Author: Mike Day

1st Quarter Results
Our financial performance for the first quarter of 2024 resulted in profit-sharing payments for employees under the plan. The payout will be $2.43 per eligible hour bonus payment for qualifying employees deposited into your bank account by May 17, 2024.
An increase in Portland slab shipment, lower average selling prices, and a favorable foreign exchange adjustment impact for the quarterly profit-sharing plan calculation impacted our financial performance.
We continued to see lower OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods) volume during the quarter, mainly due to imported pipe into Canada from other countries at significantly lower selling prices. As a result, our OCTG volume was slightly lower compared to the prior quarter. The Regina 2″ mill line was idled in late January in response to lower demand for our Carbon Tubing products.
Despite these challenges, the impact of the lower OCTG volume was offset by the increase in Portland slab shipment, which enabled us to keep our coil cost low. Furthermore, our ongoing efforts with EBS yielded positive results in our conversion costs.
Regina 24″ commenced production in late January to fulfill a small order; the current plan is to idle the mill after the completion of the current order if a new order is not secured. Regina’s Spiral remained idle during the quarter.
Looking Forward
The safety of our employees is important to us; therefore, we must continue to focus on improving our safety performance, stopping unsafe work, and reporting all near misses; doing these will help us have better safety performance.
We continue to monitor the market and consistently take necessary measures to ensure we remain competitive while controlling operational performance with a focus on the quality of our products, managing costs effectively, and fulfilling our commitments to our valued customers.

4th Quarter Results
Our financial performance for the fourth quarter of 2023 resulted in profit-sharing payments for employees under the plan. The payout will be a $1.95 per eligible hour bonus payment for qualifying employees deposited into your bank account by May 17, 2024.
Our financial performance during this quarter was driven by notable increases in third-party shipment and OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods) sales volume compared to the previous quarter. While we observed an increase in OCTG and line pipe sales volume compared to the previous, it was slightly lower than the volume recorded in the first quarter. This reduction can be attributed mainly to the ongoing impact of imported pipe into Canada, which is being sold at significantly lower prices.
Additionally, our average selling prices for OCTG products continued to decline, experiencing an 11% decrease compared to the previous quarter. Although we witnessed an increase in third-party shipments from Regina steel, this was partially offset by a reduction in Portland slab shipments due to softening in the flat market.
Throughout the quarter, Regina Tubular’s 24″ and spiral mills remained idled.
Looking Forward
The safety of our employees is important to us; therefore, we must continue to focus on improving our safety performance, stopping unsafe work, and reporting all near misses; doing these will help us have a better safety performance.
We continue to monitor the market and consistently take necessary measures to ensure we remain competitive while controlling operational performance with a focus on the quality of our products, managing costs effectively, and fulfilling our commitments to our valued customers.

Members,

Over the past month the Union and Company have been in discussions regarding the possibility of maintaining some of the current Tubular Maintenance personal throughout Regina Operations. In the companies view, they wish to use 4 Tubular Maintenance members on “Special projects” throughout all of Regina Operations. Meaning, they would have the ability to move them back and forth between Tubular and Steel whenever they see fit. Even though the company says it is not looking at centralized maintenance that’s exactly what this is. This is after the company has agreed that these members would bounce back and forth in Divisions to cover vacation, absenteeism, down days and their “special projects”. It is the Unions position that for one, these members are still needed in Tubular and for two, if not, they can be used in Steel under the same Letter of Understanding that we have previously agreed to.

Mr. Forster has said at the town halls, he will follow the C.B.A, well it appears not in this instance. If the company can’t get there way around the C.B.A, layoffs are going to be issued. The company originally had said the transfer would include 1 Electrician, 1 Mill Right, and 2 Electrical Techs from Tubular. Layoff notices have now changed to 1 Electrician, 2 Mill Rights and 1 Electrical Tech. The Union finds it very difficult to believe the company wished anything else but the opportunity to centralize maintenance and bastardize the collective agreement. When these discussions first started, the companies contention was this would reduce contractors on the Steel side but yet at the same time, there would be layoffs/cutbacks with steel maintenance. A comment that was later said to be “misinterpreted”, although confirmed by the Maintenance Manager. The Union has tried to work with the company on maintaining employment for our members the best we can within the confines of the C.B.A but the company refuses and wants all the hardships to fall on our members and the C.B.A!

Social Club Members,

The social club is looking for at least 2 members who can work together and volunteer their time to organize and plan events such as;

BBQ & Dances, Golf Tournaments, Kids Christmas Party.

This would include the booking of Venues & Entertainment, Order Tickets & Supplies, Sell Tickets, Make Posters (put up &take down), Banking related to the Club, taking information for all members for kids ages for the kids Christmas party, buying & wrapping gifts, set up and take down for the party

If you’re interested in volunteering please email Evrazsocialclub@live.com by May 17/24

The Social Club will not succeed without members volunteering!

Members, please see the attached links if you or a family member is interested in applying for a USW Scholarship.

