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.
Le 4 septembre 2020 - Le Canada évolue rapidement, et l’automatisation modifie radicalement l’économie et la main-d’œuvre du pays. Les bas salaires et les conditions de travail dangereuses semblent être la norme. Les travailleuses et travailleurs ont le sentiment de ne pas pouvoir rivaliser et craignent de pouvoir être facilement remplacés s’ils se plaignent.
« Ces déclarations décrivent le contexte de ce qui est généralement considéré comme l’événement de la première de la fête du Travail au Canada, en 1872. Je trouve troublant qu’aujourd’hui encore, elles s’appliquent à ce que vivent actuellement de nombreux travailleuses et travailleurs. À l’époque, les syndicats étaient encore illégaux au Canada et les dirigeants de grève étaient arrêtés pour complot, ce qui revenait essentiellement à “tenir tête au patron”. Pourtant, malgré le contexte épouvantable, ces militants syndicaux, qui ont joué un rôle de pionniers, ont obtenu de nombreux droits du travail dont nous bénéficions aujourd’hui.
À l'époque, les choses n'étaient pas si différentes de ce qu'elles sont aujourd’hui. Bien que de nombreux progrès sociaux aient été réalisés, les entreprises n’ont jamais cessé de donner la priorité à leurs résultats financiers, au détriment de la vie et du bien-être de leurs travailleuses et travailleurs, dépensant des millions de dollars chaque année pour anéantir les syndicats et les tentatives de syndicalisation. La lutte de la classe ouvrière est toujours à pleine puissance. Les difficultés auxquelles nous faisons face en 2020 étaient déjà d’actualité en 1872. Pourtant, il y a 148 ans, la solidarité de ces travailleuses et travailleurs a changé l’histoire. Comme nous le savons, l’histoire a tendance à se répéter. Je crois que nous sommes à un moment où les travailleuses et travailleurs n’ont d’autre choix que de changer le cours de l’histoire une fois de plus. Notre génération a vu les riches passer de millionnaire à milliardaire, et pourtant le reste des travailleuses et travailleurs canadiens doit se contenter avec moins que jamais.
Si nous ne nous levons pas maintenant, quand le ferons-nous ? Si les travailleurs n’amorcent pas le changement, qui le fera ? Les fondations de l’avenir du travail doivent être posées avant que les corporations n’emportent tout avec elles. Il est temps d’agir et de sécuriser aujourd’hui les droits et les avantages dont les travailleuses et les travailleurs bénéficieront demain. C’est d’autant plus vrai maintenant que les négociations avec Telus approchent à grands pas.
Cette année, la plupart des événements se déroulant en ligne, nous serons nombreux à célébrer la fête du Travail de notre domicile. Cependant, le militantisme reste tout aussi possible et nécessaire dans un contexte de distanciation physique. Veuillez prendre un moment pour participer à un événement ou à une action de la fête du Travail organisé par un...
September 4, 2020 - Canada is changing rapidly, with automation drastically altering the country’s economy and workforce. Low wages and unsafe working conditions seem to be the norm. Workers feel they cannot compete, and they fear that they can easily be replaced if they complain.
“These statements describe the context of what was generally considered Canada’s first Labour Day event in 1872. I find it unsettling that they still apply to what many workers currently experience. At the time, unions were still illegal in Canada, and strike leaders were arrested for conspiracy to combine, which essentially was “standing up to the man”. Yet, despite this awful situation, pioneering labour activists won so many of the working rights that we enjoy today.
Things then were not all that different than what they are today. While a lot of social progress has been made, businesses have never stopped prioritizing their bottom line over the lives and wellbeing of their workers, spending millions of dollars annually to bust unions and organizing attempts. The working-class struggle is still on at full strength. The difficulties that we experience in 2020 were also being experienced in 1872 yet, 148 years ago, these workers’ solidarity changed history. As we know, history tends to repeat itself and I believe we’re at a time when workers are left with no choice but to change the course of history once again. It has only been in this generation that the word describing the rich shifted from “millionaire” to “billionaire”, and yet the rest of Canadian workers are left with less than ever.
If we don’t stand up now, then when? If workers don’t start the change, then who? The foundations of the future of labour have to be laid before corporations take it all. It’s time to take action and secure today the rights and benefits that will be enjoyed by workers tomorrow. These words ring all the more true now that bargaining with Telus is just around the corner.
This year, as most events will be held online, many of us will celebrate Labour Day from home. However, activism remains just as possible and as necessary in a world of physical distancing. Please take a moment to participate in a Labour Day event or action organized by a labour council near you.
Stay safe and healthy.”
Acting President Donna Hokiro
United Steelworkers Labour Day social media contest
What does solidarity mean to you? Post to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #USWLabourDay, and you will be entered in a draw to win some USW swag. There will be five draws for each district to win a selection of USW swag of your choice. More information here.
Nominations to the Local 1944-Telus Bargaining Committee’s Quebec position, one(1) to be elected.
Nominations to the Unit’s Local Union Delegated Meeting Delegate positions, four (4) to be elected.
The Unit is also entitled to four (4) alternates, to be elected in case any elected Delegates are unable to attend LUDM. Alternates will be the runners up from the LUDM Delegate election, in order of vote count, so please nominate enough members for the Delegate election so that a full complement of Delegates and alternates will be elected.
If you would like to join this meeting by Zoom web conferencing, please contact the office @ [email protected] to receive instructions.
Nominations au poste du Québec au comité de négociation Section locale 1944 – Telus, un (1) poste à élire.
