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.
This issue features an article from Acting Vice President Pierre-Luc Dick on organizing workers in the telecom sector across the country. Organizing Canada’s telecom industry as a whole would put a stop to the race to the bottom, where business goes to the lowest-paying companies.
Earlier this month, members at Telus who were scheduled for taking appointment bookings for COVID-19 vaccines received instructions regarding the login process that were contradictory to the collective agreement and settlements reached between Telus and the Union. It is thanks to direct communication between the members and the Local Union that the issue was dealt with in a matter of hours and the company had to adjust its instructions.
In the March issue of the magazine, you will find more stories from members, ideas on how to get involved, new networking tools in our provinces, and opportunities for scholarships.
Ce numéro contient un article du Vice-président par intérim Pierre-Luc Dick sur la syndicalisation des travailleuses et travailleurs du secteur des télécommunications à travers le pays. Syndicaliser le secteur canadien des télécommunications dans son ensemble mettrait un terme au nivellement vers le bas, qui privilégie les compagnies qui paient leurs employés au salaire le plus bas.
Plus tôt ce mois-ci, les membres de Telus chargés de prendre des réservations pour les rendez-vous de vaccination COVID-19 ont reçu des instructions concernant le processus de connexion qui étaient en contradiction avec la convention collective et les accords conclus entre Telus et le syndicat. C’est grâce à une communication directe entre les membres et la Section locale que le problème a été réglé en quelques heures et que la compagnie a dû rectifier ses instructions.
Dans le numéro de mars du magazine, vous lirez des nouvelles des membres, vous trouverez des idées pour vous impliquer, vous en apprendrez plus sur de nouveaux outils de réseautage dans nos provinces et sur les possibilités de bourses d’études.
After almost eleven years of back and forth, we are finally seeing the genesis of the highly anticipated Walking Beam Furnaces as we successfully produced Hot Band Coils yesterday in the Hot Mill out of Furnace #4. This addition to our plant did not come without sacrifice and for this, you should be commended. Moving forward, we will continue to engage the Company to agree to an interim incentive plan as we collect data to base the future incentive plan on.
On another note, after reviewing the Arbitrator’s SUB pay arbitration award, anyone who met the criteria for SUB pay under Article 8 of our Basic Labor Agreement should be compensated April 5th. Please remember, SUB pay is a percentage of your base rate dependent on your years of service and only applies to those laid off, either voluntarily or involuntarily. We will see these payments reflected on our pay stubs any day now titled as “Grievance Pay” in the Earnings Section. If you have any questions or notice a discrepancy regarding the award, please bring it to our attention immediately.
Recently, there have been a number of accidents in the plant. Recognizing hazards before they become tragedies is necessary to our well being as well as those around us. Please remember, we need to look out for one another. Every one of us are the first line of defense when it comes to identifying potential issues. Every safe choice you make is an investment in what is truly important, your health and your family.
In Solidarity, Pete Trinidad Sr. USW Local 6787 President
Please see the *NEWS* tab for information on MCS, PMA, and FBP positions that are posted at the Union Hall for current USW 689 members.
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Please see the *NEWS* tab for information on MCS, PMA, and FBP positions that are posted at the Union Hall for current USW 689 members. There is a job postings area in the office at the Union Hall with current and past job postings.
March 30, 2021 - As mentioned previously, the election of the USW Local 1944 Local Union Officers and Unit Officials 2021 will be held on Thursday April 22nd, by electronic ballot.
Le 30 mars 2021 - Comme communiqué précédemment, l’élection 2021 des Dirigeants et des Responsables d’unité de la Section locale 1944 du Syndicat des Métallos aura lieu le jeudi 22 avril, par scrutin électronique.
Les nominations se sont déroulées en mars lors des assemblées d’unité, puis elles ont été examinées par le comité d’élection des membres de la base (scrutateurs) pour déterminer l’éligibilité. La liste officielle des nominations peut être consultée ici.
Plus d’informations sur le processus de vote seront communiquées prochainement.
On March 20, 1991, the United States Supreme Court ruled that companies cannot discriminate against women by limiting their job opportunities because of potential reproductive hazards. Between 1979 and 1983, eight Johnson Control employees became pregnant. The blood lead levels of these pregnant employees exceeded the critical blood lead levels for individuals wishing to have children as established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As a result, Johnson Controls issued a policy that excluded pregnant women and women of childbearing age from jobs involving lead exposure.
The United Automobile Workers (UAW) challenged the implementation of this policy, stating that Johnson Controls was violating Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978. Employees involved in this legal case included a woman who had been sterilized to keep her job, as well as a woman who had experienced a pay cut after being transferred to a new job. After the case had been dismissed under the District Court and the Court of Appeals, the UAW asked for review of the policy by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Is a policy that excludes pregnant or fertile women from participating in jobs that may be hazardous to reproductive systems a form of sexual discrimination?
On March 20, 1991, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Johnson Controls’ policy discriminated against women by not requiring their male counterparts to also provide proof of infertility. In addition, the Supreme Court added that Johnson Control’s policy fell outside the scope of Title VII, arguing that the protection of fetuses is not an essential part of business operations.
This decision represented a step in the right direction for women, as it forced companies to consider women and men equally in the workplace. In addition, this decision gives women the freedom to make their own choices as to when a particular job is too dangerous for their well-being.
This case also shed light on exposures that were harmful to all workers. Lead is a disruptor of the endocrine system, which regulates hormones involved in the reproductive pathways of both men and women. Therefore, endocrine disrupters, including lead, can negatively affect the reproductive systems of both sexes. Similarly, every exposure that presents a reproductive hazard also has other health effects. For that reason, banning women from participating in certain jobs does NOT make the workplace safer, given that the lead exposure hazard is still present for all workers.
