News, Developments and Information

Monthly Membership Meeting

A reminder that the monthly membership meeting will take place tonight Monday November 24th, 7:30 pm sharp. Regina Union Center, 2709 12th Ave. downstairs. Please use the south side entrance.

Agenda:

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

Stay informed, stay involved in your local.

Chain Bargaining Update

Brothers & Sisters

Your bargaining committee has completed 3 days of bargaining. During the process, the employer tabled a document outlining what a new agreement looks like for them;

• They still want – annual cash bonus with no wage increases
• They still want – to discontinue annual bonuses for all our pensioners and their surviving spouses
• They still want – Upon ratification, implement a “Defined Contribution” Pension Plan for new members
• They still want – mandatory overtime
• They now want – no increase to our current Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The union has proposals on each of these issues, we are focused on a new collective agreement without concessions.

We had three days scheduled for next week and the Union has had to reschedule these days. We have further days scheduled in December and we are working towards bringing back to you a tentative agreement. Everyone must remember, bargaining is not a race, we have had many meetings and we will continue to meet as long as we are making progress.

To date we have achieved many positive changes in the language and we have to invest the time on the money side of these discussions.

We are scheduling meetings with each Local Union’s CAT – Team, to provide them with as much detail as we can.

Remember Solidarity Works!

“We are Stronger Together”

In Solidarity

Bargaining Committee
USW 5890 / 6673

Note: Due to the union’s lead negotiator being called away to other union business next week. Bargaining for November 17th, 18th & 19th has been cancelled. More bargaining date for December 2nd, 3rd & 4th have been scheduled.

Telecommunications Workers Union and United Steelworkers Announce Merger

 

TWU-USW-Photo-600-1

TORONTO – In a referendum vote counted today, members of the Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU) have voted 73.7% in favour of joining the United Steelworkers (USW).

The TWU represents 12,000 members across Canada who work for telecommunications companies including TELUS and Shaw Communications, as well as employers in related telecommunications sectors. Continue reading Telecommunications Workers Union and United Steelworkers Announce Merger

Layoff Rumors Untrue

Recently there has been rumors and talk of a pending layoff. Yesterday, in discussions with management in both the Steel and Tubular Divisions. It was confirmed there is NO plans for layoffs and crewing levels will remain full into the new year. Also mentioned was plans to start running all four Spiral mills starting in early December.

In Solidarity!

South Sask Area Council Elections

Congratulations to Sister Dana Faul who was recently nominated and accepted to represent our local on the South Saskatchewan Area Council USW as Vice President. Dana has also accepted the position as a representative of the United Steelworkers in a VP role on the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) for the next three years. She also currently holds the position on the Executive of 5890 as Treasurer. Is a member of the Bargaining committee and Shop Stewart.

Navigating A Lost Time Injury At Work

When you are injured at work, it is very important that you do the following. Always make sure you report your injury at work by documenting it. This information will assist in processing any future Compensation claims for the injury if there is any further complications were you may require time off work.

If you are deemed unfit to return to work by your physician, a specialist or surgeon because of a injury you sustained on the job. Make sure the doctor is specific when documenting any restrictions you may have and the amount of time off work that they recommend. We strongly advise that you follow ALL the recommendations of the physician including remaining off work until they have cleared you for a return. Continue reading Navigating A Lost Time Injury At Work

Scheduled Arbitrations

Matheson – November 13, 2014 (Suspension) *Resolved/Cancelled

Kups – November 21, 2014 (Disqualification)

Little – January 22, 2015 (Substance Testing)

Ross – February 12-13, 2015 (Suspension/Substance Testing)

Sim – March 18, 2015 (Suspension)

Bork – April 8, 2015 (Suspension)

Simank April 9, 2015 (Suspension)

16×9 Documentary Program: Deadly Mills

Recently, our union worked with Global TV’s 16×9 documentary program to deliver a full episode that covers the Babine and Lakeland sawmill explosions. It’s a moving and powerful program that drives home the importance of our Stop The Killing, Enforce The Law campaign.

http://globalnews.ca/video/1610255/full-episode-saturday-october-11th

Brad West
United Steelworkers Communications

 

Buy Bottled Beer, Not Cans, Steelworkers Say

United Steelworkers launches biggest radio ad campaign in its history to end yearlong labour dispute at can-maker Crown Holdings

TORONTO, Oct. 14, 2014 /CNW/ – Today the United Steelworkers (USW) is launching a radio advertising campaign aimed at ending a yearlong strike at Toronto beer can manufacturer Crown Holdings.

Compelling, 30-second spots encourage consumers to “buy bottles, not cans” when purchasing beer, to support factory workers who have been on the picket line for 13 months. Continue reading Buy Bottled Beer, Not Cans, Steelworkers Say

Critical Need For Blood Donors

Canadian Blood Services has launched an official appeal to urge Canadians to donate blood immediately. This is the first time since 2008 that Canada’s inventory has reached such a critically low level. All blood donors are needed, in particular those with type O and A blood.

