Category: Uncategorized

The Leader Post from USW Canadian National Director Ken Neumann

Dear Leader-Post Editor,

The photo printed with the headline “Tory Candidates Laud Pipeline Industry” (Oct. 9) was carefully staged to show pipe produced at Evraz stored outside the fence of Tesco Mechanical, the company hosting this Conservative campaign stunt.

The story did not mention that Tesco itself uses pipe imported from China, which does not support employment at Evraz in Regina.

It did correctly report, “The candidates did not make any new announcements in regards to new projects or investments.” Certainly, the Conservative government has not done anything to prevent Chinese steel producers from exploiting unfair competitive advantages by undercutting internationally-recognized labour and environmental standards.

The new trans-Pacific trade deal negotiated by Conservatives in secret during the election campaign will facilitate importing pipe from Japan and Korea, as opposed to manufacturing pipe in Canada.

NDP leader Tom Mulcair has consistently supported a west-east pipeline, subject to a proper environmental review process. Unlike proposals running west or south from the Alberta oil sands, a pipeline going east would have the capacity to transport Saskatchewan oil and keep refining jobs in our country.

The Conservatives offer nothing but photo ops and empty rhetoric about pipe manufacturing jobs. By contrast, the NDP’s fair trade policies would limit the dumping of steel from offshore into the Canadian market, encouraging the use of pipe produced in Regina.

The NDP has better policies to support good Canadian jobs and is the only party that can replace Conservatives in Regina.

Ken Neumann,

United Steelworkers Canadian National Director and former IPSCO employee

A message from United Steelworkers District 3 Director Stephen Hunt

In recent times Labour Day has been seen as the last long weekend of the summer, but it should, and it does, mean so much more.  It’s a time to celebrate the sacrifices made by each generation of workers that have resulted in a better life for every Canadian.

By looking back we can appreciate how far we’ve come.  From the very beginnings of our union, Steelworkers have never backed down from a fight.  Emboldened by the strength and solidarity that has been the hallmark of the USW, our union has been at the forefront of every struggle to improve working conditions for women and men in Canada, and around the world.  And we know that our work is far from done.

This October 19th, working people have an unprecedented opportunity to elect a federal government that is truly on our side.  Voters from every part of our country are looking to the NDP like never before and we are set to make history.  We can elect Tom Mulcair as Prime Minister of the first New Democratic Party government in Canadian history.  But it will only happen if we work for it!

I know that Steelworkers are up to the task, so this Labour Day let us commit ourselves as never before.  Let’s talk to one more friend, knock on one more door, make one more phone call, put up one more sign and take one more person with us to vote.  In doing so, we will have honoured the workers that came before us and will have contributed to electing a government that will ensure a brighter future for working people everywhere.

Health Spending Account

As per article 17.10 of  the  collective agreement,for all employees active on the seniority list who have completed 750 hours in the previous year, Evraz contributes $100 annually to your HSA account. With that being said the $100 form this year will expire on December 31,2015.

UT/RT lines of progression and wage increases

 A 3rd Step Grievance meeting was held on Aug. 21st.  The Union Grievance Committee met with local Evraz Management.  A Union grievance, over UT/RT lines of progression and wage increases was discussed.  Management informed the Union that by Sept. 15 all Tubular lines of progression will be completed, with retro pay to follow.  Please watch your paystubs for wage increases and back pay.  New lines of progression should be posted shortly after.  Please check the list and ensure that your name is in the proper order and line of progression.  Contact a shop steward with any concerns. 

Overtime in Tubular

On the morning of August 20th members of the executive met with management to discuss overtime opportunities in tubular. These overtime opportunities will be first given to tubular employees and then offered plant wide.If anyone from outside tubular wishes to volunteer for overtime it would be as a finishing helper grinding pipe. This agreement will only be in place from Aug 20th to sept 1st, 2015 and is no way precedent setting.

New Coating Facility

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

August 2015 Lump sum Payment

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.

Retirement Benefits

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.

Union Rewards

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.

Tubular OH&S representative

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

Transfers

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

Committee Members Needed

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

Steel Recall

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

 

LAYOFF INTER-DIVISIONAL TRANSFER NOTICE

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’s

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!

Steel Division Layoffs…Here is what we know.

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

Stepping Up In The Local

Congratulations to Brother’s

Brad Gibbons (Steel Div.)
Brian Chatsis (Steel Div.)
Kushal Patel (Tubular Div.)
Ryan Sande (Tubular Div.)
Mark de Guzman (Tubular Div.)
Justin Welder (Tubular Div.)

All of whom recently submitted their names to be shop stewards and were accepted by the members at the local monthly meeting.

Brother Kurt Chernishenko (Tubular Div.) was also selected to be a pension trustee.

In Solidarity!

USW Pipe/Rolling Mill Meeting

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

Election Result Notice

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!

Local Union Election Results

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!

Mental Health First Aid

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!