Season’s Greetings from your USW 5890 executive. We would like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. All the best to our brother’s and sister’s .
Author: Admin
Health Spending Account Deadline
Please take a look at the below article and make sure any receipts you have are sub-mitted before Jan 1.
Article 17.10 Health Spending Account
The Employer established an individual health spending
account on March 31, 2012. For all employees active on the
seniority list who have completed at least 750 hours of work
in the previous calendar year, the Employer will contribute
$100 to the employees individual Health Spending Account
by January 1 of each calendar year. Canada Revenue Agency
rules governing Health Spending Accounts will apply. The
parties agree that this will satisfy the Company’s obligation
regarding EI rebates.
Union Education
On January 18th the GERRAND,RATH and JOHNSON law firm will be holding it’s 5th annual Labour Law conference in Regina. Topics will be Drug Recognition Expert, Labour Relations Board Update and Arbitration update. The membership has approved up to 6 people to attend. Shop stewards wishing to attend please contact the office at 306-569-9663 or email m.day@usw5890.com.
Korean Imports
Seoul, Korea
11 December 2017 – 10:15am
Jung Min-hee
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) decided to impose anti-dumping duties of 4.1% to 88.1% on carbon and alloy steel pipes imported from South Korea, according to the industry source on December 10. The tariffs are effective until 2022 and the rates can be adjusted once a year during the period. The implementation of the tariffs is initiated on January 4, 2018.
Specifically, Husteel’s products are subject to a tariff of 4.1%. It is 47.8% for those of Hyundai Steel, 27.5% for those of Seah Steel, and 12.9% for those of Nexteel.
Carbon and alloy steel pipes are mostly used as pipes in various drainage facilities, gas pipes, and pipes in petrochemical plants. These days, Canada is importing an increasing amount of carbon and alloy steel pipes for infrastructure expansion. For the first 10 months of this year, Canada imported carbon and alloy steel pipes worth US$234.52 million in total, up 27.9% from a year earlier, and South Korean products accounted for 20.1% of the total imports.
In spite of the increase in local demand for the item, the South Korean companies’ export of the item to Canada is likely to be negatively affected by the anti-dumping duties. Canada has applied preliminary anti-dumping duties to the item since September this year and the companies’ exports have declined since that month.
Family Information Day December 17
DATE: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2017
TIME: 12:00 NOON – 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Italian Club, 2148 Connaught St., Regina
FACE PAINTING (1:00-4:00 pm), DINO BOUNCER, SANTA, INFORMATION BOOTHS, FOOD FOR ALL (HOTDOGS, HALAL, VEGETARIAN & FILIPINO), TREATS AND DRINKS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CALL THE UNION OFFICE AT (306) 569-9663.
COLA 4th Quarter
COLA
The CPI figure for October was released on November 17, 2017. As per the Collective Agreement the following calculation will apply.
October 2017 135.4
July 2017 133.9
Difference (1.50)
(Divide difference by .063) = ($0.23)
Effective with the first pay period after the release, COLA will be $0.41 per straight time hour worked as it was previously $0.18.
Locker Replacement
Brother’s and Sister’s
Starting November 20th to the 23rd, the company has plans to do locker replacements over these 3 days. As mentioned before the Union is not participating in this. We will not participate or ask any Union representative to participate in anything that violates OH&S regulations. The company’s communication that they have put out states if lockers are not cleaned out by 7:30am they will be opened by Security with a Union Representative and Management Representative present. This information is false. As stated, this executive will not ask any member to violate OH&S and participate in this.
Your union asked 2 months ago what was going on with the change rooms and parking lot with the large amount of new hires, all to be ignored up until the last week when they wanted the “Unions Assistance”. Well they have been informed that we will not be assisting.
In Solidarity.
Lockers
Brother’s and Sister’s ,
You may have seen the following communication posted in the locker facility. So you, our members know, the union is not in agreement with how the company is rolling this out.
November 8 Locker Communication
In Solidarity.
NDP Endorsement
Sask Taxi Workers
Steelworkers’ Taxi Workers Council Will Provide Strong Voice for Taxi Workers in Western Canada
SASKATOON, Oct. 25, 2017 – The United Steelworkers (USW) commitment to providing a strong voice for taxi workers has taken a significant step forward today with the creation of the District 3 Taxi Workers Council, which will represent taxi drivers and dispatchers across Western Canada.
