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Information Update #19 May 17, 2012 U.S. Steel Violates Collective Agreement Last week Information Update wrote of a rumour that U.S. Steel planned to hire retired members of Local 1005 to perform jobs in the plant while 46 steelworkers are laid off. Information Update expressed its hope that these rumours would not turn out to be true. Unfortunately, we established that U.S. Steel did indeed canvas some 100 electrical, mechanical and utilities 1005 retirees and some retirees who have skills running the Z-line and the galvanize line to work in the plant on a contract basis. We are informed that about 50 retirees were subsequently hired as salaried employees, not hourly waged employees who would then be members of Local 1005. They started on Sunday, May 13, 2012 on a contract running until November 12, 2012. To their credit, another 50 or so retirees refused. The rate for mechanical is about $33 an hour but the Company is paying these retirees about $40 an hour. What the Company is doing is a blatant violation of our contract. Section 2.05(a) states that “Supervisors shall not do work ordinarily performed by bargaining unit employees except for (i) Instruction and training of employees, and (ii) Emergency work when employees are absent or not available when required.” The fact that these retirees are hired on salary means they can only work as supervisors to train employees to do the job. They cannot perform the jobs themselves. read more
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are pleased to welcome Local 1005 back to Ivor Wynne this season. Stop by Scott Park before game For 1005 Tailgate! Friday September 28th vs. Montreal Alouettes @7:00 pm $15 per ticket Limit of 4 per person Availability based on first come first serve To purchase visit the 1005 Union Hall during business hours Sales start May 16
Your Executive 2012 Information Update #18 May 10, 2012 Unjustified Lay-Offs Beginning the week of April 29, 46 workers were laid off by U.S. Steel at Hamilton Works. Despite the damage layoffs cause the individual workers, their families and the community, U.S. Steel ignored the union’s advice to train workers for the galvanize line. The first coils started going through the galvanize line on May 8; prime coils started on May 9. More trained workers would enable the company to run the line at 15 or 20 turns, which would also require trained employees to run the temper mill, the RTL, the batch anneal, etc. Instead, not only did the company lay off the so-called unslotted workers, but there are rumours it seeks to hire retired union members as salaried employees to run the galvanize line. The Union sincerely hopes there is no truth to these rumours. If true, there will be hell to pay, an unnamed Union source told Information Update. read more Information Update #17 May 3, 2012 May Day in Hamilton Saying Loud and Clear What We Stand For May Day is marked all over the world as the day when workers and their allies engage in actions to give voice to their demands. Today, the major concern is their fight against the inhuman neoliberal system which is causing havoc in their lives and turning societies upside down. The fact that workers all over the world speak out on the same day, expressing demands which everyone has in common, shows the potential power of the working class movement to turn things around and stop the dangers which lie ahead. In Hamilton, some 200 workers from different sectors of the economy and community members joined a contingent of members and retirees of Local 1005 USW for a rally, march and BBQ. Delegations from various CUPE locals, members of other steelworker locals, along with a delegation from CAW Local 222 Retirees and members from CAW Local 504 were present. read more Information Update #16 April 26, 2012 Day of Mourning April 28 Declare an End to Workers Not Reporting Accidents for Fear of Reprisals! - Gary Howe, Vice-President, Local 1005 USW - On April 28 we take time to mourn the loss of those brothers and sisters who have been killed on the job. We remember them and we think about their families. We reiterate our support for injured workers – they must receive the compensation to which they are entitled. We also think about the brothers and sisters who have occupational illnesses and live in fear of losing benefits and pensions, instead of being looked after as they deserve. Our thoughts go out to all the workers who have no union protection and are forced to work under unacceptable conditions, especially migrant workers, undocumented workers, national minority workers, women and youth. We like to think that we have made major strides in preventing the workplace tragedies which take place. The fact is that so long as we do not control our working conditions and companies are able to put the almighty dollar ahead of human rights and concerns, we are in trouble. We face major challenges with corporations such as U.S. Steel that use behaviour-based safety programs. At U.S. Steel Canada we have seen workers who affirmed their right to refuse unsafe work in the coke ovens fired quickly after invoking their rights. This is not only shameful in this day and age, but against the law. So how do companies get away with it? read more Employment Insurance Sign up All Laid Off Members from US Steel We will have a sign up at the Union Hall all next week (April 30-May 4) for whoever needs assistance applying for EI. Any other questions will also be answered at the Union Hall or by phone @ 905 547 1417.
Information Update #15 April 19, 2012 Oppose the Layoffs! Layoffs Are Not Solutions! Local 1005 has been informed that U.S. Steel plans to lay off no less than 50 workers after April 28, 2012. On Thursday, April 12, the Union was given a document outlining who is slated to be laid off allegedly because “their seniority and qualifications under 7.06 of the basic agreement do not keep them in the plant.” The Union opposes these layoffs which are carried out for the Company’s self-serving reasons. All skilled steelworkers are a significant asset to the Company which should train them on all aspects of steel production so as to make sure it can carry out production on a sustained basis. Instead, the Company treats the workers as a liability, not an asset. read more Information Update #14 April 12, 2012 Harper Government’s Bogus Freedom of Information Where Is the Information? Where Is the Freedom? Shortly after the Federal Government announced that they had dropped their Investment Canada Act lawsuit against U.S. Steel, a member of the Local 8782 USW executive, on behalf of their local, sent a request to Industry Canada under the Access to Information Act: “I would like information regarding the court settlement reached between U.S. Steel Inc. and the Federal Government of Canada. To be more specific, I would like a copy of the agreement’s terms and conditions resulting in settlement. Settlement was reached in December, 2011.” read more Information Update #13 April 5, 2012 Local 1005 Participates in Rally Against Rio Tinto in Alma, Quebec On March 31, 2012 a busload of Local 1005 USW members and pensioners, family members and friends travelled to Alma, Quebec to participate in the rally and demonstration called by the Syndicat des Métallos Local9490. The Local 1005 delegation joined the 8,000-strong demonstration which included Rio Tinto workers and their families and a broad participation from the community, as well as contingents of workers from all over Quebec along with a delegation from Kitimat, BC and another from Toronto. read more Giovanni Spagnoli - 78 year old 1005 Pensioner runs in Round the Bay Race