USW Post Secondary Scholarships

USW Indigenous Scholarships

The David Ellis Scholarship

Leadership Development Scholarship Program

Rudychuk Scholarship Placement Program

Labour College of Canada Scholarships

Members,

On April 28th the Regina and District Labour Council will be hosting the Day of Mourning Vigil at City Hall. Weather Permitting. Please see the details below.

Where: Queen Elizabeth Court II
City Hall 2476 Victoria Ave
When: Sunday April 28, 2024
Time: 4:00 pm
Alternate Location
Regina Union Centre
2709 – 12TH Ave
Meeting Room Downstairs
Reception to follow: at the Union Centre 2709 – 12th Ave, back door, downstairs.
Join Regina & District Labour Council to remember the workers killed in Saskatchewan last year 2023.

Today the Union Executive met with Evraz Senior Leadership (Michael Yeats, Brad Forster, Debbie Beaton, Fiona Adams). The company gave a brief business update, all markets are depressed. That being said, the price of hot rolled coil has increased slightly in the last week.

Late last week there was a decision on normal values by the Canadian Border Services Agency against the Korean Steel maker HUSTEEL. The language from CBSA wasn’t as strong as Evraz had hoped but the normal values appear to favor Evraz. The Union and Company will be in discussion for next steps as we have worked together on numerous cases and 5890 has lead the way on the USW National Stand for Steel Campaign .

The Steel shutdown looks as though it will be 2 weeks at the end of April and we have been informed that will run from April 22nd till May 8th. There appears to be no change in production for May, however the summer months may be different. Further discussions between the union and company on that in roughly the next month.

Tubular will have the 24″ finishing off the last of the remaining order in the next couple weeks and the 2″ moving to 1 crew. Mill Operator recalls should happen for April 15th. Its expected to remain on 1 crew for most of summer.

There was no update on the sale of Evraz. The company is hoping to be able to announce things in the next few months.

The CPI figure for January was released on February 20, 2024. Per the Collective Agreement, the following calculation will apply:

Oct 2023 160.6
Jan 2024 159.7
Difference (0.9)
Divide difference by .063 = ($0.14)

Effective February 25, 2024, COLA will be $2.88 per straight-time hour worked, as it was previously $3.02

Members,

Be advised that in accordance with Clause 11.01;

Annual vacation requests must be submitted by March 15
for the period of May 1 to April 30 of the following year. The
approved schedule of annual vacations submitted by March
15 will be posted by April 1. Vacation requests submitted
after March 15 will be approved on a first come first serve
basis and a response will be provided within two weeks of
the request

If the company fails to post approved annual vacations by April 1 or if you have been unreasonably denied please contact a shop steward or an executive member.

Please be advised that EVRAZ Calgary has following position available:

Millwright Position (1)

All expenses will be the responsibility of the interested employee.
Given the current layoff status, and in accordance with Article 12.15 (Interplant Trans-fers), “opportunity will be afforded to laid-off members from Regina prior to the hiring of new employees”.

Please contact Dana El-kerm at HRAlberta@evrazna.com or 587-436-6384 by February 9, 2024 if you would like to be considered for this position.

Members,

The 2024 Bargaining surveys are now out! If you are signed up for the text program you should have received a survey through text. There are also paper copies distributed throughout the plant and copies left at the Hilton. If you are filling out the paper copy, please return that to the survey box at the Hilton.

Please take time to fill out the surveys, this is your chance to set the direction of the bargaining committee.

In Solidarity

Members, THE BELOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO REDUCTION OF CREWS IN STEEL

The Company and Union have agreed to ten (10) temporary Inter Divisional Transfers to the Steel Division. Both parties agree this opportunity will be afforded to the most senior Tubular employees. These employees will have the right to return to the Tubular Division based on their plant seniority.

This LOU is in effect the next day following the signing of this document and will end on March 31, 2024.

HR will be in contact with individuals starting with the most senior, each person will have 7 days to consider the transfer with anticipated training starting on Feb 5/2024. This opportunity is for ALL Tubular and not just those on layoff. These transfers are considered Steel Helpers and do not have rights to bid or be placed in preferred positions.

Members,

It has come to my attention that there has been false rumors being spread regarding finances that pertain to the local, the District and the National offices and I would like to set things straight.

This local has, is and will assist both the National and District offices in regards to training, instructing, organizing, etc. Historically, the local has and continues to have a standing motion to be reimbursed by either office.

What does that mean? It means that any individual taken off work for work with the National or District office is paid by the local and then the local is reimbursed for all expenses and lost time. If there are any questions please reach out to myself (Mike Day) or one of the Financial Officers; Tory Sand, Dana Franklin ( on leave), Kimberly Roberts( temporary covering Dana). As noted at every membership meeting, if any member wishes to see the Financial they can do so by making an appointment at the office.

The District is offering Anti-harassment training in Saskatoon from March 11- March 15, 2024. If anyone is interested please email m.day@usw5890.com. Registration deadline is Feb 9. We will be seeking a motion at the Jan 15th membership meeting so please respond ASAP if interested.

