Good evening members and retirees of USW Local 5328.

 I’m happy to report that the strike at Contrecoeur is over. The company and union came to an agreement over the weekend and ratified on Monday.  We should start receiving rod in the next few weeks. 

 Wednesday safety blitz! Every Wednesday morning management does a safety blitz. Yesterday  was no different and the focus was tractor and hoist reports.  I received a call from Isabel last night to inform me that out of about 12 or 13 workers operating a hoist, crane, or tractor, 3 or 4 had their report filled out, the rest did not.  Those that had a safety infraction will be receiving a written warning in their file.  You will be glad to hear that all supervisors and senior coordinators will be receiving the same in their file as well as the plant manager. Isabel has issued these to management for not following up.  I suggest you fill out the reports at the beginning of every shift! It’s for your own safety! 

 It was reported today that the oil temper will be running out of stock in the next week or so and the threat of layoffs. I called Isabel to ask if this is true and her answer was this, “there should be enough stock to get us through and the high carbon rod coming from Europe arrives on March 16, there is no plan to lay off”.  I asked when will we be receiving rod from Contrecoeur? She did not know but the start up of the rod making was flawless.  

 Our next membership meeting is March 10 at 5:00pm. 

 Have a great and safe weekend!!! 

In solidarity, 

Anthony Ciaramella 
President
USW Local 5328

The long ratification process wraps up next Monday, March 7, with the official counting of ballots cast for the new contract.

Here's what to expect:

• Mail-in ballots received by 8:30 a.m., Monday, March 7, will be processed.
• Late ballots will not be collected or counted.
• Local 8888's Tellers Committee will oversee the vote count at the union hall on Monday. The 8-member committee has been trained to run a vote count with mail-in ballots.
• Once the ballots have been tabulated and the outcome has been certified, the Tellers Committee will announce whether the contract has been ratified or rejected by the members who voted.
• The vote results will be posted in the union hall and on Local 8888's social media outlets (Facebook, text message, email, etc.).

It is absolutely FALSE that ballots not cast will still be counted, somehow, as "Yes" votes. Be clear: an uncast ballot is a missed opportunity, not a "Yes" vote.

Again, the ballot of any member who chose not to vote WON'T be counted as a "Yes" vote. 

With so much happening in the world and in our own families, the stress behind this contract has felt heavy at times.

Friendships have been tested. Rumors sowed confusion. But unity has prevailed.

President Spivey expressed his gratitude for your patience with this new ratification process, which he believes is fair and will produce a unifying outcome.

Phone Note: The (757) 247-5291 phone number to the union hall is active again.

The United Steelworkers (USW) International Executive Board issued the following statement today in response to Russia’s continuing attack on Ukraine:

“The USW stands in international solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they withstand deadly and unprovoked violence by Russian forces. Their bravery serves as an inspiration to everyone who fights on the side of democracy and freedom.

“As we seek to end this baseless war, we join with the global trade union movement in condemning the violence against Ukrainian citizens, including our Ukrainian union siblings.

“We call on international leaders to remain steadfast in their commitment to stemming the aggression and holding Vladimir Putin accountable for the death and destruction he caused.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.