Information Update #12 March 29, 2012 Local 1005 Says No! to the Austerity Budget! With the release of the Ontario budget on March 27, 2012, it is important to keep two things in mind: we did not cause the deficit, and austerity measures will make things worse. Why is it that society is being forced to pay for a crisis it did not cause and for deficits run up, not in the public interest, but in the interest of a rich and powerful minority? Neither the federal nor provincial levels of government have a mandate from the people to impose an austerity agenda that will wreck our social infrastructure even further. This budget is unacceptable. Besides this, Local 1005 condemns the threats made by Finance Minister Dwight Duncan when he introduced his budget. Referring to contract negotiations in the health and education sectors, he said, “[I]f no agreement can be struck to protect Ontario’s progress in education and health care, we are prepared to propose necessary administrative and legislative measures to protect the public from service disruptions.” read more Information Update #11 March 22, 2012 Union Executive in Its Entirety Elected Through Acclamation Local 1005 USW is pleased to inform you that the entire executive of Local 1005 USW was elected through acclamation following a one month call for nominations and a membership nomination meeting held at the union hall on March 14. The executive is: President: Rolf Gerstenberger Vice-President: Gary Howe Recording Secretary: Dennis Van Meer Financial Secretary: Ron Wells Treasurer: Tony McLaughlin Trustees (3): Joe Cantwell, John Davis, Tim Blackborow Guards (2): Jim McColl, Dan Bates Guide: Gary Seguin Plant Grievance Chairman: Jake Lombardo Grievance Secretary: Ron Wells Division 1 Grievance Chairman: Dennis Van Meer Division 2 Grievance Chairman: no nominations Division 4 Grievance Chairman: John Davis MANA Unit Chairperson: Tim Blackborow MANA Unit Secretary: Joe Mancini MANA Unit Grievor: Keith Bain “This executive will continue to fight to defend the rights of all active and retired members of Local 1005 in a manner which involves them in sorting out the problems they and the union face,’” Rolf Gerstenberger said. read more Rolf Gerstenberger acclaimed as head of USWA 1005 Union leader Rolf Gerstenberger has been re-elected to another three-year term at the head of United Steel Workers Local 1005. Gerstenberger and the entire executive, ran unopposed at the local’s nomination meeting. "This executive will continue to fight to defend the rights of all active and retired members of Local 1005 in a manner which involves them in sorting out the problems they and the union face," Gerstenberger said in a news release. "We face an uncertain future but this is not a reason to panic or fend for ourselves as the company would like us to do. They would like workers to think that they can cut better deals as individuals than if we all stand together and fight for what belongs to us by right," Gerstenberger added. Returning leaders include vice-president Gary Howe, recording secretary Dennis Van Meer, financial secretary Ron Wells, treasurer Tony McLaughlin and plant grievance chairman Jake Lombardo Tim Blackborow was also acclaimed as chairman of the 1005 unit at the Max Aicher North America plant. Gerstenberger added governments must be held to account when it comes to upholding workers' pensions. The endorsement follows a lengthy and bitter lock out of Local 1005 members at U. S. Steel. The company locked the gates to enforce its demands for radical changes to pension plans. Once so large it had to hold its meetings at Ivor Wynne Stadium, Local 1005 now has about 650 members. read more Information Update #10 March 15, 2012 Worrisome Situation at Dofasco You Be the Judge - Jake Lombardo - Do you remember this?: Our Product Is Steel, Our Strength Is People! Where have these words from Dofasco’s catchy slogan gone? Is it true today? After speaking with my relatives and friends, it is a real shock to hear what is happening to Dofasco workers and retirees. They comment that they did everything that was asked of them. They didn’t organize to get a union; there were no work disruptions – they just went to work and did their jobs. They kept their mouths shut and got whatever raises or benefits the Stelco workers got. Sometimes, to keep them quiet, they even got a little more. All this ended last October. As soon as U.S. Steel was finally able to extort concessions from the Stelco workers, especially closing the pension plan to new hires, ArcelorMittal Dofasco sent a letter to all employees – 10 days later – saying it too would be closing the plan to new hires. Now Dofasco management is coming after the workers, both active and retired, for even more. Going forward it wants a defined contribution plan for new hires; it wants to cut health care; cut vacations; get rid of pre-retirement for those who don’t have 30 years; get rid of life insurance; change the formula for the fund and who knows what else. read more Information Update #9 March 8, 2012 Worrisome Situation at Dofasco Some Changes to Dofasco Workers’ Benefits During the week of March 5, the workers at Dofasco are being called into meetings and informed that: • if they do not have 30 years of service as of January 1, 2012 they will not receive the 10 week plus 5 week “service award” when they retire; • dental coverage is reduced from 80% coverage to 65% coverage; • dispensing fees on prescriptions will no longer be paid; • the company will only cover generic drugs; • new hires after January 1, 2012 will not receive benefits when they retire; and • vacations will be capped at five weeks for new hires. Workers will receive documents outlining the changes to the various savings funds by the end of this week. read more Information Update #8 March 1, 2012 Defending Our Pension Plan Local 1005 Sets up Volunteer Committee to Study “Framework Document on Risk?Based Regulation” Local 1005 continues to be concerned over attempts by companies such as U.S. Steel to get out of their pension obligations. Already attempts to undermine our pension plan have been made through fraudulent bankruptcy proceedings and by closing the defined benefit plan to new hires, thereby setting the stage to eliminate the defined benefit plan altogether. In addition, governments at various levels are refusing to provide a secure retirement at a Canadian standard to all Canadians. read more EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTIONS For the NEXT THREE (3) YEAR TERM NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT CANDIDATES SHALL BE NOMINATED FROM THE FLOOR AT THE NOMINATION MEETING OR MAY BE SUBMITTED IN ADVANCE ON A FORM PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL UNION.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14TH, 2012 @ 4:15 P.M. LOCAL 1005 OFFICE 350 KENILWORTH AVE. NORTH (AUDITORIUM)
Information Update #7 February 23, 2012 Local 1005 USW Delegation Visits Locked-Out Rio Tinto Workers On February 18, a delegation of Local 1005 USW visited the locked out Rio Tinto workers in Alma, Quebec. During the visit Local 1005 announced its worker-driven nation-wide Adopt-a-Worker campaign to raise $77,800 a month to support the locked-out workers. The Alma workers loudly applauded when President Rolf Gerstenberger said it was to give individual workers and their local unions in every province and sector of the economy the opportunity to raise their voice against what these multinationals are doing to extort concessions and impose unfettered monopoly right and the refusal of governments to hold them to account. “When we support you, we fight for ourselves. Your struggle is our struggle,” Rolf said. read more Alma Quebec lockout video 2012 Information Update #6 February 16, 2012 Local 1005 USW Starts Adopt-a-Worker Campaign to Support Rio Tinto Workers in Alma, Quebec Local 1005 USW is informing you about its Adopt-a-Worker Campaign in support of the 778 workers locked out by Rio Tinto Alcan in Alma, Quebec. The aim of the campaign is to raise $77,800 a month on the basis of a $100 contribution per Alma worker from local unions, individuals and organizations across the country. Local 1005 USW calls on you to help make the campaign a success by contributing what you can and getting others to contribute. This mobilization will inform workers coast to coast to coast of what Rio Tinto Alcan is doing and the courageous struggle of the Alma workers to defend their rights. From Alma, Rio Tinto will move its offensive to plants it plans to close in Quebec and abroad, as well as to Kitimat, BC where the contract expires this July. By letting the Alma workers know that their fight is our fight, this mobilization will contribute to defeating any attempt by Rio Tinto to isolate them and their just fight against the company’s demand for unfettered subcontracting rights. read more Information Update #5 February 9, 2012 U.S. Steel Reports 2011 U.S. Steel’s 2011 report sets a somewhat optimistic tone for continued recovery in North America. Steelworkers, however, should read it with caution as it is meant to encourage investors, not explain how things really stand. While it sets an optimistic tone, it is clear it hedges its bets for the coming period to calculate how all the uncertainties will play out, including the contract negotiations with its American workforce. Despite this, Information Update points out that the report has nothing in common with the Chicken Little sensational comments in the local newspaper that the sky is falling on Hamilton Works, which we conclude are socially irresponsible and meant to discourage workers