Category: Uncategorized

On the morning of Thursday Aug 13th representatives from the local had a meeting with Evraz management where they informed the local that Evraz has entered into a joint venture with a company called WASCO. This joint venture will be for a new coating facility located in the south 40. They informed us the name of this will be Evraz/Wasco Pipe Protection Corporation employing between 50-70 people . These people will be hired by Wasco, as well Wasco will be managing the day to day operations. At this time we are unsure if these will be unionized employees or not but we hope to have more information on that and other concerns by the time they would like to start up in the 1st or 2nd quarter of 2016

Evraz and the Ministry of Economy will have a video production company on site to film for a promotional video on July 29.
There will be a release form if you so choose to allow yourself to be filmed.
You do not have to sign the form or allow your self to be in the video unless you wish to.
This is the form if you wish to read it beforehand.

Photo Consent Form_2015

 

Your Aug lump sum payment will be paid to you on Aug 4th/ 2015. Originally the company was going to pay it out on the  Aug 14th pay which would have been incorrect. It is to be paid effective Aug 1st, so Aug 4th will be the first business day following the long weekend.

It has come to our attention that some of the benefit statements have not been naming employees spouse’s on page 5 under the retirement benefits header. After discussion with HR on the matter, everyone this affects is encouraged to call Meghan Fetch at extension 636 and she will get everything added for next years statement.

By now everyone should have received their “strong rewards” statement from the company. It should be pointed out  that once again it seems the company is trying to make it appear these are rewards that they have just given you and not the pay and benefits you have had to fight for through your solidarity and resolve. Everyone should  remind themselves that these benefits have been negotiated at one point or another and have come from the tireless work of previous brothers and sisters throughout the labour movement in general. We need to build on this solidarity to keep improving  these benefits for ourselves, our families  and future employees.

Brothers & Sisters

Ian Gretchen has accepted the role as the new OH&S representative in Tubular. I would like to thank Rob Desnomie for the exceptional work he has done in this role. Rob has been a great asset to the the previous and current executive.  We believe Ian will jump into that role and be  a valuable asset to this executive. Ian knows he has lot’s of work ahead of him to continue the great job Rob did. I know Ian is excited for the opportunity to help out his brother’s and sisters’s. I wish Rob all the best in whatever role he would like to pursue and hopefully that includes staying involved as a strong union brother. I hope that everyone will congratulate Ian and thank Rob .

 

In solidarity

On June 16th management came up with what appeared to be their new interpretation of transfer language.

After a meeting this morning with management where your executive pointed out the clear disregard for the collective agreement, out right abuse of the Temp Transfer and Inter-Division Transfer language and seeming disregard for the employees safety, management agreed that they had made a mistake and will do better next time. Next time is unacceptable for us and management agreed to Cease and Desist immediately and the  members were back in the Steel division by noon today.

 

In Solidarity

Brothers and Sisters,

Your local is in need of your help! We are currently looking for anyone that would like to sit on the Steel Shift and Seniority committee and the Steel Contracting Out committee specifically. Tradesman would be the ideal members for the contracting out but any volunteers would be greatly appreciated. For anyone that would like to join these or any of the other committees please contact any Executive officer or call the union office {306-569-9663}. Remember “it’s your union”.

 

In Solidarity

The Local has been informed by management that recall notifications will be sent out on Monday June 1st with current laid off employees being on the schedule for June 7th.

In Solidarity

 

Regina Steel division members currently laid off, have the opportunity to temporarily transfer into entry level full-time positions for the months of June through August 2015. This will be for vacation coverage in the Regina Tubular division.

Members expressing interest must be available for orientation on June 4 and 5 and will be scheduled to work on the June 7 weekly schedule. These members will forgo any previous approved vacation submitted in the Steel division for the duration they are working in Tubular.

All interested members currently laid off must reply by email no later than 3:00 pm Monday June 1, 2015 to Andrea Johnson, Evraz HR Dept. at andrea.johnson@evrazna.com or at (306) 924-7221 if you have questions.

*Please Note: The number of positions available is 10 and possibly more. Preference will be afforded to the most senior employees who apply by this date.
** All Tubular division members currently laid off, with seniority numbers, are being recalled for a start of June 1, 2015.
*** No hiring for part time summer employment will be offered by the company while members are laid off.
**** This opportunity is subject to operational changes in the Steel division.

