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The monthly membership meeting will take place on Monday August 18th, 7:30pm sharp. Regina Union Center, 2709 12th Ave. Downstairs using the south side entrance.

Agenda:

Communications
Grievance Reports
Financial Reports
Committee’s Reports
Staff Rep. Report
Initiation of new members
Unfinished/New Business

*Second reading of three for amendments to local by-laws

Stay informed, stay involved in your local.

Solidarity Forever!

Brothers and Sisters,

As our collective agreement expires on July 31st, I want to take this opportunity to assure the membership that bargaining is still moving forward. Talks are taking place at the table and communication with the company remains open. Production will continue as normal while we work diligently to bring our members a new contract. Let’s remain strong, focused and see this through to the end together. Solidarity Forever!

Corey Liebrecht, President

TORONTO – The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is contributing $20,000 to the Red Cross in Saskatchewan and Manitoba to support families and communities recover from widespread flooding.

An intense storm system deluged parts of southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba over the span of a few days. Over 30 communities in each province were under states of emergency. It has been estimated that the cost of flood recovery in Saskatchewan will exceed the $360 million incurred following the 2011 flooding.

“Flooding has caused real financial strain and hardship to families in communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and the Steelworkers Humanity Fund wants to assist them in the recovery,” said Ken Neumann, President of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund.

Founded in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization which focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries, but also supports Canadian communities in crisis. United Steelworkers (USW) members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements. In some cases employers make matching contributions.

Brothers & Sisters

Recently you may have received a document in the mail from Evraz called “Strong Rewards”. The timing of the release of this document just as we enter bargaining is highly suspect. However, it would seem that the company would like you to believe that they have ‘Compensated’ us through benefits that have been graciously given to employees as a reward for the work we do which quite frankly is not the truth at all.

The real 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 twelve years ago. This was all accomplished through hard fought negotiations at each and every bargaining table since September 21, 1959 when this local was proudly certified and they are not to be taken lightly!

Our first Collective Agreement (Contract) was signed in 1959 with Ipsco 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.

Our next improvement to benefits came in 1966 when still under the Welfare Article the union achieved Accidental Death or Dismemberment Insurance that paid $4000.00.

In 1970 the local successfully negotiated yet another new article into the contract which was ‘Bereavement Pay’.

As 1972 rolled around the members demanded a pension. The response from the company was a flat out NO. The local responded with the first strike at Ipsco. Solidarity on the line was strong and the members were determined. Stories abound about then Ipsco President Jack Turvey driving over spikes at the entrance leading down to the main office and arriving there with all four tires flat. As well, there was supervisors living in the plant for days while food and supplies were flown in by a helicopter that was rumored to have been shot at from somewhere on the picket line. In the end the workers held “Strong” and their “Reward” was a Defined Contribution pension where the company contributed 10 cents for every regular hour and the employees contributed 5 cents.

When negotiations ended in 1974, the local had achieved the first mention of a ‘Dental Plan’ under the Welfare Article.

COLA was bargained into the Contract with the header ‘Letter of Understanding’ in 1976. This was also the year that the word ‘Welfare’ was removed from the contract and ‘Benefits’ replaced it to more accurately reflect what the members were receiving.

In 1978 the local was successful in negotiating a ‘Supplementary Unemployment Benefit’ or (SUB) fund.

With the Contract in place in 1983, the local negotiated that the company would pay full premium costs of “Extended Health Benefits”.

Negotiations in 1987 turned ugly as the union demanded a change to the pension plan. In the end the local won a Defined Benefit Plan pension for the members that we still have today.

2009-2010 Ipsco is bought first by Swedish company SSAB only to be resold to Evraz months later.

2011 negotiations began with Evraz wanting to freeze wages and benefits and make major changes to the pension plan that was not beneficial to our members or the future of this local. These were successfully fought off at the bargaining table and gains in the Collective Agreement were made.

*Paid Statutory Holidays are not a company “Reward”. They have been written into our contract since the inception of the first one in 1959 and are enshrined in the Saskatchewan Labour Code.

In the last 55 years no matter what company has splashed their name on the buildings at work or what kind of “Values Driven” organization they claim to be; understand that not one damn thing has been has been given to us, Brothers and Sisters. Every benefit, every increase in wages and every gain that has been made in the 188 pages of the current Collective Agreement has been achieved through tough negotiations with the strength and support of the membership. Together we are strong and just as determined as those that came before us. Your Bargaining Committee is committed and determined to build on the successes of the past and leave a better future for the next generation of our members. When that is achieved, that is what will be rewarding.

 
Solidarity Forever!

Corey Liebrecht
President

A special thanks to the following for their support of the Habitat for Humanity “Steelworker House”. Continue reading Recent Habitat for Humanity Donations

Important Notice: The monthly membership meeting date has been re-scheduled and will now take place on July 14th, 7:30pm. Regina Union Center, 2709 12th Ave. Downstairs using the south side entrance.