and have them accept economic collapse as inevitable. Coupled with the devastating news about the closure of the Caterpillar/EMD plant in London, workers are supposed to feel powerless because they have been rendered voiceless by governments whose only mission is to cater to the demand of the monopolies to be competitive on global markets. This goes to the heart of our problem with the U.S. Steel report. The report marginalizes steelworkers in general and Canadians in particular. It reduces the actual producers of the wealth, that Pittsburgh is divvying up at our expense, to passive on?lookers of their own fate. All control and decision?making is centred in private hands in Pittsburgh. read more Information Update #4 February 2, 2012 Chicken Little Squawks Again – Buyer Beware Sensationalism in journalism is nothing new but the Hamilton Spectator seems to take the cake. Call us naive but the extent of its social irresponsibility never ceases to amaze us. It seems to be very keen to rile people up. What unknown greater purpose is served by trying to panic steelworkers and their families and the businesses which depend on them? In our opinion, the Spec’s banner headline published February 1 was sensationalist and so was the story. The headline read, “A Blow to Steeltown – No Steelmaking in Hamilton Plant in Foreseeable Future.” The story spoke about layoffs in the offing as a result and created an overall impression of impending doom. The union was on the January 31 conference call between U.S. Steel CEO John Surma and analysts and investors. Not only does the headline fail to convey that Surma was talking about expectations for the first quarter 2012 but the story’s focus on layoffs created a wrong impression. In our opinion it is inflammatory. The workers already know that guarantee of employment for workers in the steelmaking departments was only 26 weeks. If this isn’t an example of Chicken Little squawking that the sky is falling when this time even an acorn didn’t fall on his head, we don’t know what is. The fact remains that the CEO did not announce anything the workers did not already know. The Spec’s headline could have read, “Nothing New, CEO Says.” read more Information Update #3 January 26, 2012 London Day of Action Local 1005 Joins Thousands Supporting Caterpillar Workers
Information Update #2 January 12, 2012 Canadian and U.S. Workers Stand as One As we reported last week, Electro- Motive Diesel/Caterpillar in London, Ontario has locked out its 400 workers and is demanding they submit to draconian conditions which include wage cuts of up to 50%, elimination of benefits and pensions, and threats to move production to Muncie, Indiana. Reports are circulating that the company is advertising for managers for the Muncie operation. The ads require experience in a “non-union” environment. U.S. Steel Must Train Current Workers During the 2010-2011 negotiations, when the final agreement on the new contract was reached, U.S. Steel made an issue that it would start up production of the Finishing End (the Cold Mill and Z-line) but it would not start up the Blast Furnace for the foreseeable future. It said it would employ all 622 workers for 26 weeks, but 150 workers were “unslotted” – they would not hold jobs in the reduced production schedule. The union maintained that the 26 week period should be used to train the so-called unslotted in production jobs, especially in the Cold Mill and Z-Line areas which are short of qualified people due to retirements. The company agreed that this was a good idea and gave the impression that this would be done. Now, three months later, so called unslotted workers have yet to be trained to do the Finishing end, but the company wants to increase the shifts the plant is going to run and there are not enough trained workers. What should the workers do about that? read more
Hamilton Labour Joins OFL’s Day of Action Against Caterpillar and Corporate Greed
The Hamilton and District Labour Council is chartering buses to take workers and solidarity partners to London for the massive rally in support of the members of CAW Local 27 who were locked out New Years Day by Electro-Motive Canada, a subsidiary of U.S. industrial giant Caterpillar Inc. This profitable employer is demanding a 50% pay cut and deep concessions to pensions and benefits. They also intend to use scabs to keep the plant operational, although many suspect the real agenda is to move the work to Indiana. In the words of OFL President Sid Ryan, this rally will “define 2012 as a year of labour action and solidarity”. Get on the Bus!
Buses will depart at 8:00 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 1130 Barton St. East in Hamilton. The rally takes place at Victoria Park ( Wellington St and Dufferin Ave) in London starting at 11:00 am
To register for a seat on the bus, call the Labour Council at 905 547 2944 or send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Information Update #1 January 5, 2012 Local 1005 USW Expresses Fighting Unity with Rio Tinto and EMD Workers Local 1005 USW expresses its militant support for the just cause of the workers opposing Rio Tinto in Alma, Quebec and Electro-Motive Diesel in London, Ontario. Both companies are attempting to impose narrow self-serving interests onto the workers at the expense of everything and everyone, no matter what damage it causes. The issue for the workers in Alma and London is the same as the issue we face: how to make our fight effective. Local 1005 spent more than 11 months fighting a phony lock out because U.S. Steel thought that it could use the mafia method of extortion to achieve its aims. We learned that it is by opposing the very thought that problems can be sorted out by resorting to acting with impunity that we can find a way forward. It is not always so obvious what the way forward will be, but definitely, we know that concessions where we give up our security and cannot exercise our rights are definitely not a solution to anything. Even these companies keep coming back for more! The demands these companies make on us are to deprive us of a guaranteed security in retirement and a livelihood on the basis of which we can sustain ourselves and our families and our regions and have peace of mind and live in dignity, not on bended knee. Whether it is pensions or demands to contract out or reduce our wages or any other demand, these companies refuse to negotiate. It is their way or the highway. read more A Very Special Thank-You From USW Local 1005 On behalf of the Executive, Members both active and retired we would like to thank the Hamilton Community, the Unions and the Businesses who stood strong behind us in our fight against U.S. Steel during the 11 month Lock Out. Without your help our struggles would have been much harder to deal with. People like you who defended and supported our efforts did not go unnoticed. We greatly appreciate your assistance and we would like to wish you all. Click on the link below to see the names of the individuals and groups that supported us. SEASONS GREETINGS FROM LOCAL 1005
Information Update #45 December 15, 2011 Harper Government Capitulates to U.S. Steel Local 1005 USW condemns the Harper government for letting U.S. Steel off the hook for the damage it has caused the Hamilton region steel communities since seizing Stelco in 2007. The announced $50 million settlement in the Attorney-General’s lawsuit is a pittance compared with the hundreds of millions of dollars in actual and potential value that U.S. Steel has ripped out of our communities. U.S. Steel’s commitment to continue operations only until 2015 sounds like a threat to close operations completely at that time and abandon the pension funds. Local 1005 will immediately step up the work to defend the pension funds using all means at our disposal. We have not received any guarantees either from the company or from governments that they will make the pension funds secure and whole by 2015. On the contrary, U.S. Steel executives have made threats saying that the pension funds and other benefits are not their responsibility as they were contracted with Stelco. read more Information Update #44 December 8, 2011 USW Basic Steel Industry Conference Canadian Steelworkers Stand with American Steelworkers as They Prepare for 2012 Contract Negotiations On Dec. 1, the United Steelworkers held a Basic Steel Industry Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to prepare for the 2012 contract negotiations. A Local 1005 USW delegation comprised of President Rolf Gerstenberger and executive members Dennis Van Meer, Tony Mclaughlin and Ron Wells joined 200 other delegates representing USW