Arbitration Award May 3rd, 2015: Regarding an arbitration heard on March 30th, 2015 on behalf of Brother Marko Gustin, in relation to two grievances filed by the local. The first, a two day suspension and the second being the termination of Brother Gustin. Of these, Madame Arbitrator Francine Chad-Smith ruled that the grievance concerning the suspension would be dismissed. The grievance concerning the termination would be accepted with the termination reduced to a one week suspension with the griever made whole for lost pensionable time, monies, etc.

read here Evraz.USW gustin.sunset and service.dec

Awaiting Award: Regarding an arbitration held on April 8th, 2015 for Brother Shane Bork.

Upcoming Arbitration: May 5th/6th, 2015. Brother Brent Wiese.

Solidarity Forever!

Management from the Steel Division has confirmed to the local that there will be an extension to those members currently laid off. They can expect a return to work by May 7th, 2015 in the Melt Shop and Rolling Mill. Production members who have been working through the current shut down are also receiving notice of lay off until May 7th.

We were told this is do to a “hole in the order book” that was expected to be filled and has not materialized. Also the reduction of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) product demand because of the slow down of drilling in the oil patch is also playing a factor.

We can’t confirm what we are being told and can only come to our own theories as to what is going on. With that said, when pressed on the outlook going forward. We were told that it doesn’t look like things will change for the foreseeable future.

Plan accordingly Brothers & Sisters. This may be a bumpy ride.

In Solidarity!

Corey Liebrecht

Brother John Forster is returning to his apprenticeship  on Monday April 27th.  While John is away, brother Vasco D’Almeida will be acting chief shop steward in the Steel division until his return.

During the USW District 3 Conference held in Edmonton this week. Representatives from locals 6673 Calgary AB, 5917 Regina SK, 5220 Edmonton AB, 1595 Wabamun AB, 7226 Calgary AB along with this local held a Pipe/Rolling Mill meeting. The meeting was chaired by District Director Steve Hunt along with the Assistant to the Director Scott Lunny and Staff Reps.

Continue reading USW Pipe/Rolling Mill Meeting

As a result of Brother Mike Smith withdrawing from the race for Chief Shop Steward Tubular. We welcome Brother Ryan Mackenzie as the new Chief Shop Steward of the Tubular Division.

In Solidarity!

Vice President – Scott Mackie

Financial Secretary – Tory Sand

Chief Shop Steward Tubular – Ryan Mackenzie

Chief Shop Steward O&T – Kim Roberts

Trustees – Nick Little, Doug Massier, Kurt Chernishenko

Congratulations!

To all the members that ran for positions in the local, the election committee and volunteers. Thank you.

In Solidarity!

BURNABY, BC, April 1, 2015 – The United Steelworkers today launched a petition demanding Premier Christy Clark call a public inquiry into the explosions of the Babine and Lakeland sawmills. Continue reading Steelworkers Launch Petition Calling For Public Inquiry into Sawmill Explosions

We are happy to announce that seven members of our local along with members from USW 5917 and USW 6717 recently completed training in Mental Health First Aid. This course was held over two days in Regina and was instructed by representatives from the Canadian Mental Health Association.

These members now have the required training to recognize and identify the signs and symptoms in co-workers, family, friends and even strangers who may be or are developing a mental health problem or suffering a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.

These members are not trained to diagnose individuals. Instead they are trained to recognize the symptoms, assess risk, listen, give reassurance, information and to encourage and assist the individual to get the appropriate professional help and continued support they require.

They are here to help! All discussions will be kept private and in the strictest of confidence when speaking to one of the following MHFA trained members in our local.

Vasco D’Almeida
Kim Roberts
Ryan McGillis
Jasmin Imeri
Rob Desnomie
Tim Kachaluba
Corey Liebrecht

The local is in the process of planning more MHFA training and is currently accepting names of members who would have an interest in this course. There are 25 spots with 19 already filled. Please contact Corey Liebrecht at 306.530.6658 or by email c.liebrecht@usw5890.com if you would like to participate in the next class.

In Solidarity!

It’s a time-honored phrase that not only describes the relationship between Enbridge and EVRAZ North America – but also captures our shared commitment to pipeline safety.

This morning, in Saskatchewan’s capital, steel manufacturing giant EVRAZ North America announced that it’s investing $200 million over the next two years in its Regina operations.