The local is also looking for another Anti-harassment officer. If interested please email m.day@usw5890 as well.

Members,

On Tuesday the company informed the Union that there has been a significant vacation overpayment issue across Canadian operations.

In Regina, it is roughly $131,000 overpaid to 42 members. Individuals will be receiving letters from the company in the new year. HR and the Union will then have meetings with each member to discuss repayment options in the new year as well. Do not sit down and agree to any repayment plan without Union representation. There needs to be mutual agreement on a plan.

If you are one of the members who has been over payed and receives a letter from Evraz and have any questions, please call Mike Day at the office 306-569-9663.

Members,

Since the retirement of Denise (USW Support Staff) in January, the District has been filling the position of support staff with a Temporary Contractor. Currently the District is in the process of hiring a new Support Staff which hopefully will be in place right after the new year.

Please keep in mind that the Support Staff position the District is hiring for is a Part- time position at 25 hours a week.

The CPI figure for October was released on November 21, 2023. Per the Collective Agreement, the following calculation will apply:

July 2023 161.1
Oct 2023 160.6
Difference (0.5)
Divide difference by .063 = ($0.07)

Effective December 3, 2023, COLA will be $3.02 per straight-time hour worked, as it was previously $3.09.

Members,

In the New Year your local will be sending out Bargaining Surveys to the membership. If you haven’t signed up for the text messaging program, please do so to receive the link via text. To sign up Text 5890 to the number 32323 and follow the steps.

We will also have paper copies out at the plant if you prefer those. Please take the time to fill out and submit. This is your opportunity to give direction to the bargaining committee.

In Solidarity!

3rd Quarter Results
Our financial performance for the third quarter of 2023 resulted in profit-sharing payments for employees under the plan. The payout will be a $1.55 per eligible hour bonus payment for qualifying employees deposited into your bank account by November 14, 2023.

Our financial performance for the quarter was impacted by an increase in 3rd party sales volume, lower average selling prices and favorable foreign exchange adjustment impact for the quarterly profit-sharing plan calculation.

OCTG and line pipe sales volume slightly increased compared to the previous quarter; however, it was lower than the first quarter volume mainly due to the continued impact of imported pipe on the ground in Canada at a much lower price and distributors’ concerns regarding their inventory carrying cost due to higher borrowing costs, therefore, reducing their orders for the third quarter to manage their inventory levels. Regina steel third-party shipment slightly increased, offset by a reduction in Portland slab shipment because of softening in the flat market.

Overall, average selling prices were lower for the quarter for both flat and OCTG products. Regina Tubular’s 24″ and spiral mills remained idle, and we ran at reduced crewing levels at some of our production facilities in Alberta.

Looking Forward
We must continue to focus on improving our safety performance, stopping unsafe work, and reporting all near misses; doing these will help us have a better safety performance.

The flat products market is showing signs of softening, and as a result, we are seeing lower slab shipments to Portland in the fourth quarter. We plan to substitute the lower slab shipment with OCTG volume from our Tubular mills and third-party sales out of Regina Steel.
We must continue to control operational performance with a focus on the quality of our products, controlling costs, and delivering on our commitments to our customers

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, Ron Romanow. He passed on September 16, 2023 after fighting cancer, with his sister, Kathy, and his daughter, Holly, by his side.

Ron is survived by his son and daughter, Brad and Holly, and his sisters, Kathy Lewko and Olive Kotylak.

Ron had a generous heart and was a good friend to many people. He worked at EVRAZ, formerly IPSCO, as an electronic technician for 32 years. Being on the farm was his happy place, and he loved his Vega race car. He was a dedicated child of God, and we know he is in a better place, at peace on the farm.

Please join us for Ron’s Celebration of Life at the Rock of the Valley Community Church on September 21, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The church is located at 10 Short Street in Lumsden, SK.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Allan Blair Cancer Centre, 4101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4T 7T1.

The burial will be at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery on September 22, 2023. We will gather at the hall at 12:00 p.m. and the burial will take place at 2:30 p.m. To get to the church from Candiac, SK, drive one mile south and turn right. Head west on this road for 2.5 miles and the cemetery and church will be visible on your right. Please feel free to attend the Celebration of Life, the burial or both.

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The Union was a participant in a small diameter trade case on July 4-7,2023. Attached is the findings from the Canadian Trade Tribunal. The results meaning, the Unions and Industry were successful – and Korean line pipe will be prevented from entering the country at dumped prices for another 5 years.

The CPI figure for April was released on August 15, 2023. Per the Collective Agreement, the following calculation will apply:

                         April 2023                              160.4

                        July 2023                                161.1

                        Difference                                      .7

                        Divide difference by .063 =   $0.11

Effective August 27, 2023, COLA will be $3.09 per straight-time hour worked, as it was previously $2.98.

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SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2023
12:00PM – 3:00PM
CITY SQUARE PLAZA
(FIACCO SQUARE)

Join us for free food,
entertainment, and fun!
Ice cream, freezies, watermelon,
popcorn, hot dogs, dino bouncers,
face painting, soft drinks