If the trend is not reversed, we will have difficulty meeting the expected hospital demand across the country and this could impact patients. As a valued partner, we are looking to you to help us rise to the challenge and help your fellow Canadians.

We are actively increasing our efforts by extending clinic hours where needed, accommodating more walk in donors, and fitting in additional group bookings. Please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or contact your local Canadian Blood Services representative if you have any questions about what you can do to help.

With only three months left in the Partners for Life pledge year, nationally we are 16,262 blood donations behind target. We are counting on our partner network to rally together to meet the pledge as a country, saving thousands of lives from coast to coast.

United Steelworkers National Health, Safety and Environmental Conference Oct 6-8, 2014

October 8, 2014 Toronto:

Our union has a fatality approximately every 9 days.

Bringing this sad reality even closer to home for the delegates on this third and final day of this conference was the families of three members. Jordan Fram, crushed by 350,000 tons of muck (water, sand and mud). Sam Fitzpatrick, crushed by a boulder the size of a car. John Savinkoff, drowned when his excavator overturned into a slough.

Continue reading United Steelworkers National Health, Safety and Environmental Conference Oct 6-8, 2014

United Steelworkers National Health, Safety and Environmental Conference Oct 6-8, 2014

Oct 6, 2014 Toronto:

Today marked the opening day of this conference that has brought together hundreds of USW delegates from across Canada who are hearing about the latest issues and trends affecting workers. They are participating in workshops, sharing ideas and gaining new incite to practical skills and knowledge that will help make our places of work safer. Continue reading United Steelworkers National Health, Safety and Environmental Conference Oct 6-8, 2014

CHAIN BARGAINING UPDATE #3

Brothers & Sisters;

One more round of negotiations concluded this week in Regina with both bargaining committees from locals 5890 and 6673 making gains that will positively affect all members. We have reached tentative agreements on a number of local and joint common language proposals.

Locally some of these include: Amendments to the 24” agreement, pay stubs, seniority, job postings, lines of progression as well as amendments to Appendix “A”, “B” & “E”.

Tentative agreements have also been reached on common non monetary proposals: Temporary Supervisors, Union orientation for new members, Inter- plant transfers, discrimination & harassment, Pension Trustee language, disciplinary & suspension procedure and contracting out.

Updates will continue to be distributed through the CAT members, web page and Facebook page.

Dates for the next round of discussions regarding “Non Monetary” language proposals are October 27/28/29, 2014.

Remember this is your future…

“We are Stronger Together”

In Solidarity!

Bargaining Committee
USW 5890 / 6673

Monthly Membership Meeting

Will take place on Monday September 15th, 7:30 pm sharp. Regina Union Center, 2709 12th Ave. downstairs. Please use the south side entrance.

Agenda:

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

***Third and final reading of three for amendments to local by-laws. Vote to follow.

Stay informed, stay involved in your local.

CHAIN BARGAINING UPDATE #1

Common Non Monetary

Sisters and Brothers;

On September 3, 4 & 5 your bargaining committees from USW 5890 and 6673 met with the company to start negotiating “Common Non Monetary” proposals.

Although a few proposals were tentatively agreed to we are very much at the early stages of this portion of the negotiating process. We assure our members from both locals that your bargaining committee is committed to giving every union proposal the attention that it deserves and nothing less, this is not a race.

Our next bargaining dates are September 8 – 12 & September 29 – October 3.

Remember this is your future and Solidarity works.

“We Are Stronger Together”

 

In Solidarity!

Bargaining Committee
USW 5890 / 6673

Communication Action Team (C.A.T)

C.A.T. is a network of communication between the local union leaders, bargaining committee and the membership as a whole. It is responsible for bringing the union message past the plant gates, right into the lunch rooms and onto the floor of our workplace. Acting as a direct link to important, factual information concerning the members of this local. Which in turn, opens another avenue for members to voice their concerns, questions or suggestions to the local executive and bargaining committee. The C.A.T consists of the following members.

Les Horvath – Dark Room (Spiral)
Tory Sand – Lab (Steel)
Vasco D’Ameida – Motor Room
John Forster – Motor Room
Kim Roberts – O&T
Tim Osborne – O&T
Shannon Fletcher – Operation Building
Jon Jackson – R&D
Bryon Folk – Rolling Mill
Tim Kachaluba – Safety (Steel)
Rob Desnomie – Safety (Tubular)
John Asmay – Salvage
Mike Smith – Spiral Finishing
Ray Sopko – Spiral Finishing
Rosey Shiels – Spiral Finishing
Joshua Kretschmer – Spiral Finishing
Kelly Wallis – Spiral Finishing
Kerry Molloy – Spiral Finishing
Jon Solman – Spiral Finishing
Dana Faul – Steel Stores
Dwayne Mitchell – Tubular Yard
Dallas Houston – Tubular Yard
Brent Henningsen – 24” Mill Line
Garret Rosko – 24” Finishing Line