20 JULY 2010 – Saskatchewan Steelworkers Support Striking Regina Casino Workers
REGINA, SK – When over 400 Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) workers hit the picket lines at the Casino Regina gaming facilities on 3 June 2010, United Steelworkers were among those there to help out. USW Local 5890 members from the Evraz Steel plant in town (formerly IPSCO Regina) joined other members of the labour movement to show their solidarity for the striking workers. The PSAC had been in negotiations for a fair contract since the spring of last year (the contract expired on May 31, 2010), bargaining with an employer that is controlled by a Crown Corporation. The main issues at the bargaining table remain wages, a premium for night shift work and family leave provisions....... more

13 MAY 2010 – Steelworker Electrician Dies in Accident at Agrium Potash Mine Site
VANSCOY, SK – United Steelworkers Local 7552 members Edward Artic died instantly at the Agrium Inc. potash above ground mill on Tuesday afternoon, after being struck by a metal rigging device which fell 6 stories. Agrium closed all its operations on Tuesday and most of Wednesday. It also brought in grief counselors to speak with crews. The company also provided grief counselors for family members. “Our hearts go out to Edward’s family and friends,” says Kelly Reynolds, the union’s safety coordinator at the above ground operations. “There are no sufficient words which can express our grief to his family.” The 59-year father of two adult children was a highly respected individual who had 35 years experience on industrial worksites....... more

20 APRIL 2010 - Steelworker Locals and Union Activist Honoured for United Way Fundraising Achievements
SASKATOON, SK – Once again the United Steelworkers local unions supporting the Saskatoon and Area’s United Way have outdone themselves. Earlier this year Locals 8914 (Cameco), 7552 (Agrium), 7656 (Mosaic) and LU’s 7689, 7458 and 189 at the Potash Corp of Saskatchewan (PCS), were recognized for their extraordinary efforts in being workplaces that raised over $1.6 million. Click for enlargement of above photo. In addition the three PCS local unions were honoured to receive the Saskatchewan and District Labour Council’s Partnership Award recognizing the importance of a union/management partnership in the success of a workplace campaign....... more

21 OCTOBER 2009 – Saskatchewan Steelworkers Are Top Supporters of Saskatoon and Area United Way Campaign
SASKATOON, SK – In this prairie province’s central and north central regions the United Steelworkers are recognized as leading proponents of community-based services provided by United Way-supported organizations. And for good reason. In 2008, four USW-certified companies were rated in the top five workplaces for campaign fundraising. Steelworkers workplace locations for Cameco Uranium (LU 8914), Agrium Potash (USW Local 7552), Mosaic Potash (LU 7656) and the Potash Corp of Saskatchewan (LU’s 7689, 7458 and 189) donated over $1.1-million. It’s a number that has grown each year says Lily Olson, Coordinator of Labour Programs and Services of the United Way of Saskatoon and Area....... more

31 AUGUST 2009 – Steelworkers Advise Saskatchewan Government to Scrap Bill 80 and Maintain Legitimate Building Trades
TORONTO, BURNABY – United Steelworkers National Director for Canada Ken Neumann and Director for Western Canada Stephen Hunt have advised the government of Saskatchewan to scrap Bill 80 (The Construction Industry Labour Relations Amendment Act) in order to keep employer-friendly “unions” out of trades jobs in the province. The reigning Saskatchewan Party is pushing a bill that would promote organizations, such as the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), to undermine labour standards in the province and pave the way for conflict. Although the construction industry in the province is only 20 per cent unionized, Bill 80 would get rid of current law that stipulates that organized workers have to join a union affiliated with their trade, whether they are carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc. The USW directors say Bill 80 will have a negative impact on Saskatchewan workers and the plants where USW members are employed....... more

