Strong Strike Vote By Steelworkers In Response To Evraz Attacks
May 26, 2017
Regina – Members of United Steelworkers Local 5890 at Evraz Regina have voted 99.3% in favour of strike action in response to Evraz’s extreme concessionary demands.
Evraz Regina Steelworkers have been without a contact for nearly a year – the previous contract having expired in July 2016. Despite the union’s attempt to negotiate a fair collective agreement, Evraz management have launched an unprecedented attack on the working conditions of their own employees.
“This Russian-owned, American-managed company is extremely profitable, but their greed knows no bounds,” says USW western Canada Director Stephen Hunt. “Evraz is trying to squeeze out even more money by attacking the long-standing benefits of workers, including a demand to end certain pension benefits for retirees and removing a benefit for surviving spouses. It’s a sickening and shameful attack on vulnerable people.”
Other demands from Evraz management include:
- 0% wage increase for 3 years and then 0.5% for 2 years
- Removing Cost of Living Adjustments
- Implement a two-tier wage system for new hires
- Reduce overtime payments and scheduling
- Alter the Long Term Disability Plan
“Every day Steelworkers at Evraz Regina do the hard work to make the steel that help builds our country and allow the company to be profitable. Instead of a fair deal that respects their work, Evraz management have declared war on their own employees. It’s a reckless decision that puts the viability of the company at risk at a time when they’ve just received a contract to provide pipe for the recently approved Trans Mountain pipeline,” says Keith Turcotte, USW Staff Representative.
“Our members built Evraz Regina and they are never going to accept this type of attack lying down. The exceptionally strong vote is a message to management that they should rethink the path they are heading down,” says Hunt.
USW Local 5890 represents approximately 900 members at Evraz Regina.