May 19, 2021 - MyUNIONPlan@Work, formerly known as the TWU-USW Employee Life and Health Plan, is looking for a USW Local 1944 member who is interested to serve as a plan trustee. 

A trustee is a member of a Board of Trustees. Trustees are responsible for managing the financial affairs of MyUnionPlan@Work to ensure it efficiently delivers health and welfare benefits. The trustees are responsible for all aspects of the operation of the plan and are the decision making body that establish the terms of the plan as well as the policies and procedures applicable to its operation. 

You must be available to attend 4 regular meetings per year in Burnaby, BC (temporarily remote) as well as any additional special or strategy meetings and conference calls. Trustees will also be expected to thoroughly read plan documents and advance their knowledge by attending training opportunities as required. Candidates must be a member of the plan to be a trustee.

The deadline to apply for this position is Friday, June 11, 2021 at 12:00 pm Pacific Time.

In Solidarity,

USW Local 1944

Did you know that OSHA inspectors could be required to obtain a warrant before performing a workplace inspection?

Although the Secretary of Labor was granted the ability to conduct warrantless inspections of worksites to allow for identification of potential safety hazards and OSHA violations under Section 8(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, that may not always be the case. An individual named Bill Barlow owned an electrical and plumbing installation business in Pocatello, Idaho, called Barlow’s Inc.

On the morning of Sept. 11, 1975, an OSHA inspector arrived at Barlow’s Inc., informing Mr. Barlow that his business was chosen in the agency selection process for an OSHA inspection. To perform the inspection, the inspector was asking for access of non-public work areas. As outlined in the OSH Act, the OSHA inspector was not explicitly required to have a warrant in order to perform the inspection. Mr. Barlow denied the inspector’s request to access non-public work areas, claiming that it was a violation of his Fourth Amendment right to protect his business from the warrantless inspection. As a result, Mr. Barlow was presented with an order from the District of Idaho three months after the incident, demanding him to permit inspection of his business. Once again, Mr. Barlow refused entry to the inspector, stating that the warrantless inspection violates his Fourth Amendment rights, outlined in the United States Constitution.

On Dec. 30, 1976, a District Court ruled in favor of Barlow, stating that under the Fourth Amendment, warrantless inspections are unconstitutional. In other words, the court ruled that a warrant is needed for the inspections that OSHA conducts at worksites and facilities. The Secretary of Labor appealed this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, stating that OSHA inspections are considered “reasonable” under the Fourth Amendment. On May 23, 1978, the Supreme Court ruled that warrantless OSHA inspections of occupational establishments violate the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Although a company can request an OSHA inspector to obtain a permit to enter a workplace, workers have the right to report unsafe and hazardous conditions. Remember to document unsafe or hazardous conditions that you see or report.

SPECIAL ELECTION FOR : 

Financial Secretary

Gamrinus Roller Plant Grievence Committee

Gambrinus Roller Plant Negotiator

Due to successful candidates of the 2021 Officers elections not accepting the positions as well as no candidates nominated for positions, a special election will be held on June 1, 2021. The Officers of Golden Lodge will select people to fill the positions of Financial Secretary, GRP Grievance Committee and GRP Negotiator. Anyone interested in filling these positions should submit their name, in writing, to the Officers of Golden Lodge by 4:30 pm May 28, 2021. You must be employed at the Gambrinus Roller Plant to be eligible for the Grievance Committee or Negotiator positions. The people selected will be sworn in on June 2, 2021 and will serve for the remainder of the term. (May 2024)

Pat Eslich, President

Approved Golden Lodge Executive Committee, Official Union Affair

Click link below to view PDF.