locals across the U.S. and Canada employed in the steel industry, including those at U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal. The negotiations involve 41,000 American steelworkers whose contracts expire in September 2012. The conference received eleven presentations on issues of concern to the negotiations including an assessment of the industry prepared by “Steel Market Intelligence” and power point presentations on “The U.S. and World Markets”; “Raw Material Update”; “Taking on the Global Economy,” amongst others. Information was also presented on the status of the Steelworker Pension Trust and the Voluntary Employee’s Beneficiary Association (VEBA) plans. These are programs which the USW has put in place since the steel industry abandoned more than 240,000 pensioners from 2000 to 2003 and because of the imposition of two-tier pension plans – the defined benefit plan and the defined contribution plan. read more Information Update #43 December 1, 2011 Local 1005 Thanks Ontario Workers and Unions for Support Four executive members of Local 1005 USW, Rolf Gerstenberger, Gary Howe, Dennis Van Meer and Jake Lombardo attended the Ontario Federation of Labour Convention from Nov. 21-25. They exchanged experiences with many of the 1,400 delegates attending the Convention. During the strike appeal session, Rolf specifically thanked the OFL and the many workers and union locals for their support during the 11-month phony lock-out imposed on the steelworkers by U.S. Steel. He emphasized the significance of the opposition by workers and their unions to the attacks of the monopolies, denouncing the back to work legislation against postal workers and Air Canada workers as well as attempts by corporations like Vale Inco and U.S. Steel to act with impunity. read more Information Update # 42 November 24, 2011 Steelworkers and Rail Car Workers Call Demonstration in Support of Canadian Wheat Board We are demonstrating on Friday against the Harper government’s wanton destruction of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB). His actions to railroad through Parliament Bill C-18, the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, even though the majority of Prairie farmers oppose it, has significant ramifications for the livelihoods and way of life of not just prairie farmers but also the rest of us. Because of the Canada-Europe Free Trade Agreement (CETA) and now the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) the plan is to also dismantle all marketing boards. This will profoundly affect Ontario and Quebec farmers and the way of life of all Canadians. All those who work in industries related to food processing and the agricultural sector will also be affected, as will everybody because we all eat food. read more
Anniversary of U.S. Steel’s Phony Lock Out
Necessity to Hold Governments to Account On November 21, the Ontario Legislature opens with a Speech from the Throne. On the same day, an “Economic Summit” gets underway as does the Convention of the Ontario Federation of Labour. In all of this a crucial question for steelworkers and the people of Hamilton is: Who is going to hold governments to account? The “Speech from the Throne” is sure to tell us all how we must tighten our belts for the greater good while the government continues the course started by Mike Harris to open Ontario for business. In the name of prosperity and job creation, everything was done to cut spending on social programs and gut them. Talk about eliminating deficits and reducing debt under Mike Harris increased the debt and, since then under McGuinty, jobs have continued to disappear with increasing speed and tons of money has been handed over to corporations in the name of job creation. In the case of the former Stelco, a $150 million “loan” upon exiting bankruptcy protection made $100 million forgivable if the company, now U.S. Steel, meets its commitments under the law to make the pension fund solvent. If that is not cynical, what is? read more Christmas 2011 Plant Gate Collection Wednesday December 14th, 2011 Main Gate 5:30am – 7:00pm As the festive season draws near our thoughts go out to those less fortunate. Please take this opportunity to help by giving generously. We will do everything possible to keep the traffic going smoothly.
Information Update # 40 November 10, 2011 Return to Work Union Keeps Foremen in Line Overall the Union and workers report that the return to work at Hamilton Works is going smoothly. Most of the workers have reported back with only 25 members still missing. The main problem the Union is looking out for and dealing with is any attempts foremen might make to circumvent the seniority rules in order to place someone they favour in a job which rightly belongs to someone else. As you know, the Company announced it would not be starting up the Hamilton Works’ blast furnace which refers to the primary end of the operation. They are only running the coke ovens, by-products, the cold mill and the Z-line. This requires about 500 workers but the workers forced them to take back all 733 current employees for at least 26 weeks. This requires that all workers are placed in the jobs they are entitled to and that all workers are provided the required training for the job, especially those who would normally be working in the primary end. The Union committee in charge of the return to work is comprised of Jake Lombardo, Ron Wells and Dennis Van Meer. They report that after the contract was accepted four weeks ago, the first three weeks were dedicated to the safety and health training for our members. The workers came back in three waves. The Union and Company have been meeting on a weekly basis to have a smooth transition and get the right people in so we can remove salaried people off bargaining unit jobs, Jake explained. read more
Information Update # 39 November 3, 2011 U.S. Steel Executives Report 3rd Quarter Results U.S. Steel’s 3rd qt results and October 25 conference call have little information directly related to Hamilton or Lake Erie Works. One of the few comments came from CEO Surma who said, “With the ratification of a new three-year labour agreement at Hamilton Works on October 15, 2011, we expect to restart the steel finishing facilities in a staged process late in the fourth quarter. In addition to the idled facility carrying costs [reported at $40 million per quarter. – Information Update], we expect to incur approximately $30 million in costs related to the ratification of the Hamilton Works labour agreement and associated facility restart costs.” read more
$1,000 Pension Payment The ratification one time Lump Sum payment of $1,000 will be paid out to all eligible pensioners the last week of November 2011.
Information Update # 38 October 26, 2011 Workers Start Returning to Work
U.S. Steel has a policy that before workers can return to work after layoffs, strikes or lockouts they must undergo a week of health and safety training. Beginning October 18, 2011, 210 workers started returning to work for 40 hours of health and safety training. They are assigned to various jobs in the coke ovens, cold mill and Z-line departments. The second group of about 205 workers began their health and safety training on October 24 with the final group beginning October 31. Local 1005 would like to bring to your attention that each group of returning workers should have 250 workers. It is therefore clear that the rosters of returning workers are not complete. read more Information Update # 37 October 18, 2011 Tentative Agreement Ratified On Saturday October 15, members of Local 1005 USW ratified a three-year contract with U.S. Steel. With 612 of 733 eligible voters casting a ballot, 61 per cent voted in favour of the contract and 39 per cent were opposed. Local 1005 pointed out after the vote that all members were well informed about the contract. “We wanted to make sure all our members were fully aware of the situation they face and of the responsibilities towards not just themselves and their families, but also towards the retirees, the future generation of workers, their union and their community,” Local 1005 President Rolf Gerstenberger pointed out. It is also clear that practically nobody was pleased with the contract which contains the two major concessions U.S. Steel would not budge on – it gives up indexing on pensions and deprives new hires of a defined benefit pension plan. Despite this, to the best of their ability and for as long as it still had meaning, active and retired members of Local 1005 showed U.S. Steel in no uncertain terms that Hamilton steelworkers will kow-tow to noone. Tentative Agreement Has Been Ratified!