June 20, 2014 – Long-promised changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) announced today fall short of protecting good jobs for Canadians and will leave low-wage workers in the same vulnerable position as before, the United Steelworkers (USW) says. Continue reading Forced to Act, Conservatives Still Fail on Temporary Worker Program

It’s time for a complete overhaul of the Harper Conservatives’ scandal-ridden Temporary Foreign Worker Program to stop the suppression of Canadian workers’ wages and the exploitation of foreign workers, says the United Steelworkers (USW).

Continue reading Steelworkers Call For Overhaul To Temporary Foreign Worker Program

We are excited to announce that the following dates have been scheduled as Build Day dates for volunteers to come out on site and help with the construction and be a part of the future “Steelworker House” located at 263 Lewvan Drive. Continue reading Habitat “Steelworker House” Build Days

June 23 – A meeting of 500 New Democrats yesterday afternoon at the Orr Centre nominated economist Erin Weir as the NDP candidate for next year’s federal election in the new riding of Regina–Lewvan on the city’s west side.
“I’m excited about electing New Democratic MPs from Saskatchewan for the first time in a decade and helping to replace Stephen Harper’s Conservative government with a progressive government led by Tom Mulcair,” said Weir. Elections Canada reports that the NDP would have won Regina–Lewvan had it existed in the last federal election.
Weir grew up in the riding and completed his first degree at the University of Regina. He campaigned in 2004 as a federal NDP candidate in Regina and ran last year for leader of the Saskatchewan NDP. He has gained national experience working in the federal public service and trade union movement.
“I am honoured to be chosen as the federal NDP candidate in Regina–Lewvan and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I encountered on doorsteps throughout the riding,” said Weir, who has an extensive track record of research, writing and advocacy for quality public services, strong social programs, fair corporate taxes, workers’ rights and a clean environment.

“Erin has demonstrated his abilities on the national stage as a sharp and insightful progressive economist in both official languages,” said Linda McQuaig, a national best-selling author and recent federal candidate. “He is a brilliant addition to the federal NDP team who will help it shape a progressive economic vision for our country.”

Steelworkers Support Erin Weir:

May 2014 – Erin Weir is seeking the federal NDP nomination in the new riding of Regina–Lewvan on the west side of our city.

I campaigned in 2004 as a federal NDP candidate in Regina and ran last year for leader of the Saskatchewan NDP. After joining the federal public service through the Treasury Board Secretariat, the Department of Finance and the Privy Council Office, I also worked in both official languages as an economist for the Canadian Labour Congress, the International Trade Union Confederation and the United Steelworkers.

I am running to provide a progressive voice in Parliament on issues that matter to Regina. We need an MP with the conviction to push back against the Conservative assault on our values and to articulate policy alternatives. I would be honored to have your support for the nomination and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my candidacy.

You can also share your ideas, ask a question or volunteer by calling my cell phone: (306) 541-3746. Together, we can make Regina’s progressive voice heard on the national stage.

Yours truly,

Erin Weir

 

Locals 5890 & 6673

Bargaining Up-Date

STRONGER TOGETHER

A tentative date of June 18, 2014 has been set for a meeting in Regina to exchange non-monetary proposals between the company and both Locals 5890, Regina and Local 6673, Calgary.

Your Bargaining Committees are committed to keeping you informed.

 
In Solidarity!

Your Bargaining Committee

In recognition of Canadian workers who were killed, injured or disabled on the
job during the past year.

Every year, more than 1,000 Canadian workers are killed on the job. Thousands more are permanently disabled. Hundreds of thousands are injured. Thousands of others die from cancer, lung disease and other ailments caused by exposure to toxic substances at their workplaces. On April 28th the United Steelworkers mourn with the rest of the nation and pay our respects for these victims of workplace accidents and disease. It is a day to remember the supreme sacrifice they and their family have been forced to make in order to earn a living.

These deaths and injuries should not be in vain. We should use this day as a day to review the pressure we are putting on governments for tougher occupational health and safety standards. A day to rededicate ourselves to the goal of making Canada’s workplaces safer.

Please join us in a service to remember these workers that will be held on Monday April 28th in front of the Regina City Hall, Queen Elizabeth II Court at 5pm.

April 4, 2014
COREY LIEBRECHT
USW Local 5890
395 Park St, Unit 26
Regina, SK S4N 5B2

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Re: 2013 Western Canada Flood Relief Appeal

It has been almost nine months since heavy rains caused catastrophic flooding in southern Alberta and parts of British Colombia. Over 100,000 people were displaced from their homes, and damage is reported to have been $5 billion. Last week, it was reported that last June’s watery disaster ranked third highest in the world in disaster insurance claims in 2013.

Steelworker members and their communities were among those affected. The Steelworkers responded with a local union appeal and with a pledge of support from the Steelworkers Humanity Fund. The contribution from your local to the Steelworkers Humanity Support Fund, together with other local unions across the country, and with the individual on-going contributions of thousands of individual Steelworker members to the Humanity Fund, enabled the Steelworkers Humanity Fund to contribute $58,000 to flood relief. Thank you to your local union, SOAR chapter and its members for responding to the Flood Appeal and for your contribution of $1,000.