Today’s investment announcement, the biggest in EVRAZ North America history, will pave the way for:

the installation of a two-step, large-diameter pipe mill, enabling the production of thicker-walled pipe;
state-of-the-art steelmaking and rolling mill upgrades;
and the ability to manufacture 100-per-cent, made-in-Canada pipe through industry-leading technology.

Al Monaco, our president and CEO, and Byron Neiles, our senior vice president of Major Projects and Safety and Operational Reliability, attended today’s announcement, which also drew Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall and Regina mayor Michael Fougere.
Prentice Jones Creek for blog ALSO SEE: Enbridge’s new North American pipeline pathway hailed by Rickford, Prentice.

Enbridge has purchased more than two million tons of carbon-steel pipe from EVRAZ since 2006 – that’s more than 6,000 kilometres’ worth – and nearly all of the large-diameter pipe we’ll be using for our company’s large slate of energy infrastructure growth projects in the near future, including the proposed Line 3 Replacement Program, will come from EVRAZ.

“We’re delighted to be part of today’s announcement, and to be part of a Saskatchewan success story,” Mr. Monaco told media and dignitaries during today’s event announcement. “EVRAZ is a proven partner, and we’ve built a long-term relationship on our shared commitment to making safety and quality the highest priorities.”

From an economic impact standpoint, EVRAZ:

employs more than 1,000 people in Regina; contributes about $30-million a year in payroll, property, and corporate income tax at the provincial and federal levels; and creates massive indirect value – about $600 million a year – from regional economic spinoffs, including purchase of goods and services, raw materials, and contractor services.

Enbridge is an integral part of that economic picture – we purchased 86 per cent of the line pipe made by EVRAZ in Regina in 2014.

We’re even more proud of our partnership with EVRAZ for our shared commitment to pipeline safety and operational reliability. For example:

Enbridge’s specifications exceed industry demands – we look for higher-quality pipe that undergoes more rigorous and more frequent testing – and our inspectors have unlimited access to EVRAZ facilities through the manufacturing process;

An estimated 96 per cent of EVRAZ steel is made of recycled content, and fortified with raw iron ore and alloys such as manganese and chrome.

Safety was also on today’s agenda, as EVRAZ and Enbridge announced that the two companies will partner on a joint research and development program to enhance pipeline performance.

Along with industry and academic institutions, EVRAZ and Enbridge will help to drive continuous improvements – with the ultimate aim of optimizing industry-wide safety and reliability.

Enbridge

Recognizing our long positive history with Enbridge, the 900 members of the local United Steelworkers who work at EVRAZ in Regina would like to express our thanks to Enbridge for continuing to be a valued customer and supporting jobs in our community. Our members take extreme pride in providing quality steel and tubular products required by your company and we look forward to the opportunity to continue supplying you through R&D and production of specified infrastructure that Embridge requires in important energy projects for our country.

United Steelworkers LU 5890

Nomination Results:

President– Mike Day wins by acclamation

*Vice President- There will be an election between Corey Liebrecht and Scott Mackie

Recording Secretary- Courtland Klein wins by acclamation

*Financial Secretary- There will be an election between Dave McAlpin and Tory Sand

Treasurer– Dana Faul wins by acclamation

Guide– Vasco D’Almeida wins by acclamation

Outside Guard– Andrew Polishak win by acclamation

Inside Guard– Trent Gegner wins by acclamation

*Trustees– For the 3 positions… There will be an election between; Scott Trenaman, Kurt Chernishenko, Nick Little, Ryan Sande and Doug Massier

Chief Steward Steel- John Forster wins by acclamation

*Chief Steward Pipe- There will be an election between Mike Smith and Ryan McKenzie

*Chief Steward O&T– There will be an election between Paul Euteneier and Kim Roberts

Notice of Election
Date: Friday April 10, 2015
Location: Change Room Building (Hilton)
Time : 5:00 am to 7:30 PM

The following positions will be on the ballot:
Vice-President
Financial Secretary
3 Trustee Positions
Chief Shop Steward Pipe
Chief Shop Steward O&T

Please contact the office for advanced polling, which will run from
April 1st-8th. Or contact one of the following elections committeeman;

Aaron Fisher, Craig CoXford, Brad Lazorko

Advance polling will be available, with a valid reason, for not being able to attend on April 10th.

This is your Union !!
Come out and vote

BURNABY, B.C., 23 March 2015 – The United Steelworkers (USW) has announced that it is withdrawing from the Coroner’s Inquest into the explosion at Lakeland Mills in Prince George, B.C.