The contract was accepted by 61 %. We have made a huge effort so that the members can make an informed vote on whether to accept or reject this contract. We wanted to ensure that they are fully aware of the situation they face and of the responsibilities towards not just themselves and their families, but also towards the retirees, the future generation of workers, their union and their community. This whole process has shown that there are serious challenges facing us going forward. To our Members: We have met with the company and they will start returning members to the plant as early as Tuesday October 18, 2011 for Health & Safety training for a week. This training will take place over the course of three weeks. Once your safety training has been completed you will be placed in the plant. The company will start making phone calls to all active members starting tomorrow October 16, 2011 to advise you of your return to work date. Benefits will be effective tomorrow Sunday October 16, 2011. If you have changed your phone number since the lockout of November 7, 2010 you need to call the company and inform them of your current phone number. If you intend to retire you can pick up Intent to Retire form at the Union Hall. Any other questions can be answered by calling the Union Hall 905 547 1417. A Tentative Settlement Between
United Steelworkers Local 1005 And U.S. Steel Canada Inc. - Hamilton Works Highlights of the three-year agreement Information Update #36 October 11, 2011 U.S. Steel’s Attempts to Argue “Common Sense” in Federal Court Backfire When Arrogance and Stickhandling Give Rise to Abject Humiliation Abject: adjective 1. (of a situation or condition) Extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading. 2. contemptible; despicable; base-spirited: an abject coward. 3. shamelessly servile; slavish. Synonyms: miserable - mean - vile - wretched - despicable - poor Information Update is happy to report that on October 6, steelworkers won a small victory in federal court. All the definitions of the word abject above apply to what steelworkers witnessed there when U.S. Steel lost its appeal for the second time. “It was truly amazing to see the mighty U.S. Steel brought to its knees for its incredible arrogance of thinking that it could appeal a second time the same decision it already lost once despite having absolutely no new law to argue,” Local 1005 USW President Rolf Gerstenberger, present in the court, told Information Update. read more Information Update #35 October 3, 2011 Workers Outraged at U.S. Steel’s Refusal to Negotiate in Good Faith Well over 1,000 active members of Local 1005 and retirees filled the hall where the September 29 Information Meeting on the status of contract talks with U.S. Steel was held. They received a report on the latest developments from President Rolf Gerstenberger, with additional presentations by other members of the Local’s Negotiating Committee Jake Lombardo, Tony McLaughlin and Gary Howe. The workers applauded the Negotiating Committee’s rejection of the company’s refusal to negotiate and the union’s refusal to dignify the company’s arrogant demand for an answer to what it called its “offer” with a response. read more INFORMATION UPDATE #34 September 26, 2011 Local 1005 to Hold Second Information Meeting Please be informed that on September 29 Local 1005 USW is holding a Second Information Meeting to update its members and retirees on the status of its contract talks with U.S. Steel. As you know, Local 1005 met with the company on September13. It then held a Membership Meeting on September14 and a President’s Forum (the Thursday meeting) on September 15. At both meetings, the Negotiating Committee informed members and retirees about the Company offer. It then met with the company once again on September 19 to present the workers’ concerns about the Company’s offer following which the Local held an Information Meeting on September 21. read more Information Update #33 September 19, 2011 USW Local 1005 to Hold Information Meeting on Negotiations Wednesday, September 21, 2011 – 7:00 pm Michaelangelo Banquet Centre 1555 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton A week ago, on September 13, US Steel presented USW Local 1005 with what it said was a new comprehensive offer of settlement for a new contract. Local 1005’s Negotiating Committee received the offer and adjourned the meeting until today. It then presented the offer to the Local Executive and a verbal report on the offer to its monthly membership meeting on September 14. It proposed a motion which passed unanimously to hold an information meeting on Wednesday, September 21 “so that the Negotiating Committee can present a report on the offer and the workers can receive the information they require to consider all their options.” The resolution noted that the offer presented by U.S. Steel is “substantially the same as the offer presented prior to locking the workers out on November 7, 2010, as concerns the demands to give up indexing of pensions and permitting new hires to go into a defined contribution plan instead of being part of the defined benefit plan. read more Information Update #32 September 12, 2011 To All Active and Retired Members and the Hamilton Community Negotiations with U.S. Steel What Can We Expect? As you know, a lawyer for U.S. Steel called USW Local 1005 to inform us that U.S. Steel would present us with a new comprehensive offer on September 13. Since then, active and retired workers have been mulling over what to expect and where we go from here. In this regard, a general opinion has emerged that says the workers do not expect much from U.S. Steel as concerns what they will offer. They expect it to be a refurbished version of the same demands. They wonder whether U.S. Steel will use the occasion to again challenge the union to hold a vote on its demands. One rumour has it that U.S. Steel is too cynical for its own good and that if no settlement is reached before the winter, it will wait until the cold sets in and workers are suitably starving to call a vote at that time. read more Information Update #31 September 5, 2011 U.S. Steel Calls Conciliator We are pleased to inform you that on August 31, 2011 we received a call from the conciliator informing us that U.S. Steel had a comprehensive settlement to offer USW Local 1005. A meeting has been organised for September 13, 2011 to put the offer on the table for discussion. USW Local 1005 can only consider the fact that this meeting has been called by USS to be a positive development. We have of course accepted the invitation to attend the meeting. In October 2010, before U.S. Steel imposed its phony lockout, it categorically declared that no negotiations on a new contract would take place unless USW Local 1005 agreed to give up indexing of pensions and agree to close the pension plan to new hires. Since USW Local 1005 has definitely not submitted to this dictate, does the fact that USS has called a meeting and is to put a comprehensive offer on the table for discussion mean that it has given up its demand for these two preconditions and that finally we can engage in good faith bargaining? read more
Information Update #30 August 29, 2011 Hear Ye, Hear Ye – USW Local 1005 Weighs In In approving an injunction against USW Local 1005, the judge declared that Local 1005 had provided no proof that the bricklayers crossing its picket line were scabs. This is a hilarious statement given, as the judge said, scabbing is legal in Ontario and that refuting proof of scabbing is not a requirement to grant an injunction! Despite this, several affected parties seem to think they have been vindicated by the judge’s pronouncement – notably Hamilton’s own Benedict Arnold, U.S. Steel’s “I lost my GPS” Trevor Harris and now several others who seem to think the bricklayers deserve an apology for being called scabs. So we thought we would weigh in on the matter. By any definition one wants to use, performing the work of Local 1005 members, or facilitating others to perform the work of 1005 members, is scabbing. read more Information Update #29 August 22, 2011 1.1 Billion Reasons Why U.S. Steel Should Settle with Local 1005 Lately we have all been reading the paper, listening to the radio and watching CH news and what do we read, see and hear? That U.S. Steel would rather crater Hamilton Works than settle with 1005. Since November 7, 2010 when U.S. Steel locked the gates and put the workers on the streets, our Local permitted the company to keep the coke ovens running. In fact it has done everything possible to make sure the plant could be properly maintained and that the coke ovens would not be harmed as a result of U.S. Steel’s shutdown. As concerns the work on the treatment plant, the company that was doing the work to build the coke oven water treatment plant pulled out its equipment once the lock-out occurred and U.S. Steel has never raised the issue with the Union. read more