The Council brings together representatives from USW local unions to work together on the specific issues faced by taxi drivers and dispatchers, to provide leadership that will ensure that USW taxi workers are at the forefront of building a safe and fair taxi industry.
The Chair of the newly created District 3 Taxi Workers Council says taxi drivers and dispatchers are standing together to fight for their rights as workers.
“The establishment of the District 3 Taxi Workers Council demonstrates the USW’s commitment to ensuring that every taxi worker in every province is treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” says Malik Umar Draz of USW Local 2014 in Saskatoon.
Over two days of meetings, USW members employed in the taxi industry strategized about how to bring forward solutions to the many issues faced by taxi drivers and dispatchers; and how to grow their membership and ensure that more taxi workers benefit from the strength and voice that comes with belonging to the Steelworkers.
“As Canada’s most diverse union, we are proud of our record of fighting for workers in many different industries and sectors of the economy. I’m proud that we are building on our work representing taxi drivers and dispatchers by creating the District 3 Taxi Workers Council,” says USW District 3 Director Stephen Hunt.
“Together, we will make progress for taxi workers and ensure they have a seat at the table.”
From a growing number of incidents of workplace violence, to challenging working conditions and issues like Uber, Lyft and others, taxi workers face many daunting matters. The District 3 Taxi Workers Council will provide the forum and leadership to address these issues and pursue respect, fairness and dignity.
Missing and Murdered Woman and Girls Vigil
C.B.A
Brother’s and Sister’s
Please be advised that the bereavement language, new transition rates, night shift premiums, rates and cola are now in affect.
Retro for night shift premium for Sept 13 to 16 will be paid on October 6th
Sept 17 the new cola rates went into affect and retro for Cola will also be paid on October 6th. Those dates are Aug 1, 2016 to Sept 16,2017.
As of October 1,2017 your new job class rates will be in affect. Retro for Aug 1st, 2017 to Sept 30, 2017 will be paid on October 20th, 2017.
Lump Sum to be paid on October 20th,2017. Which can be put into a DPSP account through Great West Life. That account info must be put in by October 6th,2017
Calgary Vote
The results from the Calgary ratification vote today???? 88% in favor of ratification.
Ratification Results
The results of the ratification vote is 68% in favour.
Tentative Agreement Reached
Locals 5890 and 6673 have reached a tentative agreement with Evraz. The bargaining committee would like to thank all its members for their support and patience over the past 16 months. The Bargaining Committee fully supports this contract. Please attend your regularly scheduled shifts. The strike has been averted.
There will be a ratification meeting next Wednesday Sept. 13 at the Italian Club . Meeting times will be at 3:00 and 7:30.
Kris Kups
It was with heavy hearts we bid our brother Kris Kups farewell today, as a celebration of his life was held at the Turvey center at 2pm. We would like to thank all brothers and Sisters who provided a donation for Kris’s son Lundyn. It is because of you we were able to present the Kups family with a gift of $1180 at the celebration. There is still a card available to sign if anyone would like to make a donation but hasn’t had the chance to. Those brothers and Sisters can contact the steel side Chem or Physical labs. Thanks once again.
Strike Notice
The Union has served strike notice to the Company for 6:00 AM Friday September 8. The last shift worked for 5890 members will be the Thursday night shift September 7.
Company Preparation
Your bargaining committee has been informed that Wednesday the company maybe starting the process of shutting down the furnaces. This is in preparation of the possible strike if we are not able to come to a deal this week. If the company goes down this road we have been told that it’s not a lockout but members maybe sent home and that will be with pay.
As the week progresses we will get our members the most information we can. Either through the mass texts, facebook pages, strike captains or this web site.
In Solidarity
Solidarity and Support for Unite Here Local 41
Kris Kups
We are saddened by the passing of our brother Kris Kups. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family right now. Donations will be graciously collected for his son Lundyn by Scott Trenaman, physical lab or chem lab. Our hopes is the company will match our donations.
RIP Brother
Bargaining Update
Sisters & Brothers
USW Local 5890 held two membership meeting on Monday the 21st which were well attended. The bargaining committee announced that the union will be meeting again with the company for further negotiations on September 5,6,7 2017 with the hopes of reaching an agreement. We also went over where things stood in terms of what we were asking for and what the company was asking. Below is an overview of what was discussed and where it stood at the end of mediation.