Steelworkers’ solidarity with individuals and families affected by flooding was shown by:

Support for families and individuals – 20 individuals applied for and received
cheques or gift cards valued at $1,500. One individual received $1,000 for a total
of $ 31,000.

Support for the community – Bowwest Community Support Services Society
received a cheque for $22,000. Bowwest was part of a coalition of community
organizations that monitored the flood and coordinated relief assistance,
directing funding to areas where it would be most effective.

Additional food bank contributions – Because the most vulnerable in our
communities are least resilient and have the hardest time recovering, additional
food bank contributions were made in Calgary and Elkford for a total of $5,000.
Thank you again for your support and solidarity in providing much needed assistance to our members and their communities in a time of need.

In Solidarity,

Ken Neumann, National Director for Canada
Steve Hunt, Director for District 3

The company is once again hosting the Quarter Century Dinner to be held on May 23, 2014 at the Turvey Center. This years dinner is in recognition of all employees and retirees that have reached their 25 years of service as of December 31, 2013. If you have not received your invitation for you and a guest, contact Nicole Brown at 306.924.7700 or email Regina.Switchboard@evrazna.com by May 5, 2014.

To all the Brother & Sisters that have achieved this milestone, congratulations!

Corey Liebrecht, President

A special thanks to the following for their support of the Habitat for Humanity “Steelworker House”.

Saskatchewan Joint Board of RWDSU Regina – $1000.00

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3967 Regina – $500.00

CUPE Local 8443 Saskatoon – $100.00

United Steelworkers C/O Randy Rudachek – $100.00

United Steelworkers Local 189 Saskatoon – $250.00

United Steelworkers Local 5917 Regina – $4500.00

United Steelworkers South Sask Area Council – $5000.00

Date: May 24th, 2014

Location: The Last Straw Brew Pub 127 Albert St. N.

Time: 4pm to 11pm

Price: $20.00 per ticket

Door Prizes: Throughout the evening

Tickets are available now at the Local 5890 office located at 26-395 Park St. Regina between 8am – 4pm Mon – Friday or by contacting Corey Liebrecht, Vasco D’Almeida, Mike Smith or Dave McAlpin.

Please come out and support this great project!

On behalf of the Executive and Bargaining Committee, I wish to thank the Sisters and Brothers who participated in the membership survey that was recently distributed and those who attended one of the three meetings that were held. We received a lot of important feedback and are currently in the process of going through all the information our members supplied to us in regards to bargaining later this year.

As we move into this process, I would like to say how proud I am of this local and it’s members. Along with your bargaining committee, I know we will work tirelessly in an effort to bring to our membership a contract that you can be proud of. What will be of key importance in obtaining that, is for the membership to continue to stay involved and participate in what is essentially your future. You are the ones that will make the changes that you have asked for. The bargaining process is about you Sister and it’s about you Brother. Whether your a probationary employee, senior employee nearing retirement or anywhere in between, bargaining a strong collective agreement is about us standing together as one.

Solidarity Forever!

Corey Liebrecht, President

 

 

 

Date: Monday March 24, 2014

Location: Eagles Club 1600 Halifax St.

Times: 7:30am – 1pm – 7:30pm

Agenda: Your suggestions and ideas for upcoming bargaining 2014.

A motion was made by the executive and carried by the members Monday night to accept Brother Jon Sloman as a shop steward. Brother Sloman works in the Spiral finishing department and has been with the company almost two years.

A huge thank you to the members of the Rocanville Potash Employees Association who recently made a $5000.00 donation in support of the Habitat for Humanity “Steelworker House”. Outstanding!

Reminder to all Brothers & Sisters,

Monthly union meeting tonight at 7:30pm sharp, Regina Union Center 2709 12th Ave. Downstairs using south side entrance. 

Agenda:

Communications
Grievance Reports
Financial Reports
Committee’s Reports
Staff Rep. Report
Initiation of new members
Unfinished/New Business

Stay informed and be involved in your local.

A conference call was held this morning with the local at the request of Amit Baghel, general manager of the Tubular division. Our discussion centered around the rumor of pending layoffs in the division. Here is what we have learned.

Shaw pipe that is coating and shipping the current spiral order is having difficultly obtaining rail cars. The apparent reason for this delay is that the rails cars are held up due to winter storms that have hit the eastern part of Canada and the United States. As a result, management is considering a couple of options. A three day layoff in the near future. The possibility of an even longer layoff later in the month or both. Depending on the length and timing of layoffs, this could effect approximately 80% of our members currently working in the Spiral and 24″ mill lines and finishing departments.

Mr. Baghel would not confirm or commit to us any further plans except to say that members can expect to receive a 14 day notice of a pending layoff some time in the coming week. He has told us that more information will be made available to the union and membership on Monday January 6th when management will begin meeting with all the crews.

Fact: There is currently 510 members working in the Tubular division.