Information Update #28 August 12, 2011 What It Means to Be Realistic Analyzing the objective conditions in the steel sector, the conclusions we draw from this analysis are in sharp contrast to the contempt for us expressed by U.S. Steel executive managers and our local Hamilton newspaper and the boorish comments from the steel experts it generally quotes. In reporting on the demands of Local 1005 members and retirees for their rights against the unjust refusal of executive managers of U.S. Steel to bargain in good faith, the fluctuation of steel prices since 2009 is raised as a reason why our demands are not realistic. The issue of steel prices has long concerned Local 1005. We have said consistently that these price fluctuations are detrimental to the economy and not sustainable, especially in a crucial basic sector such as steel. read more Information Update #27 August 5, 2011 Negotiating Committee Gets Resounding Endorsement The Spirit of ’46 Alive and Well at Local 1005! On August 3 USW Local 1005 held a Special Meeting at the request of 13 union members to consider the question: Do you support the strategy of the negotiating committee? More than 1,200 active and retired members of Local 1005 attended the meeting. President Rolf Gerstenberger presented the report of the negotiating committee, followed by ninety minutes of discussion. More than 25 people spoke to the question and then the assembly voted overwhelmingly in support of the negotiating committee. Of 510 active members present (of a total of 680), only 30 voted against the union strategy. Information Update #26 August 2, 2011 Time to Restart Production at Hamilton Works The U.S. Steel shutdown of Hamilton Works is now entering its ninth month. The estimated cost to the company for the shutdown of steel production is around $77 million per quarter in direct costs and lost potential net earnings. Economic conditions in the North American steel sector are now markedly different from last autumn when USS CEO John Surma said “bad economic conditions” forced the idling of the blast furnace at Hamilton Works and subsequent lock-out of USW Local 1005 steelworkers Nov. 7. The refusal of CEO Surma to negotiate with Canadian employees at Hamilton Works is needlessly wasting valuable company revenue. Presently all North American USS mills except Hamilton Works are operating at near full capacity. The hit on net earnings is evident in the second quarter (2Q) USS financial report. The company admits that idling costs of Hamilton Works are $40 million per quarter. The loss in potential net earnings is similar. The figures show an average realized flat-rolled price per ton of $803 for the quarter compared with $700 a year ago and a low of $647 during fourth quarter (4Q) 2010. The higher realized price and sales pushed up quarterly net earnings for the North American flat-rolled segment to $374 million compared to $111 million during the same quarter a year ago and a loss of $36 million for first quarter (1Q) 2011. The $374 million in net earnings for 2Q means the company missed approximately $37 million of potential net earnings for the quarter given that Hamilton Works accounts for 10 per cent of the flat-rolled segment. read more Information Update 65th Anniversary Special Edition 65 Years and Still Fighting CONGRATULATIONS! On the occasion of the 65th Anniversary celebration of USW Local 1005, the Executive of Local 1005 greets all its members, pensioners, pensioner's spouses, the entire labour movement and all of Hamilton. During World War II and in 1946, Stelco steelworkers of Local 1005 stood as one with their community and country to fight for a better world for themselves and others. They built a better world through their heroic struggles during the war against fascism, in '46 and throughout the years. In 2011, we steelworkers are determined to defend what they built before us to which we contribute throughout our lives. We are determined to go forward to a secure future for ourselves, our children and grandchildren. We did not inherit the Spirit of '46 to leave this world in worse shape than what we were given. We thank all of our members for upholding the Spirit of '46 and fighting for themselves and others. We thank the trade union movement, the Hamilton community and others across Canada for standing with us in defending our rights and the rights of all. We firmly believe that our security lies in our struggle to defend our rights and the rights of all. read more
Information Update #24 July 18, 2011 Workers’ Arts and Heritage Centre Joins Us to Celebrate 65th Anniversary of Local 1005! Information Update is pleased to inform you that Hamilton’s Workers’ Arts and Heritage Centre (WAHC) enthusiastically agreed to join the work to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the founding of USW Local 1005 and will be putting together a display for the July 23 all-day event at Gage Park. The Workers’ Arts and Heritage Centre has extensive archives on the history of Local1005 and the labour movement in Hamilton and is preparing an exhibition under the theme “The Spirit of ’46.” The display which will be featured on July 23 is part of an exciting collaboration between the Centre and Local 1005 which will include producing an educational historical exhibit that will tour Steeltown in the fall. read more Information Update #23 July 4, 2011 The People vs U.S. Steel NDP Leader Andrea Horwath Joins Locked-Out Steelworkers on the Line ”I’m certainly not happy that a company like this can tell your retired sisters and brothers that the pensions they thought they’d earned aren’t going to be there. That’s just not the way we should be doing business in Ontario or Canada,” Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath told locked-out steelworkers on the line on June 28. Andrea, who is also the MPP for Hamilton Centre, was accompanied by David Christopherson, MP for Hamilton Centre, USW National Director Ken Neumann and introduced by Local 1005 President Rolf Gerstenberger. They were given a militant reception by about 100 workers. read more Information Update #22 June 27, 2011 Rally in Support of Locked Out Steelworkers The People vs. U.S. Steel Local 1005 is pleased to inform you that on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Provincial NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, also our MPP for Hamilton Centre, will be visiting the picket line at the Wilcox Lockout gate to rally support for our just cause. Since November 7, 2010, U.S. Steel has kept us in a phoney lockout. Its aim is to extort concessions on pensions despite the legal commitments it made to the Government of Ontario when it promised to maintain the current pension regime until 2015. read more Information Update #21 June 21, 2011 U.S. Steel’s Pyrrhic Victory Despite Injunction Steelworkers Still Have 8.6 Million Reasons Why No Means No! In thirty minutes on the morning of June 16, 2011, the Ontario Superior Court approved an application for a permanent injunction submitted to the Superior Court by the Attorney General of Canada (AG), restraining United Steelworkers Local 1005 “from impeding or delaying the operation of the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge; and delaying any ship from entering or leaving Hamilton Harbour.” The AG was named as the applicant and Rolf Gerstenberger as an individual and as a representative of the members of USW Local 1005 and persons presently unidentified, were named as the respondents. The workers packed the courtroom and demonstrated outside the hearing against the move to criminalize their attempts to hold U.S. Steel to account for the economic damage it is causing the workers, their families and Hamilton by using its dominant position to extort concessions from the workers. read more Information Update #20 June 13, 2011 Steelworkers Defend Themselves and Their City It is already known that on Friday (June 10) the Superior Court approved two interim injunctions against USW Local 1005. Steelworkers and citizens of Hamilton are once again amazed by