14 MAY 2009 – Bargaining in Tough Times: Union Makes Progress on Contract Language and Wages at Regina Based Company
REGINA, SK – With the current global economic crisis sweeping the steel industry it is not the best of times for collective bargaining anywhere. But a small group of USW Local 5917 members at Tube City IMS, a sub-contract operation on the Evraz NA (formerly IPSCO Regina) site, has worked hard to successfully negotiate a three year agreement with numerous contract language improvements and benefits and wages gains. Last week 30 members ratified the agreement, which provides across-the-board wage increases of 4 per cent in each of the second and third years. “We recognized the seriousness of the current economic downturn and decided to focus on contract language improvements in the first year,” says USW staff Rep Sonny Rioux who was the union’s chief spokesperson. Other committee members were chief shop steward Keith Donald and unit chair Pat Carrigan. ...... more

27 MARCH 2009 – Agrium Potash Workers Endure Extended Layoff Period as Negotiations Underway
VANSCOY, SK – About 280 United Steelworkers Local 7552 members at the Agrium Inc. Potash mine and operations here remained on extended layoff as contract talks proceed slowly. Local union president Kelly Reynolds reports there are about 100 members currently working. In the past couple of weeks there were not enough underground or surface operators for the company to make reduced operations viable. “We hope to see a return to work for the rest of the membership,” says Brother Reynolds, who notes that Agrium is holding onto potash contract prices it agreed to with offshore customers before the global economic meltdown began to occur last fall. “The employer is holding the line on negotiated foreign deals which set the price up to 800 per cent higher than the costs of production,” adds Reynolds. “This factor alone on part of the company should help facilitate a collective agreement with our union.”...... more

12 DECEMBER 2008 – Steelworkers Local 7552 Members Receive Layoff Notices at Agrium Potash Mine
SASKATOON, SK – Nearly 400 United Steelworkers Local 7552 members at the Agrium Inc Potash mine in Vanscoy, about 20 miles southwest of here, received layoff notices earlier this week. Their employer says the mine will shut down indefinitely beginning on February 10, 2008. Local 7552 president Kelly Reynolds told the media that not long ago the company predicted a “banner year.” He said workers have been told that there is too much inventory and not enough demand. The global economic collapse has seen credit dry up and potash orders diminish. Earlier in the week the Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan announce it was taking 2 million tonnes of potash out of the market in 2009. Although the Vanscoy mine’s general manager has told the media that the company will do “everything possible” to avoid a shut down, the notices were served to all employees....... more

26 AUGUST 2008 – Union Puts Pressure on Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan as Strike is in Third Week
SASKATOON, SK – As the Steelworkers strike against the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (PCS) is in its third week the union has continued putting pressure on the company to return to the bargaining table and negotiate collective agreements that address numerous outstanding issues including a fair sharing of the corporation’s record profits. In 2007, PCS made an astronomical $1.1 billion in profits, $16.1 million which were paid out in bonuses and stock options to company president Bill Doyle, who this year has his stock options estimated to be worth some $600-million. On Friday some 500 striking members from PSC operations in Cory (LU 7458), Allan (LU 7689) and Patience Lake (LU 189), family members and labour and community allies, held a rally outside PCS’s downtown headquarters here, calling for a return to the bargaining table. ...... more

15 AUGUST 2008 – It’s ‘One Day Longer’ for Striking Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Workers as they Seek Their Fair Share of Skyrocketing Potash Profits
SASKATOON, SK – United Steelworkers (USW) members, on strike against one of the province’s wealthiest resource companies headed by a president and CEO worth some $600-million in stock options, remain on strike and vow to stay on the picket line until a collective agreement is negotiated with the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (PCS). Since August 8, nearly 500 USW members have operated picket lines at three PCS operations. Some 180 Local 7458 members are out at PCS Cory, just west of Saskatoon, while some 270 Local 7689 members are on the line at the PCS Allan operation, southeast of the city. Meanwhile about 50 workers are on strike at the PCS Patience Lake solutions mine, north of Highway 16. ...... more

17 JUNE 2008 – Wheat City Metal Workers Back on Job After Ratifying Collective Agreement
REGINA, SK – During the first week of June striking Steelworkers Local 5917 members at the Wheat City Metals processing yard here agreed to end their 5-1/2 week walkout when they ratified a 41 month agreement. Thirty-seven members went on strike on April 23 mainly over the issue of compensation. Staff representative Mike Park, who led the bargaining committee that included local union president Eugene Burminski and Guy Siefert, notes that the new package works out to an average increase which exceeds 8.5 per cent per year. ...... more

