Category: Bargaining 2016

Are benefits we receive a reward?

The truth is our benefits are NOT a reward. They came from the Brothers and Sisters before us that held a sit down, a walk out, three strikes and another strike that was averted at the 11th hour a mere fourteen years ago. This was all accomplished through hard fought negotiations at each and every bargaining table since September 21, 1959 when USW 5890 in Regina Sask. was proudly certified.

Brief History

USW 5890 in Regina’s first Collective Agreement (Contract) was signed in 1959 with Ipsco, our former employer and did not include any benefits for workers. Job Classes ran from 1-15 and paid $1.70 and $2.54 per hour respectively. The Contract was 30 pages long.The second Contract was signed in 1961 with a new Article named “Welfare”. This was the first time anything remotely close to benefits was mentioned. The coverage included two things in the article. First the company agreed to pay the premiums to cover Medical Services in the province. Second they agreed to cover Sickness and Accident Insurance that would pay a member $20.00 per week for 13 weeks.

Continue reading Are benefits we receive a reward?

Degasser Update

At today’s Union/ management meeting the company informed the union that starting Monday Dec 5th, they will be starting the process of trying to fill the Degasser position beginning with the senior employees from the EAF/LMF lines of progression.

If you have any questions please contact a member of the Executive or Shift & Overtime Committee. Please make sure of what all your options are and do not hesitate to call the Union Office for clarity. 306-569-9663.

 

Bargaining Update

Over the last 2 days your bargaining committee and members of both Steel Shift and Seniority and Tubular Shift and Seniority committees were meeting to discuss the company’s proposed changes to Lines of Progression in both Divisions.

The Union recommended to the the company that a tour was needed in the Melt shop, 24 inch mill and Mill 5. On Tuesday you may have noticed the committees touring these locations with individuals from management. On Wednesday both committees sat down with the company to discuss these proposed changes. There was very good discussion from both sides of the table and to date there has been nothing agreed to or signed off on regarding Lines of Progression. Both the Union and Company are looking at future dates to continue talks.

 

In Solidarity.

Sept Bargaining Update

On September 20th your bargaining committee met with the company for 3 days with much of the discussion forming around Article 9.09{overtime distribution} and Lines of Progression language. The parties have agreed to new language under Article 9.09.

During this discussion the Union informed the Company that the Mandatory Overtime they have proposed is a non- starter. In response the company replied that it will be there till the end. Brothers and Sisters it is and will be the stance of this bargaining committee that all Overtime is Voluntary!

Your committee is working on dates to continue the discussions on Lines of Progression. When dates are finalized with the company we will communicate that information to you as well.

Bargaining Update

 

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

 

June 3rd 2016 Bargaining Update (Camrose)

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 Update June 2

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 #_________________

May 19 Bargaining Update

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.

March 2016 Bargaining Update

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.

Chain Bargaining Update

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!

Pre Bargaining Meetings

“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.