From Your 2019 USW Bargaining Committee

Thursday, September-12-19                                                                                     Release #12

Good day Brothers and Sisters,

The Final Offer the Bargaining Committee received from Vale has prompted several questions. We understand Vale has issued a Q&A to the membership today and would greatly appreciate if you could attend our evening meeting at 8pm at the Royal Canadian Legion where the bargaining committee intends to answer your questions.

Benefits Questions and Answers – 2019 Negotiations

Earlier today Vale released the following Q&A, The Union will also take this opportunity to give a response to the Questions.

Q: What is Vale’s goal in this negotiation?

Vale A: Our goal is a new 5 year collective agreement that establishes our mining and milling operation with a bright and sustainable future.

Union A: No dispute with this statement.

Q: What is the future of the Thompson Operations?

Vale A: We are in the midst of two important feasibility studies concerning the extension of Thompson Mine which, with approval, will extend the life of our operation for decades. The extension of Thompson Mine involves two projects, which collectively, are expected to cost well in excess of $1 Billion dollars over the coming years.

Union A: While the union recognizes the potential for mining and milling in the area, we are disappointed that Vale has made no significant investments to the existing infrastructure for quite some time. We recognize that major capital investments require substantial finances, however we strongly disagree with the idea that those finances should come directly out of the pockets of the membership.

Q: Why has the Company issued a final offer?

Vale A: Excellent progress has been made in this negotiation and the parties have agreed to many items, including necessary benefits changes. A key issue that separates the parties is providing retiree benefits for employees hired after September 15, 2019. The future we are creating requires significant capital investments over the coming years and...

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Fun Night

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The Burleigh Bulletin is the latest Union news and information provided to our Briggs and Stratton Unit. 

The latest issue, #5 - September 2019, can be found HERE

RIGHT TO WORK =  WORK WITHOUT YOUR RIGHTS!!! 

RIGHT TO WORK ACT is a slogan that was made to sounds so good to the uneducated person. PLEASE educate yourself before you unknowingly support  this movement that KILLS WORKERS AND THEIR RIGHTS.

This article is written for the average person.

Collective Bargaining Units (UNIONS) are a workplace democracy. Unions are made up of the workers of that workplace/industry. Some achievements of unions include: creating/maintaining a standard of fair wages and healthcare benefits while protecting the safety of the workforce. Also...they bargain for funds to provide pensions for retired workers. The list goes on...  These benefits are there for people of any religion, race, gender within. 

To make it simple - Right to Work  allows for a worker of any workplace, where a union exists,  to not have to pay union dues. Union dues gives the union a chance to fight for its workers on various subjects. If this bill passes, the unions would be starved of the funds it needs to fight for its workers rights.

This RTW movement was first created out of hatred whenever unions fought against descrimination in the workplace. Today, this same movement is about CORPORATE GREED in which will then open the door again for any and all forms of descrimination without any chance to fight it. 

How does RTW kill workers?

Within a union, you have the right to work safe - to investigate a job that where safety is in question and find a way to do it safely. Without a union, you have to do the job or else. Here's an example that many of us in the industry can relate to:

A 55 year old worker has a job to put grease into a bearing. The bearing is located in a spot where there is a potential of bodily harm when the machine next to it is running. He warns the young fresh out of school manager of the danger. This manager has no experience and never performed this task ever in his life.

In a union, the job gets done when the job is made safe.

In a non union setting - the worker either gets written up or replaced by someone who will compromise their personal safety.  

Congress themselves...

From Your 2019 USW Bargaining Committee

Wednesday, September-11-19                                                                                             Release #11

Good day Brothers and Sisters,

The Union has received the final offer from the Company and are reviewing and costing it.

The final offer will be presented to the membership tomorrow morning at the Royal Canadian Legion as below.

Meeting # 1 will be held Thursday September 12th at 8.00am

Meeting # 2 will be held Thursday September 12th at 8.00pm

 The members will be able to review the final offer and vote Friday September 13th and Saturday September 14th from 8.00 am to 8.00pm.

Thank you for your patience during this process, no details will be released until tomorrow morning.

Please contact the Union with any questions you may have about the bargaining process, and thanks for your ongoing support.

In Solidarity, Your Bargaining Committee Warren, Scott, Matt, Keith, Dave and Todd.

Please come join us by video chat or in person at the Unit office.  Please note that you do not need to stay for the full 2 hours – you can just pop in and ask a few questions or see what’s happening at 3030.

- Learn about discipline that happens at 3030

- Learn tips to keep you safe from discipline

- Brief overview of what it means to be a Shop Steward and how we can help you and answer your questions

- How can your Union help you

- Learn how being in a Union benefits you

- Why you should always request a Shop Steward for an Investigative meeting

- How the grievance process works

- Big wins for our Unit for Grievances and Arbitrations

- Please send any questions you would like in advance to: [email protected]

- Zoom video chat is easy! See info above.

 If you would like to join this meeting by Zoom web conferencing, please contact the office @ ab[email protected] to receive instructions