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.
October 18, 2019 - IBEW 213 members employed at Ledcor LTS in BC have been on strike since October 1, 2019. These members perform contract work on Telus’ fibre-optic network.
“When Telus and its contractors are permitted to play ‘race-to-the-bottom’ with technicians’ wages and working conditions, all members lose whether they are USW 1944 or IBEW 213.” said USW 1944 Secretary-Treasurer Michael Phillips. “The less Telus’ contractors are paid, the greater the threat that more of our work will be contracted out for cost savings, it’s that simple. The better a deal these strikers get, the better a deal we can fight for in our own bargaining with Telus in two years time.”
The dispute with Ledcor started 2 years ago, in August 2017, when workers unionized with IBEW 213 in an attempt to protect themselves from unjust work practices and a hazardous work environment. These strikers are fighting for a first Collective Agreement against an employer intent on breaking their bargaining unit.
“The members have been fighting for over two years for a collective agreement,” said Robin Nedila, Assistant Business Manager at IBEW 213. “The bargaining unit has dwindled down by almost half due to Company abuse, mass terminations, department shut downs, etc. – all in hopes of discouraging involvement in the Union. This is Canada, we can do better than this. All they want is a fair agreement.”
How can you help?
Some IBEW members are scabbing, remaining at work despite the fact that their fellow Union members are on strike. Shame. In response, IBEW is launching mobile (‘flying’) pickets, to picket these scabs when they are doing on-site work, however, they need to know where the scabs are working to do so.
On any given day, USW Local 1944 has hundreds of employees travelling BC, and especially the Lower Mainland, whether during their shift, or commuting to and from work. We are asking members to join the IBEW 213 strikers’ fight by being the eyes of the strikers throughout BC.
If you see a Ledcor vehicle working on behalf of Telus in BC they are a SCAB. Some vehicles still have the Ledcor logo, but others have had the logo removed and look like the picture attached. Please report these scabs (including location) by sending a text to Robin Nedila at 604-786-0304. Please do so only on your own time (off-shift or on break), not while driving, and if using your company mobile phone make it quick.
Successful unionization and bargaining for Telus contractors raises the working standard for all Telus employees, and so their fight is truly your fight as well. Let’s help them win.
Annual Enrollment for 2020 begins at 7:00 am October 28, 2019 and closes at 7:00 pm on November 8, 2019. Annual Enrollment is your once a year opportunity to review, enroll or make changes to your medical, dental, vision and life and disability benefits. Also, add or drop coverage for eligible dependents as well as Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). Benefit elections or changes made during Annual Enrollment are effective January 1,2020.
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We will have the Union Hall Open on dates (dates will be posted as soon as possible) if you would like assistance with your enrollment.
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Even if you don’t intend to change any of your medical benefits you will HAVE to enroll to maintain your FSA or HAS accounts. Do NOT forget to reenroll for these benefits especially the HAS so you don’t lose the company contribution.
*LINK TO OPEN ENROLLMENT* *------>* http://www.mycontibenefits.com
*LINK TO OPEN ENROLLMENT* *------>* http://www.mycontibenefits.com
Deanna Hughes became President of the local in October of 2019. She was the Vice President from January to October of 2019. And prior to that she also served as the Unit President at the Essentia Health Hayward Clinic.
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Deanna Hughes became President of the local in October of 2019. She was the Vice President from January to October of 2019. And prior to that she also served as the Unit President at the Essentia Health Hayward Clinic, where she worked as a Rad Tech.
Deanna Hughes became President of the local in October of 2019. She was the Vice President from January to October of 2019. And prior to that she also served as the Unit President at the Essentia Health Hayward Clinic.
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Adam Ritscher was elected Vice President in 2017. He temporarily served as President of the local from December of 2018 to October of 2019, before returning to the role of Vice President. Earlier he served as a Trustee from 2012 to 2017. Before becoming a full time officer of the local, he worked in Environmental Services at the Essentia Health Duluth Clinic.
Adam Ritscher was elected Vice President in 2017. He temporarily served as President of the local from December of 2018 to October of 2019, before returning to the role of Vice President. Earlier he served as a Trustee from 2012 to 2017. Before becoming a full time officer of the local, he worked in Environmental Services at the Essentia Health Duluth Clinic.
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Deanna Hughes became President of the local in October of 2019. She was the Vice President from January to October of 2019. And prior to that she also served as the Unit President at the Essentia Health Hayward...
Deanna Hughes was elected Vice President in January of 2019. She also serves as the Unit President at the Essentia Health Hayward Clinic.
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Deanna Hughes became President of the local in October of 2019. She was the Vice President from January to October of 2019. And prior to that she also served as the Unit President at the Essentia Health Hayward Clinic.