6 MAY 2008 – Wheat City Metals Crew in a Scrap for Improved Wages and Benefits
REGINA, SK – They are taking job action over what is a straightforward battle over better wages and benefits. Thirty-seven Steelworkers Local 5917 members at the Wheat City Metals scrap yard, a division of General Scrap, wholly owned by SSAB IPSCO, will mark two weeks on the picket line on Wednesday. The crew went out after negotiations broke down over the issue of wage parity with other IPSCO operations and improvements to the pension plan. Staff rep Mike Park, who sits on the bargaining committee with unit chair Eugene Burminski and committee member Guy Siefert, says that the company has to stop treating the crew as “second-class” employees. ...... more

21 JANUARY 2008 – Saskatchewan Millworkers Remain on Indefinite Layoff: Local Union Calls for Government and Industry to Engage in Strategy to Save Mills
PRINCE ALBERT, SK – United Steelworkers Local 1-184 members have been enduring protracted indefinite closures at four forest industry operations with no end in sight. At the end of this coming April both the now Domtar Big River sawmill in Big River and Wapawekka Lumber mill outside of Prince Albert (the latter co-owned in partnership with Woodland Cree native bands) will have been closed for a two-year period. When those mills were sold, along with the giant Price Albert pulp and paper mill that employs 700, to Domtar by Weyerhaeuser in August of 2006, there was some optimism that they would reopen....... more

7 JANUARY 2007 – Southern Saskatchewan Area Council Makes SHF Donation to Food Bank
REGINA, SK - Before the Christmas break three locals unions from the Southern Saskatchewan Area Council got together to present the Regina and District Food Bank with a $1,500 cheque from the Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF). Representatives from LU 5890 (SSAB IPSCO Regina), LU 5917 (amalgamated local) and 6717 (Nexans, Weyburn) invited food bank director Wayne Hellquist to a luncheon on December 14, where they presented the cheque. ...... more

4 OCTOBER 2007 - Half-Century of Labour Relations at IPSCO Regina Marked by Major Celebration
REGINA, SK – To the many members who attended the historic event “it was one of the finest celebrations the membership had ever seen” says Steelworkers Local 5890 president Bill Edwards. “It was simple, tasteful, and well attended and organized,” he adds. For a half century the United Steelworkers have been certified to represent workers at the IPSCO Regina plant which has been taken over by the Swedish steel giant SSAB Svenskt Stal in the past year. On September 15 over 500 workers, family members and invited guests, both retired and active, gathered at the Turvey Centre to celebrate a long tradition of cooperation and mutual progress....... more

26 OCTOBER 2007 – Sask Party on the Wrong Track: Steelworkers’ National Director Ken Neumann
SASKATOON, SK – Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) and other working people in Saskatchewan need to reject the Saskatchewan Party’s agenda in November 7’s provincial election, says Ken Neumann, USW National Director for Canada. “I’m speaking not only as the leader of a major union in Canada, but also as someone who ...... more

30 MAY 2007 - Election of Plant Committee Marks Addition of Fifth Doepker Certification with Steelworkers
SASKATOON – On Tuesday United Steelworkers members elected their first unit officers at the Doepker Industries Ltd. plant located here, marking the union’s presence at the fifth plant owned by the company. ...... more

6 JUNE 2007 - Saskatchewan Local Still Reeling from Near Shutdown of Forest Industry
PRINCE ALBERT, SK – Steelworkers in the Saskatchewan forest industry are enduring extended periods of indefinite layoffs. Approximately 600 members are without work at the Weyerhaeuser Carrot River sawmill, Weyerhaeuser plywood plant in Hudson Bay, Weyerhaeuser Big River Sawmill and Wapaweeka Lumber sawmill, near here....... more

25 MAY 2007 – Nexans Weyburn Plant Keeping Busy after Saskpower Deal and Collective Agreement Signed
WEYBURN, SK – Steelworkers employed at the Nexans Canada wire and cable plant here are working full steam after ratifying their collective agreement earlier this year. And a renewed 5-year contract to supply the government of Saskatchewan will definitely help workers out, says 6717 president Paul Kuffner. ...... more