the speed with which injunctions are passed against the workers whose only “crime” is to defend their rights while the companies can operate with impunity and this is not considered a problem at all. “For more than seven months the workers have been subjected to a phoney lock?out,” Rolf Gerstenberger told Information Update. “Prior to that it was shutdowns and layoffs, a workforce cut down through attrition, etc. The economic interests of the workers and the city of Hamilton are harmed to the tune of millions of dollars in lost wages, taxes, and services. The lives of thousands upon thousands of human beings are disrupted – that is men, women, children and old folk who are forced into economic, mental and physical insecurity. Does the government threaten cease and desist orders against U.S. Steel? No! Does it resort to injunctions outlawing U.S. Steel from its harmful activities? No! But no sooner the actions of the steelworkers become effective, bam...what are called the ‘economic players’ together with various government departments, their representatives, lawyers and the courts go into action against the workers.” read more Information Update #19 June 6, 2011 Steelworkers Upbeat About Their Anniversary The preparations for Local 1005’s 65th Anniversary Celebration are in full swing. Information Update spoke with 1005 retiree and long time activist Tom Pollock, one of the organizers of the event. Tom said, “The preparations are looking very good. The businesses in the community are getting behind us with astronomical support. We have about 75% of the food commitments as well as the infrastructure is almost all complete. It will be a great day.” Information Update also spoke with Executive Member Tony McLaughlin, who is also a member of the organizing committee. “There are five bands lined up to perform already,” Tony said. “They all have some connection with Stelco,” he said, adding that other entertainment is also lining up, especially for the children. “It is a family affair. It will be a great day,” he said. read more Letter from Department of Justice to Local 1005 Information Update #18 May 30, 2011 Join Local 1005 to Celebrate 65th Anniversary of Its Founding! USW Local 1005 is inviting all members, pensioners, their families, friends and supporters and the entire Hamilton Community to celebrate the 65th anniversary of its founding on July 23, 2011. The anniversary will be kicked off with a celebration on Saturday, July 23, at Gage Park from 11:00 a.m. to 12 midnight. This is also an occasion to celebrate the contributions which all Hamiltonians have made during the past 65 years to make the community what it is today. Everyone is welcome! read more URGENT To Affiliated locals and friends of the Hamilton and District Labour Council. DO NOT CROSS THE PICKET LINE SET UP BY THE MEMBERS OF USW LOCAL 1005 WHO HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT SINCE NOVEMBER 7, 2010. Solidarity is essential if workers are to succeed in beating back the demands of unreasonable employers. This unity extends beyond those on strike or locked out to brothers and sisters in other unions. The labour movement has long maintained that attempts to break the resolve of fellow union members by crossing a picket line to assist their employer continue to operate, and, especially, to do the work of those on strike or locked out is contemptible and reprehensible. Such behaviour is intolerable and cannot stand! read full letter from HDLC The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed US Steel's challenge to the constitutionality of the Investment Canada Act. Information Update #17 May 24, 2011 Keep Stelco Producing! Steelworkers and Community Members Oppose Removal of Stelco Coke On the evening of May 18, some 70 workers and community members held a protest on the Hamilton Lift Bridge to stop Canada Steamship Lines’ vessel Paul Martin leaving with coke from Hamilton Works. Local 1005 Vice-President Gary Howe, reiterated to reporters that “there’s a demand for steel in Canada and we feel [U.S. Steel] should be starting up Hamilton and making steel in Canada for Canada.” On Saturday, May 22, workers, pensioners and community members again occupied the bridge all day Saturday to prevent the same ship taking away another load. Hamiltonians are adamant that the coke be used for its intended purpose of production at Hamilton Works. read more
Information Update #16 May 16, 2011 Local 1005 Did Not Lock Out Its Members –Why Are Some Forces Trying to Create Panic? Since 2003, huge pressure has been put on Hamilton steelworkers to give up our pension plan while we have seen three different owners all take huge profits from Stelco. It is important to calmly look at the current situation and see how ridiculous it would be to give in to the current corporate bully attack. In my opinion, it is in U.S. Steel’s interest to start up Hilton Works again. But it still insists on getting workers to give in to their demands. Think about it – the price of steel has gone up considerably since we were locked out. U.S. Steel CEO John Surma even gave himself a $8.6 million raise but wants our 900 members to shaft new hires and vote to shaft our 9,000 pensioners because U.S. Steel says it won’t index pensioners’ pensions anywhere else. I was present at the Steelworkers Hall on August 27, 2007, when CEO Surma, Chief Financial Officer Gretchen Haggerty and U.S. Steel representatives came up. Surma said U.S. Steel did its due diligence. U.S. Steel has no problem with our contract or pensions, and in fact they are such a good employer they put $400 million voluntarily into the U.S. Steel pension plans, Surma said. USW Local 1005 President Rolf Gerstenberger responded saying that we were concerned about being the last Canadian steel company. U.S. Steel’s takeover of Stelco was analogous to U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign country such as China or Russia, he pointed out. Some guarantees were necessary, he said. Surma said he understood. They were not too happy with paying $38.50 a share for Stelco, Surma added. This situation gave former Stelco CEO Rodney Mott and crew $1.2 billion in profit that they took out of the company when it was sold to U.S. Steel. read more
Speech on Parliament Hill May 1st 2011 by Rolf Gerstenberger The Harper government is the worst since 1945. His government has no respect for the post-war norms that established certain equilibrium in society between the working class and monopolies. Every aspect of life is tilted towards serving big business including annexation of Canada to the U.S. Empire. The Harper regime and similar ones in Quebec and the provinces have no respect for the rights of Canadians, let alone recognize their sovereign right to decide their own affairs. The Harper regime must be stopped! Today, the Harper government and others are annexing not only the economy but even government ministries, the armed forces and border agencies into a United States of North American monopolies and their wars of aggression and occupation. USW Local 1005 calls on workers across the country and in Quebec to take up the work to change the situation through your own efforts, no matter which party or combination of parties forms the next government. read more
Media Advisory: OFL President Sid Ryan to Join Sunday Rally on Parliament Hill for Pensions and Workers' RightsOTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 29, 2011) - The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) will be joining locked-out members of USW Local 1005 as they take their protest about wages, pensions and foreign-ownership directly to Parliament Hill on the eve of the federal election. On Sunday, May 1, 2011, up to 20 busloads of Hamilton Steelworkers and supporters from different parts of the province will travel to Ottawa to demand that the federal government defend pensions and hold foreign-owned corporations accountable. OFL President Sid Ryan will be speaking at the rally and will be on hand for media interviews.
Information Update #14 April 29, 2011 Join Us on May 1st on Parliament Hill! USW Local 1005 Calls on You to Take Up the Work to Change the Situation! On November 2, 2010, in a meeting with a mediator, the union and U.S. Steel, U.S. Steel Canada dictated its terms to renew the collective agreement The Union must agree to end indexing for the 9,000 pensioners and to close the pension plan to new hires, U.S. Steel said. There were to be no negotiations unless these conditions were met.
