We are the United Steelworkers, North America’s largest industrial union. We’re 1.2 million members and retirees strong in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. We proudly represent men and women who work in nearly every industry there is.
Last night, the Local was able to have a brief meeting with Sara Dorfman, Essentia Health's Director of Employee Labor Relations (ELR), to address multiple concerns and questions that our membership has brought forth. The main thing we learned was that the company is currently compiling data from all of the departments and sites about what their specific staffing needs are now that non-essential procedures and appointments have been pushed back. The company will be processing that data during the second half of this week and will start acting on it next week.
We have scheduled another meeting with ELR for Friday morning, to get an update on where they are in their planning process and we will also be having subsequent discussions and then next week with ELR as things continue to unfold.
As of right now, the company confirmed to us that they are looking into finding alternative work assignments for as many workers as possible who will be negatively affected by the upcoming adjustments to staffing. The union requested that the company ask all of our members if they would prefer to take a voluntary administrative leave rather than continuing to work during the pandemic. They agreed to consider this.
At this time the primary goal of our Local union is to push for all of our members to have as many options as possible made available to them by Essentia. One of those big pushes is to try and get Essentia to allow for our members to keep their health insurance if they go on a voluntary leave or if they are laid off. In general, the union is determined to mitigate this crisis as much as possible.
We also learned that Essentia will be paying any employee who was "low needed" last week or this week due to the changes in workflow and patient numbers as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic. They will continue to do so until March 29. If you volunteered for or were assigned low need during this 2 week time frame, there is a NEW special code that needs to be entered into Labor Works so that you will be paid without having to use your PTO or take VTO We recommend bringing any questions about this process to your immediate supervisor first.
And finally, with so much happening, we want to let you know ways that you can stay in the loop with your union. We plan to continue to post regular updates on our facebook page and on our website. Our office is staffed, so feel free to call or email us. And we have also just set up a text alert system that you can sign up for which we’ll...
We just met the company and received the information.
There will NOT be a complete plant shutdown , lay-off as of today.
We have had about 30% to 40% of our US customers cancel orders as I mentioned last night.
The Rod mill in Quebec is applying for an “Essential service” as being part of the supply chain to us.
We will not produce any wire products to stockpile as it’s to satisfy the customers that are still able to accept our material.
With this information, there will be layoffs at a minimum right now and could have more of an impact as the weeks go on.
The situation is extremely unpredictable to see any future in regards to how many lay-offs.
As of now, this is what is being cut back.
-Shipping, 2 people
-Holcroft Furnace- 8 people.
-Bundle, 8 people.
-Cleaning, 2 people
-Driving, 2 people
-Wiredrawing- 3 people.
Total 25 people but we are trying for some different ideas as to minimize the layoff using vacation time, preretirement vacation, removing the janitorial service and using bargaining unit, adding people to existing jobs.
Bumps will begin today as this will take affect as of Sunday March 29th.
Those that qualify for SUB pay will be set up through HR. You must have 18 months service and In receipt of EI through lay-off to qualify.
I will be in meetings over the next few hours but myself, Mike Hnatjuk and Jason Davey will be available to answer questions later today.
We will work hard to keep this to a minimum and keep people working, as well as try some different ideas as to allow those that do not want to be at work during the critical time that we need to be calm, look after yourself, your families, and your sisters and brothers at work.
If you are a member that has been laid off there is alot of info under the Covid-19 Info tab on our website. It will answer alot of your questions and help direct you to appling for Employment Insurance Benifits.
Last week the 1st shift Die Cast Sample Technician showed symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. This individual decided to continue to work until Friday March 20th, 2020 and as of today Tuesday March 24, 2020 has tested positive for the Coronavirus. Any Union member who came in contact with the 1st shift Die Cast Sample Technician (inside the 6 ft. social distancing guidelines) on either Thursday March 19th or Friday March 20th is being asked to report the contact to Dian Fellows [email protected] [5] or 414-247-3589 and to self-quarantine until Tuesday March 31st to see if symptoms develop. On Wednesday April 1st you may return to work with a doctor’s note or will be asked to have your temperature taken by a first responder to show you are symptom free. Please report if you have symptoms while you are out on self-quarantine. You may fill out the EPT Layoff or EPT Sickness/Quarantine forms. (*Link to EPT forms* [6]).
Last week the 1st shift Die Cast Sample Technician showed symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. This individual decided to continue to work until Friday March 20th, 2020 and as of today Tuesday March 24, 2020 has tested positive for the Coronavirus. Any Union member who came in contact with the 1st shift Die Cast Sample Technician (inside the 6 ft. social distancing guidelines) on either Thursday March 19th or Friday March 20th is being asked to report the contact to Dian Fellows [email protected] [5] or 414-247-3589 and to self-quarantine until Tuesday March 31st to see if symptoms develop. On Wednesday April 1st you may return to work with a doctor’s note or will be asked to have your temperature taken by a first responder to show you are symptom free. Please report if you have symptoms while you are out on self-quarantine. You may fill out the EPT Layoff or EPT Sickness/Quarantine forms. (*Link to EPT forms* [6]).
Part 2 – Confirmed Positive Test at Strattec & Instructions
Part 3 – Union’s Recommendation, Insurance, Unemployment & Contact Information
“Safer at Home” Order & Strattec
Governor Evers has issued a “Safer at Home” Order effective 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday March 25, 2020 and will remain in effect until 8:00 a.m. on Friday April 24, 2020 or until a superseding order is issued (Link to “Safer at Home” Order). In this order Governor Evers has defined essential businesses that are exempt and can remain open. Strattec has been identified as an essential business in this order under the section for manufacturing companies and supply chains (Link to a copy of Essential Business email). Strattec is making the choice to remain open following this Order (Link to Strattec travel letter). Our members still have the option for EPT Layoff and no points under the EP Attendance Policy for Sickness or Quarantine (Link to EPT Forms). As of right now all shifts and departments are to report to work as normal unless you apply for one of the Emergency Pandemic options.
Confirmed Positive Test at Strattec & Instructions
Last week the 1st shift Die Cast Sample Technician showed symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. This individual decided to continue to work until Friday March 20th, 2020 and as of today Tuesday March 24, 2020 has tested positive for the Coronavirus. Any Union member who came in contact with the 1st shift Die Cast Sample Technician (inside the 6 ft. social distancing guidelines) on either Thursday March 19th or Friday March 20th is being asked to report the contact to Dian Fellows [email protected] or 414-247-3589 and to self-quarantine until Tuesday March 31st to see if symptoms develop. On Wednesday April 1st you may return to work with a doctor’s note or will be asked to have your temperature taken by a first responder to show you are symptom free. Please report if you have symptoms while you are out on self-quarantine. You may fill out the EPT Layoff or EPT Sickness/Quarantine forms. (Link to EPT forms)....
