargaining committees from USW Local 5890 & 6673 met in Regina on February 1, 2, 3 2016 to discuss and prepare for collective bargaining coming up. Discussions were held in regards to collective bargaining and we all completed a USW course on bargaining. Dates were also set for future meetings for the committees and our membership.
As always collective bargaining is an important process for all of our members and their families. Your bargaining committee is committed to keeping all of our members informed so watch for further communications to be provided. Meetings are being set up that involve pension education for our members and previewing bargaining proposals.
Your solidarity is important in everything we do. We would like to remind the membership that these bargaining updates come directly from your bargaining committees. Our next chain meeting between the bargaining committees will be held on March 16, 17, 18 2016 in Regina.
Support Your Bargaining Committee!
Remember
Solidarity Works!
March 15th is fast approaching. This is the date that you have to submit your vacation plans for approval for May 1 2016 to April 30 2017 based on your seniority under the CBA.
After March 15 vacation requests are approved on a first come first serve basis.
Dear Brothers and Sisters: It is fast approaching one month on the picket line at Seven Oaks Best Western Hotel in Regina for members of UFCW 1400 with an employer who has dug his heels in on concessions for a collective agreement. Managers have intimidated workers, many of whom are vulnerable, with threats of termination, blackballing and misinformation about the strike. This employer will go to any length to convince these workers to scab their fellow employees, including raising their wages. UFCW 1400 has filed and continues to file unfair labour practices with the SLRB.
In addition, the employer has recently hired the services of a national labour relations solutions company with expertise in surveillance and security for employers involved in a strike. They operate high tech cameras and microphones monitoring our picket lines, and private investigators to record our activity. A Calgary law firm who advertises expertise in employer labour relations has been secured by the employer as legal counsel.
This employer has thousands of dollars for professional services to break the solidarity but no legitimate offer to provide these workers with wages and benefits that will keep them close to a living wage.
The line has been strong and with the assistance of affiliates from across Saskatchewan the message from the labour movement is being heard. This strike is not just a UFCW 1400 cause, but the cause of all workers in Saskatchewan. The mistreatment and abuse of workers in this hotel must end. We are prepared to go the distance.
Picketers are finding that some residents in Saskatchewan and neighboring provinces are unaware of the strike. Once again, we request that affiliates inform their membership and the Seven Oaks Hotel that their union is supporting the striking workers.
Union members can visit our website for a link to a support letter at UFCW1400.ca, or check our facebook page and add some likes. …2 Page 2 In addition to the picketing at the hotel, UFCW1400 has begun secondary information lines at other Ricky’s and Best Western Hotels locations in Saskatchewan. Affiliates who can offer assistance with the information lines anywhere in Saskatchewan, please call UFCW’s Saskatoon Office (Craig Thebaud) at 306 384 5787 or Norm Neault at 306 222 1931.
With much appreciation to all the affiliates for their donations and support to date, your help walking the line is much needed…this show of solidarity is the best morale booster. Coffee and donuts are good too; union shop gift cards are even better.
Please make cheques payable to: UFCW 1400 Strike Fund
Mail cheques to: SFL Office
#220 – 2445 13th Avenue
Regina SK S4P 0W1
The USW summer school dates are out. June 5th to 10th, 2016 in Kimberly BC. Membership has approved up to 10 to attend. If you are interested in going please contact Mike Day at 306-569-9663 or m.day@usw5890.com.
The Regina &District Labour Council is hosting it’s 4th annual Equity and Human Rights Conference in Regina on February 19th & 20th. Membership has approved up to 6 people to attend. If you would like to go please contact Mike Day at 306-569-9663 or m.day@usw5890.com. There will be a panel discussion with Carol Landry who if you are unaware is the USW International Vice President.
In solidarity
It has come to the attention of the Union that false facts are being provided to members of 5890. They are being told that there is an agreement between the Union and the Company that if there is hot metal still in process when members shifts end without relief (ex. Layoff) that they are required to work overtime to process left over hot metal.
There is not an agreement of any kind regarding Hot Metal Process. Under Article 9.01 all overtime is voluntary. You do not have to stay after your scheduled shift to finish melting or casting steel. You are not required to tell anyone you do not have relief. You may clock out at 6:00 AM or 6:00 PM when your shift ends without notifying anyone that you are leaving.
If your supervisor tries to convince you to stay past your shift on overtime because of this alleged agreement he is either misinformed or outright lying.
“The official start of Bargaining 2016”
What is this for?
Your Bargaining Committee is requesting your participation and attendance. We want you to show up and tell us what you want to see in our 2016 Contract Negotiations.
We understand that 44% of you rejected our last contract. This is your chance to voice your opinion on the changes/improvements that you want to see in 2016.
75% of all respondents from our Post Bargaining Survey stated that they would participate in “Special Meetings” regarding bargaining issues.
Please understand that the idea’s and statements that you, the membership, make at these meetings will turn into written proposals that will be presented at the bargaining table, later this year, with Evraz.
If you don’t show up and voice your opinion, the Bargaining Committee will not be able to turn your opinion into a proposal.
Your Bargaining Committee is committed in doing the best possible job that they can do, for you and the all the members of USW 5890. But we can’t do it without your participation. We understand that everyone has a busy schedule. So this is why we have set up these meetings over 2 days, hopefully giving everyone a chance to attend.
This is your chance to affect the next “Collective Bargaining Agreement”
Meeting Dates;
January 25th, 7:30pm — Eagles Club — 1600 Halifax St.
January 26th, 7:30am & 7:30pm — Eagles Club — 1600 Halifax St.