25 MAY 2007 - Nexans Weyburn Keeping Busy after SaskPower Deal and Collective Agreement Signed
WEYBURN, SK – Steelworkers employed at the Nexans Canada wire and cable plant here are working full steam after ratifying their collective agreement earlier this year. And a renewed 5-year contract to supply the government of Saskatchewan will definitely help workers out, says 6717 president Paul Kuffner....... more

26 FEBRUARY 2007 - Potash Miners Reach Three-Year Contracts in Saskatchewan
SASKATOON, SK – Last month two Steelworker locals representing some 650 workers at the Mosaic Potash mine in Colonsay and the Agrium Inc. Potash mine near Vanscoy, settled on three-year collective agreements, retroactive to May 1, 2006. ...... more

26 FEBRUARY 2007 - Potash Miners Reach Three-Year Contracts in Saskatchewan
SASKATOON, SK – Last month two Steelworker locals representing some 650 workers at the Mosaic Potash mine in Colonsay and the Agrium Inc. Potash mine near Vanscoy, settled on three-year collective agreements, retroactive to May 1, 2006. ...... more

15 NOVEMBER 2006 - Steelworkers Ratify Collective Agreement with Cameco at Uranium Mine and Processor
SASKATOON, SK - The membership of Steelworkers Local 8914 ratified a collective agreement with Cameco Corp. at the McArthur River Uranium mine and Key Lake processing facility on Monday. The agreement covers some 400 union members. ...... more

Hard Bargaining for Saskatchewan Miners
(posted 21 June 2006) SASKATOON - The United Steelworkers are in collective bargaining for over 600 members at two potash mines. Local 7552 is in negotiatons with Agrium Inc. at the company's mine in Vanscoy, about 20 km west of here. Meanwhile Local 7656 is in talks with Mosaic Potash in the community of Colonsay, east of town. ...... more

Anti-Harassment WorkplaceTraining toTake Place at Cameco Operations
(posted on 3 May 2006)SASKATOON, SK - The United Steelworkers District 3 is working to hold Anti-Harassment Workplace Training Sessions in this province's mining industry. District 3 Assistant to the Director Carol Landry and Winnipeg-based staff representative Lee Edwards recently visited this comunity to particpate in planning sessions with Cameco Corp to design anti-harassment training at two uranium mines. ...... more

Union Crews Ratify New Contracts at Doepker Trailers with 89 Per Cent Majority
(posted on 3 May 2006) SASKATOON, SK - United Steelworkers District 3 area supervisor Bernie Welke reports that workers at three Doepker Industries plants in Saskatchewan voted 89 per cent in favour of ratifying two new collective agreements on Monday. Votes took place for workers at the company's Moose Jaw, Annaheim and Humbolt operations, the latter ...... more

Indefinite Layoffs Hit Over 280 Members in Saskatchewan Forest Industry
(posted on 25 April 2006) PRINCE ALBERT, SK – Steelworkers Local 1-184 members at the nearby Wapawekka Lumber mill and the Weyerhaeuser Big River sawmill and planer in Big River, were laid-off indefinitely on April 19, a few short days after the closure of the remaining production facilities of the Weyerhaeuser pulp and paper complex here....... more

Local Waits for News on Future of Saskatchewan Mills
(posted 10 April 2006)PRINCE ALBERT, SK – Steelworkers Local 1-184, based here, is anxiously hoping there will be positive news on the sale of Weyerhaeuser's Big River sawmill and planer and the Wapawekka Lumber mill just outside this community. ...... more

7 JANUARY 2007 – Southern Saskatchewan Area Council Makes SHF Donation to Food Bank
REGINA, SK – Before the Christmas break three locals unions from the Southern Saskatchewan Area Council got together to present the Regina and District Food Bank with a $1,500 cheque from the Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF). Representatives from LU 5890 (SSAB IPSCO Regina), LU 5917 (amalgamated local) and 6717 (Nexans, Weyburn) invited food bank director Wayne Hellquist (see photo above) to a luncheon on December 14, where they presented the cheque....... more