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.
USW Local 499 was able to contribute a check for 1,000 dollars to the "Pay it Forward" program during the first week of Dec. 2019. Local 499 treasurer Matt Nichols provided the check to the Pleasants County BOE. The "Pay it Forward" program helps provide financial assistance for Christmas to several families in the Pleasants County area.
January 10, 2020 - Please share this message to anyone you know with Telus home or business services in BC.
Unionized Ledcor (LTS) Employees in BC, unionized with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 213, have been on strike since October 1st 2019. USW Local 1944 wholeheartedly supports IBEW 213 strikers as they try to gain a respectful first Collective Agreement. The better working conditions they can secure, the harder USW Local 1944 can bargain for our own improvements without the company being able to contract work out for cost savings.
The History:
In 2005, after a 5-month lockout of TWU (now USW 1944) members, Telus gained the ability to contract out an unprecedented amount of their work. Ledcor jumped at the opportunity to bid on the first contract.
However, training, pay and working conditions deteriorated quickly. Massive pay cuts ensued; training standards rapidly fell. Ledcor’s Executive message was very clear: they intended to treat their high-skilled employees as low-skilled ones to maximize profits.
When Management consistently refused to listen to their concerns, their Employees determined that collectively, they would fight for change. In 2017, they were granted automatic certification with the IBEW Local 213.
In what appeared to be an attempt to break their solidarity, a great number of experienced employees were fired en masse and replaced with inexperienced Sub-Contractors. Not only are the majority of them poorly trained, they are paid on a “piece-rate/per job” system and required to rush in order to make adequate income, with the end result that (according to IBEW 213):
property damage has become a norm.
hydro, gas, and water lines have been drilled through frequently.
shoddy workmanship has resulted in an abundance of inferior Installations and Repairs.
Quality work on BCs telecom network cannot be thrown together in a rush of improvised patchwork, by under-trained and inexperienced sub-contractors (contractors of a contractor). As Local 1944 techs know well, one poorly performed job can result in job after job after job to make it right, with customers bearing the hardship. Why should Ledcor be able to make Telus customers pay for their financial greed?
According to IBEW 213, Ledcor has refused to bargain in good faith for the last two years. Recently, Ledcor executed an en masse termination of 31 Employees, apparently an attempt to ‘bust’ the Union and intimidate (experienced) Union members who are fighting for protections that include: certified training to provide quality service, fair compensation, contracting-out language and job security. The current legal strike is really the only option left for members of IBEW 213.
January 10, 2020 - On January 8th and 9th, your Bargaining Committee consisting of Al Pasternak (Unit 63), Benny Chou (Unit 63), Perry Pasqualetto (Union Representative) and Donna Hokiro (Acting President) met to review the member’s survey feedback and set the Union’s bargaining priorities for this round of negotiations.
Stratcom members can be assured that the entire Steelworker organization is here to support them throughout bargaining.
During the January 8th preparation meeting, Administrator Omero Landi met with the Bargaining Committee. Secretary-Treasurer Michael Phillips also took time to meet and discuss bargaining issues and concerns raised in the bargaining surveys.
“I want to thank Al and Benny for their dedication and commitment over the years and for taking on this challenge of negotiating a stronger collective agreement for our Stratcom members,” said Acting President Hokiro. “We are proud of these members and we are committed to working hard to protect their futures. We look forward to productive negotiations with Stratcom.”
Even though your Collective Agreement expired on November 30, 2019, the terms and conditions of that agreement remain in full effect until a new Collective Agreement is ratified by the membership.