Nominations aux postes du Délégué(e)s d'unité à l’Assemblée des Délégués de la Section Locale, quatre (4) postes à élire.
L'Unité a droit également à quatre (4) intérimaires, qui seront élus au cas où des Délégués élus ne seraient pas en mesure d'assister à l’ADSL. Les intérimaires seront les candidats qui auront reçu le plus de votes après les Délégués élus, par ordre de décompte des voix ; veuillez donc nominer suffisamment de membres lors de l’élection des Délégués afin qu’un nombre suffisant de Délégués et d’intérimaires soit élu.
Veuillez noter que les élections à tous ces postes se feront par scrutin électronique le 20 novembre 2020.
Si vous souhaitez joindre l’assemblée par web conférence Zoom, veuillez contacter le bureau pour recevoir les instructions : [email protected].
*LIBBEY BANKRUPTCY – AUGUST 28, 2020* ======================================
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*Libbey Bankruptcy – August 28, 2020*
* As you are aware, Libbey management has a motion under Sections 1113 and 1114 with the Bankruptcy Court in Delaware to reject our collective bargaining agreements, freeze our pension plans and eliminate retiree healthcare. The unions continue to bargain and have made a proposal based on the principle of shared sacrifice. Libbey Glass management and the company’s financial lenders shouldn’t expect to reorganize this company on the backs of its hourly workers. Executives, managers, and bankers alike should also sacrifice to save this 200-year old company. So far, this hasn’t been enough for Libbey management and their lenders.*
* As you are aware, Libbey management has a motion under Sections 1113 and 1114 with the Bankruptcy Court in Delaware to reject our collective bargaining agreements, freeze our pension plans and eliminate retiree healthcare. The unions continue to bargain and have made a proposal based on the principle of shared sacrifice. Libbey Glass management and the company’s financial lenders shouldn’t expect to reorganize this company on the backs of its hourly workers. Executives, managers, and bankers alike should also sacrifice to save this 200-year old company. So far, this hasn’t been enough for Libbey management and their lenders.*
As you are aware, Libbey management has a motion under Sections 1113 and 1114 with the Bankruptcy Court in Delaware to reject our collective bargaining agreements, freeze our pension plans and eliminate retiree healthcare. The unions continue to bargain and have made a proposal based on the principle of shared sacrifice. Libbey Glass management and the company’s financial lenders shouldn’t expect to reorganize this company on the backs of its hourly workers. Executives, managers, and bankers alike should also sacrifice to save this 200-year old company. So far, this hasn’t been enough for Libbey management and their lenders.
What Happens Next?
The bankruptcy judge has set court dates for the 1113/114 motions to be heard beginning on September 16,2020. The Unions’ lawyers will be ready to defend our contracts and will present witnesses who will show the gross unfairness of Libbey’s demands and the sensible solutions that we have offered. If the bankruptcy judge agrees with Libbey, and allows them to reject our contracts and terminate our retiree insurance benefits, Libbey will be permitted to terminate the existing contracts and implement their proposals.
What Has Management Demanded the Judge to Implement?
Libbey’s demands include:
The permanent closure of most of the Shreveport facility, with only the warehouse remaining and a transfer of the product we make in Shreveport to be made in China and Mexico with some equipment being moved to Toledo and most equipment going to Mexico.
A ten percent (10%) reduction in all wage rates in Toledo effective October 1st of this year. A ten percent (10%) reduction in all remaining wages rates in the Shreveport warehouse effective January 1st of next year (a two-month lag).
A so-called “snapback” of wage increases conditioned upon the company reaching what it calls “free cash flow” triggers that the company admits likely would not provide any wage increase until the first quarter of 2024 and no guarantee we would get the increases then.
Increase the cost of health benefits of union employees effective January 1, 2021, with management maintaining a right without any further bargaining to change plan terms in 2022 and thereafter to match the benefits paid to non-represented employees at any time.
A permanent freeze of the current pension plan that would prevent the accrual of any additional service credit.
Nominations to the Local 1944-Telus Bargaining Committee’s British Columbia Clerical/Traffic position, one(1) to be elected.
Nominations to the Unit’s Local Union Delegated Meeting Delegate positions, six (6) to be elected.
The Unit is also entitled to six (6) alternates, to be elected in case any elected Delegates are unable to attend LUDM. Alternates will be the runners up from the LUDM Delegate election, in order of vote count, so please nominate enough members for the Delegate election so that a full complement of Delegates and alternates will be elected.
Please note that Elections to all of these positions will take place by electronic ballot on November 20, 2020.
If you would like to join this meeting by Zoom web conferencing, please contact the office @ [email protected] to receive instructions.
** [5]La Section locale 1944 des Métallos est à la recherche de jeunes membres de moins de 35 ans qui souhaitent se joindre au Comité Prochaine Génération. L'objectif de ce Comité est de se rapprocher des plus jeunes membres, afin de mieux répondre à leurs besoins et préoccupations. Les membres de ce Comité se réuniront par téléconférence afin de discuter des questions pertinentes et d'émettre des recommandations sur les actions possibles du syndicat pour stimuler la participation des membres Prochaine génération.
** [5]La Section locale 1944 des Métallos est à la recherche de jeunes membres de moins de 35 ans qui souhaitent se joindre au Comité Prochaine Génération. L'objectif de ce Comité est de se rapprocher des plus jeunes membres, afin de mieux répondre à leurs besoins et préoccupations. Les membres de ce Comité se réuniront par téléconférence afin de discuter des questions pertinentes et d'émettre des recommandations sur les actions possibles du syndicat pour stimuler la participation des membres Prochaine génération.
