News, Developments and Information

Bargaining Update

The Joint 5890/6673 and Union Bargaining Committee have agreed to meet with the Company again in an attempt to negotiate an agreement that can be ratified by our local. As of today the Union and Evraz  are looking for dates that work for both parties. As soon as these dates are finalized they will be posted here. These dates will be soon (within 14 days). In the meantime the Union has agreed not to hold any Special Meetings.

Bargaining Update

Since our last bargaining update, your Bargaining Committee has completed 6 more days of bargaining. We have concentrated on all of the monetary issues.

There was a point during these six days where we were hopeful that a new collective agreement could be reached with fair wages and pension increases.

With the Employers latest Wage and Pension proposal we now know reaching a Collective Agreement today is impossible.

They have over the Term of our agreement; offered 4.25% in wages.

They have over the Term of our agreement; offered a Pension increase of $1 dollar.

The only benefit increase they have offered is to maintain our Weekly Indemnity payment to 70% of Job Class 4 effective August 1, 2011.

They have restored our C.O.L.A CLAUSE. SORT OF! They will pay C.O.L.A as they have in the past but they refuse to roll the COLA into the Collective Bargaining Agreement at the end of its term.

They have refused to provide our retires one half of a cent per hour, to fund the SOAR Chapter

We have tried to reach an agreement that we as your Bargaining Committee could recommend for acceptance. We are not close enough to consider that kind of recommendation.

We are in the process of looking at our options we will be in touch very soon.

In Solidarity

Your Bargaining committee

 

Why Unions are Important

The people who have been occupying financial districts in Canadian and American cities are motivated by anger over the glaring economic unfairness that exists in our society. The labour movement welcomes what these young people camping outdoors in tents are saying — because we have said the very same thing for many years.

The 1 per cent who are the mega-rich are getting richer while 99 per cent of us who are ordinary working people fight for a shrinking piece of the economic pie. Since 1976, median earnings in Canada have barely inched up from $44,100 to $45,600 adjusted for inflation. That’s an increase in income of just $1,500 in a third of a century — less than $45 a year in real terms. In contrast, the share of all individual income going to the top 1 per cent in Canada has almost doubled since the 1980s, returning it to the same level as in the 1920s.

Continue reading Why Unions are Important

C.W.S Retro Pay

Evraz has informed the Union that the some of the retro monies to paid out today is incorrect (too low). The Company has stated that there will be a correction made on Monday November 14 to address these shortfalls. If you are owed retro pay please check both payouts and direct any corrections to Roy Chinski in the Pipe Division.

Supplementry Unemployment Benefit

To be eligible for payment from the S.U.B., you must:

[1]      Have a minimum of 18 months of service with the Company.  After 18 months, you earn one week of benefits for each 40 hours (credit point) worked after the 18 months.  There is a maximum of 52 weeks of possible benefit payable and credit points earned.

[2]      Receive an Employment Insurance Benefit in accordance with The Unemployment Act, or in the case that you are ineligible because you have an insufficient period to qualify for benefits under the Act, you must make proof of denial from E.I.  When applying for EI, ensure to request to have a copy of your EI stub issued to you.

[3]      Be laid off and have not refused recall for any reason, in accordance with the Collective Agreement.

[4]      Not be sick or disabled and receiving compensation for such.

[5]      Be an employee with Evraz and have not resigned from the Company.

[6]      Employees must forward their E.I. cheque stubs within five (5) days of receipt.  Employees who save receipts and forward them later will not be eligible for reimbursement. Continue reading Supplementry Unemployment Benefit

Time off to vote in Election

Under the Canada Election Act everyone in Canada has  the right to 3 consecutive hours to vote. The following letter was sent to the Company  to remind them of your rights with a request to post it on the bulletin boards. Please make every attempt to vote, preferably for the New Democratic Party. The USW  had a part in starting the NDP and completely supports them. The NDP is the only party that will protect and preserve working peoples rights in Canada.

Continue reading Time off to vote in Election

Bargaining Update

Non-Monetary

The Joint Bargaining Committees (6673 and 5890) have completed five more days of negotiations with Evraz since the Special Meetings held on October 20. All Non-Monetary issues have been resolved except for two subjects. One joint Article (12.17 transfer to a supervisory position) which address’s time lines and rules for step up or temporary supervisors and Appendix E which address’s Lines of Progression and jobs subject to bumping.

Monetary

Both parties have agreed to meet again on November 9th and 10th and again the week of November 14 for further negotiations. Both parties have agreed that the intent of the next round of negotiations is to achieve an agreement that 5890 and 6673 members can ratify. We anticipate this process to be complete by November 18. The Bargaining Committee’s have made it clear to Evraz that if we can’t achieve an agreement by November 18 then both locals will be returning to their members and considering their options that were discussed on October 20.

REMEMBER SOLIDARITY WORKS!           IF WE STICK TOGETHER WE CAN NOT LOSE!

 

Election Notice

Considering that the Sask Party and their leader are now openly musing about bringing in “Right-to-Work” legislation and considering allowing for workers to have the “option of voluntarily paying union dues” (or opting out) the labour movement  needs to pull out all of the stops to get as many non-Sask Party candidates elected next Monday. This kind of legislation has in the past in other jurisdictions  caused the elimination of Unions which generally lowers every workers rights in the workplace.

