First and foremost, there were issues with flooding at the Main Gate this morning resulting in some people being late. The Company has agreed to pay everyone scheduled to start between 5:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. who were late, from their scheduled start times.

Recently, there have been numerous changes in our plant, ultimately stemming from COVID-19. Displacements, layoffs and sickness have been a concern for all. However, with the Governor’s plan for reopening the state underway, we are beginning to see some encouraging developments.

As projects are being approved throughout the plant, we will continue to negotiate for work which can be completed by our members on these jobs. Though this sounds optimistic, we are still not completely out of the woods as the Company decides where to run orders. Orders are mediocre and some continue to be canceled. We are waiting to see how the automotive industry fares as they begin to cautiously start up their facilities while utilizing existing inventory provided to them in previous months.

The Company will be recalling some of our laid off Members to their respective departments, while others will be placed in the plant-wide labor pool. If you are recalled from layoff, to keep your unemployment claim active, please continue to fill out your weekly vouchers noting you have worked in case you are laid off again in the near future. You will not receive unemployment compensation for weeks worked, but it will keep your status current.

 As you know, there have now been multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our plant.  We have been working with the local and state health departments to allow testing for 6787 Members who meet the criteria for testing. There are testing facilities now available in Valparaiso, Gary and Kouts. To make an appointment or find out if you are eligible for testing please visit coronavirus.in.gov/2524.htm or call
1-888-634-1116. If you have symptoms, we encourage you to get tested. Facemasks are available through your Safety Representatives or department managers for those who wish to wear them or are unable to maintain proper social distancing.

In Solidarity, 
Pete Trinidad Sr. 
USW Local 6787 President

Tell Congress to Protect Our Pensions!

The GROW Act must be removed from the next stimulus bill. Contact you Representative TODAY!

The House will meet on Friday to vote on the next much needed stimulus bill, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. This new legislation includes pieces we were fighting for, like a temporary OSHA emergency standard and help paying for COBRA coverage for those out of work. Under normal circumstances, we would be thrilled about this outcome and urge quick passage, but a poison pill has been slipped into the bill that we cannot support and must be removed – a composite pension plan called the GROW Act.

We Must Protect Our Pension Plans

For years, the USW has been fighting to secure the viability of multiemployer pensions. We fought hard to see the Butch Lewis Act pass through House last July, and have been disappointed that the Senate has yet to address it. We also know the economic crisis caused by the pandemic has only amplified the need to stabilize these pensions, and needs to be addressed. Unfortunately, the GROW Act is not the solution.

Why the GROW Act Won’t Work

This proposal would allow well-funded multiemployer plans to adopt a “hybrid” pension plan, which cuts out employer withdrawal liability, eliminates the safety net of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), and...

Members and Retirees of Local 5328

Good evening all. 

 Revision to the schedule. 

 As far as the CEWS program, here is a bit of an update. 

 The agreement has not been sent back to us yet That may  cause a delay in the first retroactive payment so more than likely it will be May 28 as they are not able to process this quick enough through the government to be able to pay out for next Thursday May 21, but it’s not totally ruled out yet! 

 The $847.00 is max payout per week and based on your earnings from January 1 to March 15. Those on the Graduated wage scale may not see the full $847.00 weekly.  But it will be close plus the benefits, pension contribution, vacation hours, it’s win, win!! 

 The CEWS ends on June 6 but I’m hearing that the Federal Government will announce an extension in the days to come. 

 Those returning from lay-off will receive payment for the stat on Monday. As long as you have one day in the month but it’s based on earnings the quarter prior. The CEWS gives you earnings, reduced mind you, but it is earnings and those recalled will receive some sort of stat pay. 

 Have a great and safe weekend. 

Anthony Ciaramella 
President
USW Local 5328

Members and Retirees of Local 5328

Some recalls next week and a few more the following week. 

 Over the last 6 weeks we have been asking the company to apply for the CEWS, Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy, a Federal Government program. They held off and delayed but they applied for the Quebec plants. Well, finally, they have put us in the mix!! 

 What is CEWS,  how does it work, what are the benefits? 

 Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy allows company’s to pay their employees, active or inactive, working or laid off, 75% of their base  wage, up to a maximum $847.00 per week gross. The federal government then reimburses the company. 

 Let’s look at the financial differences between the CEWS and CERB. 

 CERB $500.00 per week plus $150.00 per week not taxed.  You will be taxed at next taxation period. Benefits extended to 3 months from date of layoff. No vacation entitlement or hours accumulated No pension contributions on a DC plan and no pension credits on a DB plan. SUB is paid on credits and once the $200,000 is at $70,000 it’s reduced to $100.00 per week until depleted. 

 CEWS, $847.00 max per week gross and all deductions apply. Tax, EI, dues. SUB can not be paid out on this program. 

 On the CEWS program, if laid of,  you are considered an “inactive” employee. What that means is, you continue benefits until the end of the program. Currently June 6,  At that point, you would be laid off again and your 3 months of benefits would start over again from that point. All hours on this program count towards your 1040 for vacations and vacation pay is determined by earnings the 4 weeks prior to your vacation. 

 When program ends, you will be laid off and SUB, if government allows, will continue. 

 You will also receive up to a 180 hours of contributions to your pension plan paid at the full amount for those on the Defined Contribution Plan. 

 This program will be retroactive to March 15. Our first layoff was March 29 so what that means is, if you were waiting for SUB, you will not receive any because it’s back dated and the CEWS does not allow SUB pay.  What it also means is, if you were laid off on March 29, you will receive a deposit of 7weeks x $847.00 gross. Please keep in mind, you will probably have to pay back the CERB come tax time. 

For you reference, here are 

Questions and Answers that were asked to the company and USW Research and Development department. 

 1- Is the CEWS retroactive with full payment to March 15. 

A- Yes. Example if you have been laid off for 8 weeks and qualify for the full amount, you will receive a cheque for gross 8x$847.00 minus deductions. 

 2- CEWS ends June 6, if government extends, will ArcelorMittal extend as well? 

A- The Company will look at it and if there are no changes to the program...

The Local 9487 has obtained through open records act the CSCD Employee Salary Survey as of August 31, 2019. Attached is a PDF of the survey including the Employee Title, Last and First Name, and Annual Salary. The total of all salaries is $25,118,455.26. A quick ,analysis indicates Administration Salaries (Administrative clerks and technicians not included) is $4,491,212.82 which is 18% of the total salaries. The total of all employee salaries with the title CSCD Adult Probation Officer is $16,040,469.32 which is 64% of the total salaries.