USW District 3 Director Stephen Hunt says the union has lost confidence that the inquest will answer the many outstanding questions that remain.

On April 14, 2014, Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe released a statement promising that the inquest would provide the families of workers who died, as well as injured workers and the entire community, with a thorough review of the causes and contributing factors of the explosion, including: how and why the explosion happened; the roles and responsibilities of those involved in mill safety and their policies and practices; and what steps can and should be taken to prevent this type of event from happening again.
“Over the past week, the inquest has heard how WorkSafeBC’s failure to carry out its mandate to ensure the health and safety of workers resulted in a complete mishandling of sawmill safety both before and after the explosion. Despite this tragic failure to do its job, the agency is not being held accountable,” Hunt says.

As a result of relying upon WorkSafeBC’s flawed investigation, the RCMP and B.C. Safety Authority also produced failed investigations.

“It is now clear that the inquest is not going to adequately answer any of the questions that demand to be answered. The employer’s withholding of crucial evidence would have made a difference as to how the USW conducted its case and we will not participate in an exercise that does such a disservice to the families who lost loved ones and to the larger community,” says Hunt.

The USW continues to join family members, First Nations and the larger community in calling for a public inquiry.

USW Communications

During Wednesdays Union management meeting your union representatives voiced our concerns about Korean coils being run in Spiral and how this could affect union jobs. Management’s response was this.

The spiral mill is currently running 10 Korean made coils that were originally to be run in Portland. Due to production demands in Portland, these coils have been brought to Regina for a trial run only. The pipe from these coils are being cut up and sent to Regina R&D in the hope to qualify Portland.

Management also said that when Steel is running at full capacity it can’t keep up with the demands of Evraz Tubular and at some point Tubular might need a separate supplier to keep up with these demands.

In Solidarity!

NOMINATIONS FOR THE ELECTION OF THE FOLLOWING LOCAL UNION EXECUTIVE POSITIONS WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:

 President
 Vice President
 Recording Secretary
 Financial Secretary
 Treasurer
 Trustee’s (3)
 Guide
 Inside Guard
 Outside Guard
 Chief Shop Steward (Steel)
 Chief Shop Steward (Pipe)
 Chief Shop Steward (O&T)

AS PER THE RECENT APPROVED LU BYLAW CHANGES, THE BARGAINING COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, RECORDING SECRETARY, CHIEF SHOP STEWARD (PIPE), CHIEF SHOP STEWARD (STEEL) AND CHIEF SHOP STEWARD (O&T).

IF YOU ARE NOMINATING AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WILL BE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE NOMINATION MEETING, NOMINATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM DENISE AT THE UNION OFFICE 569-9663 OR EMAIL HER AT DMANZ@USW.CA. PLEASE RETURN THE FORM TO DENISE AND IT WILL BE TAKEN TO THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AS SCHEDULED BELOW. PLEASE ONLY SUBMIT “ONE” NOMINATION PER PERSON.

NOMINATIONS WILL CLOSE AT THE MEMBERSHIP MEETING, WHICH WILL BE HELD AS FOLLOWS. PRIOR TO CLOSING THE NOMINATIONS, NOMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM THE FLOOR:

DATE: Monday, March 16, 2015

TIME: 7:30 pm

LOCATION: Regina Union Centre, 2709 12th Avenue Regina (lower level)

ONLY ELIGIBLE USW MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO CONTEST FOR A POSITION. IN THE EVENT THAT THERE ARE NO ELIGIBLE MEMBERS WHO ACCEPT NOMINATION, NON-ELIGIBLE MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO BE NOMINATED AND RUN FOR THE POSITION.

IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE, A MEMBER MUST HAVE ATTENDED 1/3 (ROUNDED OFF TO THE NEXT HIGHEST WHOLE NUMBER) OF THE REGULAR MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS HELD IN THE LAST 24 MONTHS. THE NUMBER OF MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS IS REDUCED BY ANY EXCUSED ABSENCES DUE TO WORK, ILLNESS THAT CONFINES, ARMED SERVICES, JURY DUTY, BEREAVEMENT LEAVE AND UNION BUSINESS.

Congratulations to Leonas Labenskas of Regina who was the grand prize winner in this mornings Steelworkers “Raising The Roof” raffle draw. Thanks to everyone who bought a ticket and helped raise over $6000.00 for the Habitat Steelworker Home.