Information Update # 13 April 25, 2011 Join Us on May 1st on Parliament Hill! USW Local 1005 Calls on You to Take Up the Work to Change the Situation! Hamilton Steelworkers and their supporters bring the fight for Canada’s pensioners and working families to Parliament Hill. We demand government that serves workers and their communities, not foreign corporations. Steelworkers Local 1005 members have been locked out of their jobs by U.S. Steel for six months. Fight back! read more Information Update # 12 April 18, 2011 Concessions Are Not Solutions! 8.6 Million Reasons Why... U.S. Steel should give up its phoney lock-out of Stelco workers and get back to producing steel, the workers are saying. Economically, U.S. Steel stands to gain more by making and selling steel than sustaining its phoney lock-out, they say. And this is true. When we say that “concessions are not solutions” it is a well established economic truth. Any general suppression of the workers’ purchasing power intensifies the economic crisis because it has a multiplier effect -- it depresses spending generally, wrecking the economy. It even drives down the claims of most monopolies. read more Information Update # 11 April 11, 2011 The Spirit of ’46 -- No Means No! 8.6 Million Reasons Why... Not surprisingly, locked-out 1005 members and pensioners have not received kindly the news of U.S. Steel CEO’s “compensation” package. According to the Hamilton Spectator (March 22) John Surma’s total compensation package for 2010 included a “$1.1 million salary, $4.3 million worth of stock, $2.1 million in stock options, $458,640 in non-stock income, $3.9 million in pension changes and $188,000 in ‘other income.’” This was a $8.6 million increase from his 2009 “compensation” package. MAY 1st PARLIAMENT HILL
video clip for May 1st in Ottawa Information Update # 10 April 4, 2011 Support the Just Struggle of the Public Sector Workers in Toronto! A contingent organized by USW Local 1005 will participate in the Toronto Rally for Respect on April 9. The rally opposes the attacks by politicians in authority in Toronto and the Ontario legislature against public sector workers. No workers deserve this abuse of their dignity. Toronto public sector workers are a valuable asset to the City of Toronto. The financial difficulties Toronto faces are not caused by city workers nor by public services. Workers and their allies throughout the province and country stand with them and demand that those in political authority stop these senseless attacks. Information Update #9 March 28, 2011 Parliament Hill May First -- Join Local 1005 USW! Break New Ground to Defend the Rights of All! We invite everyone to join us on May First on Parliament Hill to put forward the demands of workers in all sectors of the economy in defence of the rights of all. This is also an occasion to express support for our fellow workers in the United States, Mexico and the world over who are also being made to pay so as to permit an ever smaller number of monopolists to grow even richer. read more Call for Action - May 1st Workers’ Day in Ottawa On Sunday, May 1st join Steelworkers in Ottawa to celebrate the achievements of the labour movement throughout the world. On January 29th the "Line in the Sand" was drawn by a Hamilton Day of Action that was a huge success for USW Local 1005. With the support of the entire labour movement, the stage was set for an epic battle against a huge multinational company, US Steel. This "Line in the Sand" can not be moved back. Join us in May in Ottawa. Letter from USW District 6 Director Letter of support from Teamsters Canada Local 879 Information Update # 8 March 19, 2011 USW 1005’s Press Conference Opposes U.S. Steel’s Latest Provocation On March 17 at 3:30 pm USW Local 1005 held a press conference to denounce the latest provocation by U.S. Steel to ship out the Coke made at the Hamilton Works. More than 150 workers participated in the Press Conference which was also addressed by Mayor Bob Bratina. Remarks by Rolf Gerstenberger, President of USW Local 1005 Paying Attention to the Facts Then & Now On October 5, 2007, Gretchen Haggerty, Chief Financial Officer of U.S.Steel, in a letter to the editor to the Hamilton Spectator, under the title "Stelco's Pensions safe with U.S. Steel" stated: "We would like to clear up any confusion and relieve any concerns Stelco's employees and pensioners may have about the security of their pensions on the closing of our transaction to buy Stelco.... We want Stelco's employees and retirees to know that we understand the fundamental importance of sound pension funding. We have had a large defined-benefit pension plan for decades. We take our obligations very seriously and are proud of the fact that today that plan is fully funded. In fact, over the last four years, we have made over $700 million in voluntary contributions to that plan. We will honour our commitment to the Stelco pension plans. That is our history and track record...." Now, the Hamilton Spectator (March 19,201) quotes Company spokesman Trevor Harris saying that ".... (Local 1005) union leaders continue to demand a contract settlement that would be hard for a healthier company than the former Stelco Hamilton plant to meet. U.S. Steel's Concern for the Economy - The Facts See article in the Pittsburgh Business Times, Thursday March 17. "Citing the company’s improvement within a challenging economic environment, the United States Steel Corp. Board of Directors increased the total compensation of Chairman and CEO John Surma in 2010 by more than three times what it was in 2009, according to U.S. Steel's proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. read more
Information Update # 7 March 14, 2011
U.S. Steel's Removal of Coke for Production to U.S. Press Conference Thursday, March 17 @ 3:30 pm USW Local 1005 Union Hall, 350 Kenilworth Avenue North USW Local 1005 is calling a press conference on Thursday, March 17 to address reports indicating that U.S. Steel has ordered the freighters "Atlantic Erie" and "Laurentien," both owned by Canada Steamship Lines, to come to Hamilton beginning March 24 to load 44,000 tons of metallurgical coke. This Stelco produced-coke is normally completely consumed in steelmaking at Hamilton Works. There are some 200,000 tons of coke sitting in Hamilton with a sale value of some $60 million. read more Information Update # 6 March 7, 2011
The Federal Budget -- Who Decides? Oppose Government Cutbacks to Public Services and Privatization of Federal Assets Like Canada Post! The federal budget which Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says will be tabled on March 22, among other things, is expected to follow through with the decision of the 2010 budget to cut program spending by $17.6 billion by March 2015 and "lead to a balanced budget" by that time. These cuts include a two-year freeze on salary and operating budgets "of all departments," a "strategic review of government operations" requiring all departments to assess their programs and identify five per cent of their lowest priorities and their "lower performing" ones, and the continuing review of government corporate assets, such as crown corporations, with three possible options: status quo, amendments or privatization. read more THE UNITED STEELWORKERS OF MONTREAL THE BAND
COMING TO THE WILCOX STREET GATE SATURDAY MARCH 5/11@ 3:00 PM
Montreal's beloved six-piece, the United Steel Workers of Montreal, have wowed audiences from coast to coast with the infectious draw of their unique brand of blue-collar alt-country. A potent mix of blues, jazz, country and swing, The USWM’s live performances are filled out with dry wit, tall tales and some outright lies. Dancing is optional but hard to avoid. click here for more details Information Update #5 February 22, 2011 May First on Parliament Hill STOP Harper! Demand that Governments Uphold Public Right, NOT Monopoly Right! On May First join USW Local 1005 and workers from all main sectors of Canada's economy to tell Harper with one voice that we oppose his government's program to pay the rich and trample the rights of the workers in the mud! The Rally and Demonstration on Parliament Hill on May First will express the workers' determination to resolve the crisis in favour of the people, not the monopolies. If a federal election is called at the end of March, the Rally will be an historic event. During a federal election the workers, irrespective of political affiliation, as the producers of the wealth and providers of the services Canadians depend on for their living, will be in Ottawa to directly speak in defence of their interests for the security of all. read more When is a gentleman not a gentle man?
Hamilton Steelworkers' Opposition to Secret Negotiations When is a gentleman not a gentle man? U.S. Steel CEO John Surma has accused USW Local 1005 of not being a gentleman. CEO Surma says that gentlemen keep negotiations for a new collective agreement "between us and them" and that "isn't always necessarily what they [Local 1005] do." read more
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