Evraz’s Proposal to USW
4 year term
Pension
$0.50 increase 2018 for “future service” & $0.50 increase in 2019 for past service
O&T pension increase in 2018 move from 1.36% to 1.38% …… 0.02% increase
Wages
Aug. 2016….0% + cola
Aug. 2017….0% + cola
Aug. 2018….1% + cola
Aug. 2019….1% + cola
$1,500 Lump Sum at ratification
New Hire Transition Wages
Starting at 70% of current rates going up 10% each year over a 3 year period
Excluding skilled Trade New Hires. The company went from years to hours on the “transition rates” but still starting at 70%.
USW’s Proposal to Evraz
3 year term
Pension
At the end of the term of this contract we want the Basic Pension to be $70 per year of service. This would get the pension to $100 with the bridge. O&T increase equivalent to the P&M increase.
Pension Earn back/Pickup factor re-date to Dec. 31, 2015
Pensioner Benefit Bonus $1,000 and Surviving Spouse $600 re-date/re-sign
Wages
Aug. 2016….3% on JC 2 and all classifications + cola and retro
Aug. 2017….3% on JC 2 and all classifications + cola and retro
Aug. 2018….3.5% on JC 2 and all classifications + cola
Re-date and Re-sign Cola
Shift Premiums
Increase the second or afternoon shift to $0.75/hour
Increase the third or night shift to $1.00/hour
Increase Saturdays to $1.25/hour
Increase Sundays to $1.50/hour
Other Items
Increase Vision to $500
Increase Prescription Drugs to unlimited
Increase Bereavement to shifts worked (8hr, 10hr, 12hr shifts will be paid those hours x amount of days)
Weekly Indemnity re-date/re-sign and supply pay stubs to members
Safety Rep selection and pay rate
Re-sign/Re-date all Letters of Understanding
On September 5, 2017 USW Local 6673 & 5890 will be commencing these days of negotiations by serving the company strike notice. In the unfortunate event no agreement can be reached within the 3 days of negotiations both locals will be on strike the morning of September 8, 2017
If you have any questions please contact a member of the bargaining committee
Solidarity Forever
Mediators report
Please read the following report from the mediator in the USW5890/USW 6673 and Evraz Bargaining.
Job action can commence on August 28 at 24:00 hours
Mediation has Broken Down
After 3 days the mediation process of negotiations with Evraz has broken down.
Mediation started off this week with the Union wanting the concessions to be removed from Evraz’s monetary package.
Not once throughout the 3 days of bargaining did the Union sit down face to face with Evraz.
On the 2nd day of this process the Union even invited the Employer back to the bargaining table and Evraz declined.
All of the discussions held between the Union and Evraz went through the Mediator. The Mediator would meet with one side than relay that message to the other side.
It took 2 trips from the Mediator into Evraz’s room to convey the message that their concessions need to be removed from their monetary package.
Evraz sent a monetary package back down with 1 concession remaining, transition wages for new employees, and 1 new concession tied to all members… A hybrid pension plan.
Evraz has decided to offer no real money and has taken the step to attack all of our pension plans by adding very little money to future pension years and nothing to pension years all ready accumulated.
Evraz’s monetary package contained next to nothing in real $$$.
Evraz has decided to play with each and every one of our lives, both now and in retirement.
Through the mediator we received a wage proposal.
Wage Increases;
2016 0%
2017 0%
2018 1%
2019 1%
Because of all of this, we said “NO” and this is what the Union walked away from!
Under the Labour Relations Code of the Province there is a 14 day cooling off period that follows Mediation, the fourteen days start, the first day following the date on the letter from the Mediator excusing himself from the bargaining process, we hope to have that letter on Aug. 11th 2017.
Mediation Dates
Brothers and Sisters,
Mediation dates have now been confirmed, the dates are Aug 8,9 and 10th.
In Solidarity.
USW 9346 Steel Megaphone
At the 29:00 minute mark is where the Podacst begins about USW 5890/6673 and where we are at in the Bargaining process. This Steelmegaphone is put together by our brothers and sisters at USW 9346 in Sparwood, BC.
https://soundcloud.com/steelmegaphone-podcast/steelmegaphone-143