News, Developments and Information

USW Supports Provincial NDP Leadership Candidate Cam Broden

The USW North & South Sask. Area Council’s along with District 3 Director Steve Hunt, the WOS and SOAR met with the provincial NDP leadership candidates Erin Weir, Trent Wotherspoon, Cam Broten and Dr. Ryan Meili this past Friday evening in Saskatoon for a three hour question & answer form. Each candidate put forth their reasons for running and answered a wide range of questions and at times to criticism about how the party has handled certain issues in the past while in goverment.

On Saturday morning Steve Hunt, the Area Council’s and the Committee’s convened a caucus to discuss who the USW would support in the leadership race. It was not an easy decision, as each candidate displayed their oustanding credentials, ideas and determination to lead. After much discussion a ballot vote was taken a unanimous decision the Steelworkers in Saskatchewan have chose to support Cam Broten to be the next Leader of the provincial NDP.

The election will take place Saturday March 9th, 2013 during the provincial NDP convention that will be held at TCU Place, Saskatoon. To be eligible to vote, you must become a member of the provincial NDP party before Friday January 25th, 2013. It is only $10.00 to join and you can sign up by going to the following web site.

http://saskndp.ca/leadership-2013

Good luck Cam, you have the Steelworkers support & solidarity!

A quote from Adolph Hitler

“We must close Union Offices, confiscate their money, and put their leaders in prison. We must reduce workers salaries and take away their right to strike”

Adolph Hitler May 2 1933

Ask yourself this…..Are we as workers in Saskatchewan and Canada going to wait until we hear these words from our government before we act to preserve our standard of living and those of our children and grand children? Because it is already happening in the United States.

On behalf of the Executive & Staff of Local 5890, I want to warmly wish our members all the best this holiday season as your share it with family and friends. May you find peace, joy and harmony throughout. Have a very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year!
Corey Liebrecht

Documents Show HD Mining Only Planned on Hiring Its First Canadian Underground Miner in Its 5th Year | BC Federation of Labour

Documents Show HD Mining Only Planned on Hiring Its First Canadian Underground Miner in Its 5th Year | BC Federation of Labour.

Heres a couple of CBC investigative reports that were broadcast across Canada. The Steelworkers and USW District 3 Director Steve Hunt helped with information and resources.

USW Holiday Office Hours

Corey Liebrecht will be out of the office December 25th, 2012 and Jan 1st, 2013. Union office support staff Denise Manz will be out of the office from noon December 21st, 2012 to January 2nd, 2013 inclusive. District 3 Staff Rep. Sonny Rioux will be out of the office from Dec 8th 2012 to Jan 14th, 2013 inclusive. All Executive & Committee members can be reached at the following listed numbers and emails. here.

COLA Adjustment

The CPI figure for October 2012 was released on November 23, 2012. As per the Collective Agreement the following calculation will apply.

October 2012 124.8

July 2012 123.9

Difference 0.9

(Divide by .063 per each 1 cent) = $0.14

Effective with the first pay period after the release, COLA will increase to $0.75 per straight time hour worked from $0.61.

 

Kronos Swipe Card Grievance Update

Member’s at the meeting on Nov 19th through a motion from the floor voted in favor of sending four group grievances in regard to Kronos to arbitration. These have now been filed with the Company and we await their response.

Be proud of your Local and stand together Brother’s & Sister’s! Know that your executive has heard you loud & clear as a membership. We agree and in support of that have responed. Keep in mind that this is something that will not be solved quickly. It will take time and our reslove will be strong, yours should be too.

Solidarity Forever!

Benefit Cards

Due to recent events it has come to light that Brothers & Sisters should check and make sure the correct person is listed as a beneficiary for both the Union death benefit and the bargained life insurance with Evraz.

By law Insurance Companies and or anyone who provides a benefit with a stated beneficiary must pay monies out even if they haven’t had a relationship with the deceased in a long time.

Please make sure the person you want as your beneficiary is updated by checking your benefit cards should the unthinkable happpen to you.

The Sask Party Is Coming After You & Your Union

Members of the United Steelworkers do real work. The type of work that builds communities and creates wealth for all of Saskatchewan. When people like you work hard each and every day, it’s only right that they be treated with respect and fairness. Together, workers have fought for and won rights at their workplace. But the Sask Party wants to change all that making…

Continue reading The Sask Party Is Coming After You & Your Union

Kronos Swipe Card Grievance Update

After meeting with Human Resourses (HR) this past week, the four grievances submitted by the Union have been denied. We have given the Company till Nov. 19th to forward any resolutions at which time the executive will meet and make recommendations to the membership on how to proceed.

In Solidarity!

New Inspector Rates (Spiral Mill)

These rates came into effect August 25th 2012 but were not updated by HR & Payroll till Nov. 7th. Any members that are working at these jobs listed below or have worked one of these jobs since August 25th should keep track over the up coming pay periods (starting Nov 23rd) to see if your rate has been adjusted and any back pay owning has been corrected. If it has not then we recommend you see your supervisor at that time.

Continue reading New Inspector Rates (Spiral Mill)

Relevant Articles for 3 day layoff regarding breakdown in Meltshop

Article 12.13
(a) Lay-off Because of Breakdown
When a breakdown of equipment or a lack of material or work occurs and an employee is sent home as a result thereof, such employee may be sent home without regard to seniority, provided that such total time lost by any such employee shall not exceed three (3) working days in any one calendar month. If an employee(s) is required to work, the most senior qualified person(s) on that particular crew will remain.

Continue reading Relevant Articles for 3 day layoff regarding breakdown in Meltshop

Support = Strength

Participation in this Local by the membership has never been stronger. Attendance at monthly meetings is up. Many new Stewards are taking training. We have a Women Of Steel (WOS) committee breaking ground. Our social media sites such as this one and our Facebook page are popular. We even have the involvement of our Steelworkers On Active Retirement (SOAR) lending their support. Brother’s & Sister’s, your participation at any level in your Local makes us stronger. Lets continue to make this happen.

Solidarity Forever!

Corey Liebrecht, President