Continue reading Election Notice

Bargaining Update

The joint 5890 and 6673 Bargaining Committee just completed 3 more days of negotiations with Evraz. There was some progress made in Non-Monetary issues.

During these three days the Bargaining Committee has been working towards a solution and agreement with Evraz on Articles  5.02, 12.17, 14.14 and 14.15. There are still several other important outstanding Non-monetary issues that need to be negotiated to an agreement. All outstanding Office and Technical issues ( Articles 12.02 (a)(ii), 12.09, 12.10 (l) and Appendix A)  have tentative agreements.

Both parties have agreed to meet again next week on November 1st, 2nd and 3rd to continue negotiations.

Inter Plant Transfer

Here is a memo that the Company put out  regarding Inter Plant transfers to Calgary in times of lay off:

According to article 12.15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Inter-Plant Transfers, employees laid off from Regina Tubular will have the opportunity to transfer to other plant sites. The Calgary Works Division and Regina Steel Division have several entry level production positions available. Employees willing to transfer will have to cover their own expenses (accommodation, meals, etc.) while in Calgary.

Continue reading Inter Plant Transfer

Special Meeting

The Bargaining Committee would like to thank everyone who attended the Special Meetings on Thursday. It was an uplifting experience to see everyone in our Union come together and support themselves and their Bargaining Committee with the goal of achieving a a fair and equitable contract that ensures all of us and our  families futures.

Remember  SOLIDARITY WORKS

Special Meeting Reminder

TIME: 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM AND 7:30 PM (Three separate meetings so everyone can can attend)

PLACE: HUNGARIAN CLUB – MCARA AND BROADWAY AVE

AGENDA: UPDATE FOR BOTH MONETARY AND NON-MONETARY ISSUES ON BARGAINING TABLE

*Note – Regular monthly business will be conducted at the 1:30 PM meeting in addition to the Bargaining Update

Bargaining/Mediation Update

Mediation

As was reported on September 28 mediation between locals 5890/6673 and Evraz was scheduled for October 13. Since that time both parties have been in contact with a mediator assigned by the Alberta labour board.

The mediator has heard both parties and has been approved by the Alberta Labour Relations board to issue a report that both sides are too far apart for the mediation process to produce a settlement.

Special Meeting

Since Mediation is now complete there will be a Special Meeting on October 20 at 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM to be held at the Hungarian Club (Mcara and Park Ave). The Bargaining Committee will present a report of both Non-monetary and Monetary issues on the Bargaining Table.

(Please note regular monthly business will be conducted at the 1:30 PM meeting)

Bargaining Dates

The Bargaining Committees for both 6673 and 5890 have proposedthe following dates to Evraz to resume bargaining:

 October 26, 27, 28 and November 1, 2, 3, 9, 10

(As of today these are tentative dates)

Why Unions Matter

Are unions more of a problem than a solution today?

Anti-union sentiment has accelerated since the global crisis of 2008 brought economies to their knees and left public finances in a mess.

Widespread frustration with fragile growth and soaring debt has been channeled towards unions, which are increasingly characterized as an elite, irrelevant, and a drag on the economy.

But consider this: No country has ever achieved widespread prosperity and created a large middle class without strong unions.

Generations of hard-fought union struggles brought Canadians the eight-hour day and the weekend; workplace health and safety legislation and employment standards; income supports for new parents and training for unemployed workers; public pensions and minimum wages; protections for injured workers and equal pay for equal work.

Continue reading Why Unions Matter

United Way Kick Off

The United Way fund raising drive kicks off next week!

Lets make this years drive one of our best ever  from Local 5890. Don’t forget that your donations arematched dollar for dollar by EVRAZ.

We, the members of local 5890, have consistently shown over the past 40+ years that we support the united way and its funded partners. Lets not make it any different this year.
To kick the drive off  there will be the breakfast and at least 4 draws for prizes. We can always  use more canvassers if anyone has some time and would like to help.  Volunteers please give the Union office a call (569-9663).

Thanks in advance for supporting the UNITED WAY.

Talks Break Down Again bettween US Steelworkers and US Steel in Lock out

Negotiators for the United Steelworkers have walked out of talks seeking an end to the bitter 10-month lockout at US Steel in Hamilton.

In a letter sent to all Hamilton Works employees Tuesday, the company warned the future of the former Stelco plant is at stake.

US Steel says the union’s actions make it clear that a negotiated end to the labour dispute is not in sight.

Union leaders, who left the negotiations Friday but made no public announcement because of a news blackout, will update Local 1005 members at a meeting Thursday night.

The 900 workers have been surviving on about two-thirds of their normal pay since being locked out in November in a dispute over pension plans.

With their employment insurance benefits about to run out, the workers face subsisting on only $200 a week in union strike pay.

Bargaining Update

Your Bargaining Committee and Evraz met again today and yesterday and attempted to settle all outstanding local non-monetary issues. We were partly successful and came to agreement on some sections of articles 12 and 13. There are still several  outstanding important non-monetary issues to our local that have been moved to the main table. These issues will be dealt with when main table bargaining begins again after the mediation process for Local 6673 is completed in Alberta.

In the interim the Company and your Bargaining Commitee have agreed to try to resolve the many outstanding grievances that are scheduled for arbitration. The Grievance Committee will be meeting again over the next few weeks to try and get this work done. As well there is an Office and Technical sub-commitee meeting to resolve some issues.

Thank you for your patience. Remember with SOLIDARITY we will get this process done.